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Careers in the Field of Outdoor Recreation Leadership Introduction The field of Outdoor Recreation
Leadership is literally booming.
From humble beginnings, the American outdoor field has expanded from one high adventure school in 1963 to over 10,000 today. Just look at the advertisements for cars, shaving cream, or toilet paper. The outdoors is big and you can be part of it. The ORL program prepares you to enter into the field of Outdoor Recreation Leadership directly upon graduation. ORL graduates have certificates in Wilderness First Responder (medical), Avalanche Forecasting Level I (evaluation of safe winter terrain), Leave No Trace (minimum impact camping and travel techniques), and an optional Swift Water Rescue certificate (moving water rescue). Graduates will also have practical work experience via the one-hundred and thirty-five hours of internships they must complete. All in all, you will be well prepared to enter the exciting world of outdoor leadership. If you would like more information, check out this link to the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America's State of the Industry Report ORCA's State of the Industry Report or this website on general outdoor recreation GORP.com. What kind of pay can I expect? Well, this is a good question. In the past, pay rates were fairly low and it was sometimes difficult to find enough work to make a living. The industry was not well formed and, as is the case with teachers, the lifestyle, work hours, time off, and other less tangible benefits were considered to be adequate compensation for the work. Nowadays, the salaries are rising, the benefit packages are getting thicker and there is the definite possibility of finding year-round work by combining field work with administrative duties. Some of the more hardy among the outdoor leaders have found year-round employment by working the rivers in the summer and skiing in the winter or they simply follow the seasons around the world and continue to do the one thing they love to do. The pay varies with the job. You can expect anywhere from $500.00 a summer working as an entry-level camp counselor to $30,000+ per year as an full-time instructor at a public or private school. One thing is clear, the people who get into the outdoor leadership field do it because they love what they do and they wish to make a difference in the lives of others. Just click here to get back to the top of the page.
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Last modified: May 04, 2007 |
As more and more people move into the cities, more
and more of them wish to escape and recreate in the great out-of-doors. They
will need qualified persons like you to take them there. 