Internships & Training
We offer two main areas of study within our college level training: Outdoor Education & Leadership and Interpretive Planning & Services. Below is a listing of our workshops for those seeking a career as an interpreter, outdoor educator or guide. We are currently developing online versions of the Education & Leadership courses listed below. Every workshop is currently available as a live session, virtually or in-person.
For those interested in Interpretive Planning, we offer an internship program through which you will develop an entire site master plan. The plan will include critical components such as identifying site themes and key messages, designing layout and flow and developing interpretive programming and materials. The interpretive planning program is an intensive one-on-one course done through a combination of in-person, virtual and self-paced learning.
Trip Planning & Preparation Level I
Don't leave home without it!
Over 90% of backcountry rescue operations are the result of one thing: Poor planning - or no planning at all.
Whether it's weather, faulty gear, inappropriate clothing, lack of proper navigation gear or skills, lack of water or something else, the majority of SAR Ops are the result of insufficient (or no) planning. Often times, those fortunate enough to be rescued cite that they were just out for a front country day trip. Then things spiraled out of control and beyond the capabilities of their knowledge and skills. Don't be the next victim - learn these life-saving outdoor skills. before you step foot on the trail.
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
Trip Planning & Preparation Level II
Building upon TPP L1, this course is essential for anyone planning to step foot in the backcountry or lead others on an outing. Choosing a route, planning emergency contingencies, selecting support staff, selecting gear and supplies, planning for safety and security and more - this course walks you through the essentials of planning and preparation that a solid guide should employ. Being prepared for the unexpected when miles away from the safety, comfort and support of the developed world is the responsibility of the leaders. Drawing on their combined experience of over 25 years of wilderness leadership, OWLS co-founders Dawn and Nyssa share the good, the bad and the ugly of the many things for which one needs to prepare - and what can happen when you don't.
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
The Outdoor Classroom
Define & Design
Explore how to recognize and modify natural outdoor classroom spaces to facilitate safe and effective learning. Discover what makes some outdoor spaces better suited as an educational environment. Learn how to evaluate an area for its appropriateness as an outdoor classroom, recognize and mitigate potential pitfalls of an outdoor space, align teaching methods with its unique features, employ teaching methods unique to outdoor learning and plan for emergencies and unexpected situations. Maximize your students' experience by identifying and/or creating an environment that facilitates learning. Discover how to use natural features to enhance learning and create a safe environment in which to learn.
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits​
The Outdoor Classroom
Group Management
Proficiently plan for and manage a group in an outdoor education setting. Mitigate outdoor distractions, disruptions and hazards through conscientious planning. Identify and utilize natural spaces, resources, events, situations and tools that facilitate group management. Mitigate situations which may be detrimental, plan for accessibility and functionality with consideration for challenges unique to outdoor planning. (rising water, wind, downed trees, etc. - the site/access changes) Evaluate an area for its appropriateness to the specific lesson, as well as its educational and aesthetic value. Plan sequence and flow based on natural features of a site. Consider the site's audible and visual features and plan for unique features which present teaching opportunities.
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
The Outdoor Classroom
Maximizing Instruction
Confidently and proficiently design creative and meaningful lesson plans suited for outdoor learning. Capitalize on unique natural features as well as mitigate and/or exploit outdoor distractions and disruptions in a way that benefits learning.
Identify natural spaces, resources, events, situations and tools which will enhance the key points of your lesson plan. This course covers everything from planning for weather and changing conditions to identifying appropriate quantity and quality of chaperones and volunteers. Learn how to adapt timing and flow that works with, not against, the natural environment while allowing sufficient time to achieve key objectives. Build flexibility into the timing, flow, content and goals of the lesson. Accurately gauge when and why a trip should be canceled and be prepared to do so.
CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
The Outdoor Classroom
Strategies and Tactics
Lean how to maximize use of the natural resources unique to the natural environment rather than relying on the presentation of familiar materials outdoors. Which tools, equipment, materials and other items will enhance or detract from the outdoor learning experience? Avoid damage to tools and materials taken outdoors. Understand, plan for and execute the best use of technology in the outdoor learning experience and know when technology could detract from the experience.
Adapt teaching strategies, tactics and tools to the outdoors and know when and how to build flexibility into a lesson plan and make necessary adjustments. Adapt evaluation methodology to better suit the outdoor learning experience and
use strategies and tactics that encourage students to apply outdoor learning skills and equipment.
CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
The Outdoor Classroom
Emergency Preparedness
Plan and implement solid emergency plans for a variety of situations. Consider potential hazards, prepare and respond to them and make judgment calls critical to the safety and wellbeing of group members. Develop emergency plans based on the site’s existing resources and hazards. Select, assign and prepare competent aides who can be relied upon in an emergency. Set expectations and arrange groups and aides in a manner that minimizes risk. Understand the evacuation process and how to recognize an evac situation. Be able to make the call regarding whether to evac or not and whether the situation calls for a rapid or emergency evac as well as a partial or full evac. Be able to competently and confidently carry out an emergency plan that not only addresses the emergent situation, but also allows for post-emergency communications, re-orienting and re-grouping for the physical, mental and emotional well-being of all group members.
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
Land Navigation
Map, Compass & Pioneer Skills
You're hiking through a gorgeous canyon enjoying beautiful weather when suddenly...
The sky above turns dark and threatening. You open your phone map to realize there is no longer a signal or location services on your cell phone!
Failure of front country electronic devices is one of the top ways people find themselves in a desperate back country situation. But you're not worried because you learned this intricate skill set combined with an understanding of natural forces and phenomenon to reliably navigate the landscape. These skills are not only timeless, but they are also an excellent aid to "lost-proofing" in situations where modern technology cannot be relied upon - yet one's life may depend on it! An intriguing and beneficial way to nurture the imagination of your students while teaching earth science, geometry and geography!
Teaching Standards: Elementary & Middle School - Earth & Space Science, Math, Geography
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
Outdoor and Nature Learning
An Antidote to the Rise of AI
As the world becomes more technology-centered and AI continues to advance into every facet of our lives, it becomes increasingly critical for youth to spend time in nature. Outdoor learning benefits the mind, body and soul in ways that no artificial environment or tools ever could. Experiencing the unpredictable, awe-inspiring, challenging and rewarding aspects of nature and outdoor learning is invaluable for children to develop into socially adept, well-rounded human beings. Nature learning provides a wealth of benefits that AI cannot replace: Personal/human connection; Critical thinking skills; Exploration and Discovery; Self-actualization; Physical and mental nurturance, among others. Learn how to maximize and leverage these invaluable aspects of nature learning at a time when they are increasingly critical.
Teaching Standards: Elementary & Middle School Technology, Health, Interpersonal Skills
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CREDITS: 30 Contact Hours / 3 CPE Credits
The Science of Scenting Dogs
How do air scent dogs find a person who is lost deep in the woods or a cavern, over a mile away?
The science of scenting - from how the dog's nose works to where and how scent lingers in the air and travels is as interesting as it is complex. The dogs don't know or care how they do it - it comes naturally to them! But their handlers must understand the science behind scenting so that they can set the dog up to win - and help rescue someone who may be lost and injured in the backcountry!! Content ideas that will capture attention in the classroom.
Teaching Standards: Elementary & Middle School - Earth & Space Science, Math, Geography
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CREDITS: 15 Contact Hours / 1.5 CPE Credits