Have you ever wanted to be a leader of the outdoors and didn’t know where to begin? Here is your chance to become a wilderness professional and lead groups of your peers through outdoor adventures.

The course consists of several parts, including a visit to Mississippi Palisades State Park for a backpacking trip to learn all the wilderness skills needed. On the backpacking trip you will explore the cliffs, valleys, hills, and trails that run through this section of the Mississippi River. You will complete quizzes from online resources that introduce you to different aspects of outdoor leadership, risk management, environmental ethics, and more. During the workshops you will discuss topics and practice teaching skills to help build your confidence to lead groups.

To become a trip leader you must complete all the steps in the process. The course will begin with a mandatory meeting will be from 4-6 p.m. October 12.  The training trip on October 14-16 will follow. The workshops will take place 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays, October 18 and 25, and November 1 and 15 from as well. Registration is open until October 11, and costs $30 for students/ members and $40 for nonmembers.

“This is a great opportunity to join with other students who are passionate about the outdoors and to develop skills you can use in and out of the wilderness. Student trip leaders are the backbone of the Adventure trips program” said Assistant Director of Adventure Programs Rachel Iversen.  “I always look forward to this course and seeing students grow into trip leaders that make an impact on ISU’s campus.”

For more information, visit the Adventure section of the website or call (309) 438-8427.