Thank you to our 2022 Workshops!
Applying Situational Leadership
Presented by Guy deBrun, James Madison University Lecturer Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation
Situational leadership suggests that effective leaders understand that their groups' level of readiness depends on the situation. Furthermore, leaders adjust their leadership style based on the performance readiness of the group. This session will introduce participants to the Situational Leadership Model, explain how to determine performance readiness, and explain how to match style with the group's readiness. Finally, participants will explore their own leadership preferences with a diagnostic tool called the Expedition Leadership Style Analysis.
Fun with Mike and Lester (and Ropes and Knots)
Presented by Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures, Owner/Guide, and Mike Ellsworth, Liberty University, Director of Outdoor Recreation
Do you want to add some useful knots into your knot toolbox? Do you know some knots, or have some interesting ways to teach them that you would like to share? Join us, the hapless and not-so-expert paddler and climber, to play with rope!
Hydaway Tour
Liberty University’s Hydaway Outdoor Center provides a great outdoor resource to LU students. The facility includes an outfitter that provides rentals, 8-acre lake, Pavilion and Student Center for events, challenge course/zipline and access to the 3,500 acres of trails along Liberty Mountain. Come and get a tour of the facility with one of our student managers. Space is limited to 12 as we will be taking a shuttle for the 8-minute drive.
Leadership Beyond a Title
Presented by Seth Carswell, Roanoke College Outdoor Adventures Outdoor Guide
How one can be a leader without having a leadership title? How to be an essential part of a team and become a leader of your own life? This session will increase leadership skills, promote team development and promote individual development.
Leadership Lab: The Four Facing Directions of Leadership
Presented by Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures, Owner/Guide
What have you done recently to keep improving your general leadership approach and skills -- read some books, worked with a mentor? This interactive workshop will introduce you to the 4 facing directions of leadership (Inward, Outward, Upward, and Forward), and then guide you through several experiences and conversations intended to deepen your personal understanding and skills. You will reflect on individuals and experiences that have been influential in your life, and then, using your current position as a context, develop goals and strategies to equip you for your next steps in your professional and leadership journey.
No Roof Rack? No Problem!
Presented by RVA Paddlesports
Learn how to strap your kayaks safely on the roof of your car, even without a roof rack! Don't lose your precious cargo on the road due to faulty knots. In this workshop, we'll go over how to properly prepare the roof of your car (with or without roof racks), strap your boat down, and prevent your ropes or straps from getting damaged on the drive.
Path to Professional: Next Steps to your Next Job
Presented by Sasha Griffith, James Madison University Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs, and Stacey Ellis, Lord Fairfax Community College Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Pursuing a career in the outdoor recreation industry can take multiple different directions. Through an interactive discussion, where current job listings will be evaluated for transferable knowledge, skills, and abilities, participants will delve further into employment opportunities in the outdoor recreation industry. Participants will take away tips and tricks on the types of careers available, where to look for employment, and how to diversify experiences to increase employability in multiple areas within the outdoor recreation industry.
Rock Wall Tour
Liberty University boasts a wide variety of rock wall amenities for their students. These include a 40-foot tall climbing tower with 6 routes and an arch, 4,000 square feet of bouldering walls and a state-of-the-art “Grasshopper” board that boasts a totally customizable bouldering experience. Come and see the wall and meet our Rock Wall Coordinator, Jon Anderson.
Roundtable: Wilderness Medicine in the Collegiate Setting
Presented by Candace Brendler, James Madison University, Graduate Assistant, Adventure & TEAM programs
Join this roundtable discussion to share strengths and areas for growth in programming around Wilderness Medicine in the collegiate setting. The goal includes identifying gaps in training and resources needed to move forward. We will use a Driving Question Board protocol to discuss the following: How do we use Wilderness Medicine to support Adventure programming? Be ready to generate questions and participate in group discussion. We will also discuss different structures around Wilderness Medicine training, online vs. hybrid vs. in-person training, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion topics, and compile a list of recommended resources.
Show Me The Money: Trends in Outdoor Spending
Presented by Jeremy Armentrout, Radford Student, and Anja Whittington, Radford University Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism
The outdoor retail industry has hit a record high in sales in Virginia. While this is great for the outdoor economy, the economic cost of participating in outdoor activities serves as a constraint for many participants. This presentation will share research on outdoor spending trends in Virginia. The presenter surveyed 200+ retail spenders at Great Outdoor Provision Company located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and at Walk About Outfitters located in Blacksburg Virginia. Learn about what Virginians are willing to spend on outdoor equipment, how much is too much, and the factors that limits one's participation.
Supporting Trans Students in the Field
Presented by Taylor Petty, Virginia Tech Venture Out Coordinator, Adventure Recreation and Custom Programs
Trans students are out there: as our staff, on our trips, and participating in our programming! They deserve instruction planned with them in mind. This workshop will take a look at common language used by the LGBTQ+ community, discuss areas of programming where we could be perpetuating the gender binary, and make a plan for supporting all students in the field. This workshop will be highly interactive with small group discussion and scenarios. Come willing to learn and make mistakes.
Trip Leader Prep Course: How to Train Before You Hire
Presented by Candace Brendler, James Madison University, Graduate Assistant, Adventure & TEAM programs
Do you have an outdoor adventure program that provides Trip Leader Training? Or are you looking to grow your training program? This presentation will showcase a sample curriculum and itinerary for a trip leader training course, discuss pros & cons of the structure, offer insights into increasing outdoor recreation self-efficacy, and provide resources to help you move forward.
The Use of Technology in the Outdoor Industry
Presented by Dustyn Meadows, Family Adventure Park at Massanutten Resort Lead Supervisor
How outdoor leaders can be more efficient and accurate with the use of online resources. Training with online videos; avenues of documentation in risk management; programs for efficient project management will be discussed.
The Wilderness Education Association Credentialing Program:
An Overview of the Benefits and Process
Presented by Anja Whittington, Radford University Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism
The goal of this session is to present the benefits and the pathway toward credentialing in outdoor leadership through certification with the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). Certification is a successful model when applied to technical skills such as rock climbing or paddling. No standard exists for a comprehensively trained and qualified outdoor leader. This certification gap creates significant waste of resources; time, energy, and finances. The WEA provides a pathway, by way of a rigorous, weighty certification scheme to endorse outdoor professionals.
Applying Situational Leadership
Presented by Guy deBrun, James Madison University Lecturer Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation
Situational leadership suggests that effective leaders understand that their groups' level of readiness depends on the situation. Furthermore, leaders adjust their leadership style based on the performance readiness of the group. This session will introduce participants to the Situational Leadership Model, explain how to determine performance readiness, and explain how to match style with the group's readiness. Finally, participants will explore their own leadership preferences with a diagnostic tool called the Expedition Leadership Style Analysis.
Fun with Mike and Lester (and Ropes and Knots)
Presented by Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures, Owner/Guide, and Mike Ellsworth, Liberty University, Director of Outdoor Recreation
Do you want to add some useful knots into your knot toolbox? Do you know some knots, or have some interesting ways to teach them that you would like to share? Join us, the hapless and not-so-expert paddler and climber, to play with rope!
Hydaway Tour
Liberty University’s Hydaway Outdoor Center provides a great outdoor resource to LU students. The facility includes an outfitter that provides rentals, 8-acre lake, Pavilion and Student Center for events, challenge course/zipline and access to the 3,500 acres of trails along Liberty Mountain. Come and get a tour of the facility with one of our student managers. Space is limited to 12 as we will be taking a shuttle for the 8-minute drive.
Leadership Beyond a Title
Presented by Seth Carswell, Roanoke College Outdoor Adventures Outdoor Guide
How one can be a leader without having a leadership title? How to be an essential part of a team and become a leader of your own life? This session will increase leadership skills, promote team development and promote individual development.
Leadership Lab: The Four Facing Directions of Leadership
Presented by Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures, Owner/Guide
What have you done recently to keep improving your general leadership approach and skills -- read some books, worked with a mentor? This interactive workshop will introduce you to the 4 facing directions of leadership (Inward, Outward, Upward, and Forward), and then guide you through several experiences and conversations intended to deepen your personal understanding and skills. You will reflect on individuals and experiences that have been influential in your life, and then, using your current position as a context, develop goals and strategies to equip you for your next steps in your professional and leadership journey.
No Roof Rack? No Problem!
Presented by RVA Paddlesports
Learn how to strap your kayaks safely on the roof of your car, even without a roof rack! Don't lose your precious cargo on the road due to faulty knots. In this workshop, we'll go over how to properly prepare the roof of your car (with or without roof racks), strap your boat down, and prevent your ropes or straps from getting damaged on the drive.
Path to Professional: Next Steps to your Next Job
Presented by Sasha Griffith, James Madison University Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs, and Stacey Ellis, Lord Fairfax Community College Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Pursuing a career in the outdoor recreation industry can take multiple different directions. Through an interactive discussion, where current job listings will be evaluated for transferable knowledge, skills, and abilities, participants will delve further into employment opportunities in the outdoor recreation industry. Participants will take away tips and tricks on the types of careers available, where to look for employment, and how to diversify experiences to increase employability in multiple areas within the outdoor recreation industry.
Rock Wall Tour
Liberty University boasts a wide variety of rock wall amenities for their students. These include a 40-foot tall climbing tower with 6 routes and an arch, 4,000 square feet of bouldering walls and a state-of-the-art “Grasshopper” board that boasts a totally customizable bouldering experience. Come and see the wall and meet our Rock Wall Coordinator, Jon Anderson.
Roundtable: Wilderness Medicine in the Collegiate Setting
Presented by Candace Brendler, James Madison University, Graduate Assistant, Adventure & TEAM programs
Join this roundtable discussion to share strengths and areas for growth in programming around Wilderness Medicine in the collegiate setting. The goal includes identifying gaps in training and resources needed to move forward. We will use a Driving Question Board protocol to discuss the following: How do we use Wilderness Medicine to support Adventure programming? Be ready to generate questions and participate in group discussion. We will also discuss different structures around Wilderness Medicine training, online vs. hybrid vs. in-person training, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion topics, and compile a list of recommended resources.
Show Me The Money: Trends in Outdoor Spending
Presented by Jeremy Armentrout, Radford Student, and Anja Whittington, Radford University Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism
The outdoor retail industry has hit a record high in sales in Virginia. While this is great for the outdoor economy, the economic cost of participating in outdoor activities serves as a constraint for many participants. This presentation will share research on outdoor spending trends in Virginia. The presenter surveyed 200+ retail spenders at Great Outdoor Provision Company located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and at Walk About Outfitters located in Blacksburg Virginia. Learn about what Virginians are willing to spend on outdoor equipment, how much is too much, and the factors that limits one's participation.
Supporting Trans Students in the Field
Presented by Taylor Petty, Virginia Tech Venture Out Coordinator, Adventure Recreation and Custom Programs
Trans students are out there: as our staff, on our trips, and participating in our programming! They deserve instruction planned with them in mind. This workshop will take a look at common language used by the LGBTQ+ community, discuss areas of programming where we could be perpetuating the gender binary, and make a plan for supporting all students in the field. This workshop will be highly interactive with small group discussion and scenarios. Come willing to learn and make mistakes.
Trip Leader Prep Course: How to Train Before You Hire
Presented by Candace Brendler, James Madison University, Graduate Assistant, Adventure & TEAM programs
Do you have an outdoor adventure program that provides Trip Leader Training? Or are you looking to grow your training program? This presentation will showcase a sample curriculum and itinerary for a trip leader training course, discuss pros & cons of the structure, offer insights into increasing outdoor recreation self-efficacy, and provide resources to help you move forward.
The Use of Technology in the Outdoor Industry
Presented by Dustyn Meadows, Family Adventure Park at Massanutten Resort Lead Supervisor
How outdoor leaders can be more efficient and accurate with the use of online resources. Training with online videos; avenues of documentation in risk management; programs for efficient project management will be discussed.
The Wilderness Education Association Credentialing Program:
An Overview of the Benefits and Process
Presented by Anja Whittington, Radford University Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism
The goal of this session is to present the benefits and the pathway toward credentialing in outdoor leadership through certification with the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). Certification is a successful model when applied to technical skills such as rock climbing or paddling. No standard exists for a comprehensively trained and qualified outdoor leader. This certification gap creates significant waste of resources; time, energy, and finances. The WEA provides a pathway, by way of a rigorous, weighty certification scheme to endorse outdoor professionals.
