Leadership Program Application: Fall/Spring 2024-2025

Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program

Outdoor Outreach

Leadership Program Application

Dear Applicant,

Please read through all of the following information before applying:

Thank you for your interest in the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program for Fall/Spring 2024-2025. The Leadership Program is an 25-week training program in which young adults, ages 16 - 21, can learn and develop the skills needed to become leaders and advocates within the outdoor industry as well as within their own communities.

Young adults, ages 16-21 years-old, living in or near San Diego, CA are eligible to apply for this program.

There is no cost for participants to attend this program. The Leadership Program is a paid training experience. Upon completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to make

up to $1,500 in stipends.

Housing is not provided for this program.

The application process can be competitive.

Participants are expected to transport themselves to Outdoor Outreach Offices at 3980 Sherman Street, San Diego Ca

Program Details

The 2024-2025 Fall/Spring Leadership Program will run from November 9th 2024 - April 26 2024 (dates subject to change).

What is the Leadership Program?

The Leadership Program is a paid training experience for young adults (ages 16 - 21) living in or around San Diego. Through weekly workshops and outdoor training experiences, participants learn and develop the skills needed to become leaders within the outdoor industry as well as within their own communities. This program has a focus on workforce development, civic engagement, and outdoor industry skills. Participants who are accepted into the program have the opportunity to make $1,500 in stipends upon completion of the program.

What does it mean to be a Leadership Program Participant?

Leadership program participants meet monday through friday and are held to the expectations of a professional in the outdoor industry. Participants will be actively working towards learning and developing outdoor industry, advocacy, and workforce skills. Participants are expected to arrive to meetings on time, communicate in a timely manner, respect fellow students and staff, model professionalism, and further the vision and mission of Outdoor Outreach through active participation.

Participants safely learn how to instruct a range of outdoor recreation activities in a variety of parks, beaches, and open space areas including, but not limited to:

Rock Climbing
Mountain Biking
Environmental Stewardship
Kayaking
Camping
Snorkeling
Hiking
Backpacking

Mission Trails Regional Park

Anza Borrego State Park

Mount Laguna Recreation Area

Cabrillo National Monument

Los Penasquitos Canyon

Liberty Station

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

Joshua Tree National Park

Through participation in the Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program, we hope participants experience:

Increased confidence and ability to facilitate outdoor adventures for youth in a safe and fun manner
Continued involvement and/or employment as an outdoor leader for Outdoor Outreach or similar organizations.
Increased perception of one’s ability to influence public policy and socio-economic barriers to accessing the outdoors.
Increased ability and willingness to communicate with decision makers and advocate the value
and necessity of protecting outdoor spaces and sensitive ecosystems.
Increased self-confidence, self efficacy, self awareness, and positive self perception
Increased levels of professionalism and workforce skills
Increased ability to seek and qualify for employment opportunities
Motivation to become leaders within communities and enact positive changes

What is your Commitment to Outdoor Outreach and the Leadership Program?

An open mind towards the activities. We will be pushing our mental and physical barriers by experiencing new, and sometimes challenging, experiences.

Respectful , inclusive, and professional manners towards your peers and staff members.

Completion of the Leadership Program:
This commitment includes attending and participating in workshops, field-based outings, and field-based overnight programs. This program is designed for participants to gain experience as a field instructors as well as experience with essential workforce skills. Participants must attend and participate in 75% of program outings and meetings in order to graduate.

Program Schedule

Activities and lessons will be held every Saturday for 25 weeks. Lessons and outings will not exceed 8 hrs daily, exceptions to this schedule include two overnight camping trips and a five day backpacking trip.

Program Dates: November 9th 2024 - April 26th, 2025

Weekly Schedule: 1 day per week, Saturday only

Daily Hours: 5 - 8 hrs. per program day, excluding overnight trips

Total Program Hours: 285+

Rock Climbing Overnight: February 22-23, 2025

Backpacking Overnight: March 31 - April 6th 2025

Mountain Biking Overnight: April 19 - April 20th, 2025

Outdoor Recreation Trainings:

Team Building
Kayaking
Paddle Boarding
Rock Climbing
Hiking
Backpacking
Camping
Mountain Biking
Environmental Stewardship
Community Science

Educational Workshops:

Workforce Development
Resume Building and Interviewing
Financial literacy
Leadership Styles
Group Facilitation
Political advocacy
Planning and Logistics
Bike maintenance
Camp Cooking
Backpacking and outdoor industry skills
Local ecology and environmental stewardship

Stipend

Participants of the Leadership Program are eligible to earn up to $1,500 in stipends.

Stipends are distributed in increments throughout the program. The stipend amount is dependent on each participants attendance.

Participants must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to be able to receive stipend checks from Outdoor Outreach.

Participants with no valid SSN or ITIN can still participate in the program.

Status of SSN or ITIN does not impact a participants acceptance into the program.

Application

Leadership Program Application

Thank you for your interest in the Leadership Program. Please submit this application to Outdoor Outreach no later than September 27th at 11:59 pm to be considered for the Fall/Spring 2024-2025 program. If you have any questions feel free to email or call the Leadership Program Coordinator or Youth Programs Associate Manager:

Santos Plaza

santos.plaza@outdooroutreach.org

Chris Santomero

Email: chris.santomero@outdooroutreach.org Phone: (619) 238-5790

First Name:

Last Name:

Date of Birth:(mm/dd/yyyy)

Age:

Gender Identification:

School you are attending?

Current class in School? (Ex: Junior, Senior, College Freshman, College Sophomore, Not enrolled, etc.)

Phone Number:

E-mail Address:

Primary Home Address and Zip Code:

How did you hear about the Leadership Program?

Rate the following activities (below) on a range of 0-3, based on your comfort level when doing that activity. Experience in program activities is not necessary for acceptance into the program. 0 = Not Comfortable at all 1 = A Little Uncomfortable 2 = Comfortable 3 = Very Comfortable

Swimming

Being at heights

Riding a Bike

Camping Overnight

Hiking in rough Terrain

Public Speaking

Please take the time to carefully answer the following questions

1. What is your understanding of Outdoor Outreach and what we do as an organization?

2. Have you participated in any Outdoor Outreach programs? Please explain your experience(s). If no experience write "none."

3. Why do you want to participate in the Leadership Program?

4. Please describe your two strongest character strengths.

5. Please describe two areas where you personally would like to improve.

6. Describe one or more examples of a time you have been in a Leadership role. (examples: school activities, team sports, babysitting, etc.)

7.What is your favorite activity to do outdoors and why is it your favorite?

8. Do you feel it is important for people to take good care of the environment? Why or why not?

9. What does diversity mean to you, and do you feel diversity is important? Please explain your answer. (For example, diversity in a workplace)

10. At Outdoor Outreach we strive to create an inclusive work environment where all staff and participants can feel included and welcome despite our cultural and personal differences. Do you feel inclusivity is important? Why or why not?

11. During The Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program, participants and staff are challenged in a variety of ways. Please describe a challenge you have overcome in your life and how that has made you a stronger person.

Contact Information