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Staff Training

"My favorite part of the summer was staff training, even if I wasn't working here again next year, I would want to be a part of staff training."

This quote came from a member of summer staff 2002. Excluding the application process, staff training will be your first encounter with Adventure Links. More and more often we find that a large part of our role here at Adventure Links, as directors, is not that of an educator for the campers but that of a catalyst that produces change and growth in our staff. We feel that you and your teammates are the integral part of our success during the summer. Positive connections and warm friendships behind the camp scene create the daily atmosphere that gives camps energy and excitement. Staff training is our opportunity to jumpstart this process.

Staff training is an intense and in-depth submersion into our programs and the industry of adventure education. We do not view the program as a 'traditional summer camp' experience but more as a learning and growing experience for the participants in an outdoor environment. Many of the topics, techniques, and styles learned and looked at during staff training will reflect this viewpoint. We also expect that our staff strive toward these goals and values and pass them on, through their facilitation of the programs, to the participants.

Due to the rigorous schedule of staff training please expect to be completely consumed for the two or three week period of time you are in training. The days are long and tiring and leave very little free or personal time. We organize staff trainings in this regimented manner for many reasons. The summer is very demanding mentally, emotionally, and physically. We feel that an intense training session better prepares you for almost any situation that will present itself during the course of the summer. It is not my intention to push you away from accepting this challenge but more to inform you about the position and ask you to step up to that challenge.

Creating a hurdle for staff to overcome is not our purpose for the training sessions. In fact, the main goal of staff training is three fold. First, to teach the skills and attitudes we feel are appropriate for the adventure industry, secondly to create a fun and exciting atmosphere, and thirdly to build team unity. Most days of staff training are filled with learning and practicing the hard and soft skills of rock climbing, ropes course and program facilitation, kayaking and canoeing, caving, and environmental education. Several of the evenings are set aside for staff outings and dinners. These activities are pure entertainment and usually have no relation to the daytime activities. It is important for us to allow staff the opportunity to 'hang-out' together and form bonds and friendships, to laugh and have a good time. Without these experiences we feel the major objectives of staff training would not be met.

Staff Training begins on June 1st.

Request for Proposal - 800.877.0954 - www.AdventureLinks.net

21498 Blue Ridge Mountain Road
Paris, VA 20130