Outdoor Education and Leadership Services

Already established outdoor education programs need to be reviewed and assessed regularly to ensure adherence to current industry practices. Gipfel Outdoors can provide program reviews and assessments for a variety of outdoor education components.

• Program evaluation
• Curriculum review
• Field operations assessment
• Backcountry food preparation
• Gear and equipment storage
• Gear repair and maintenance
• Program equipment purchase
• Diversity, equity, inclusion practices
• Safety review
• Exam field staff training practices
• Grant writing
• Accreditation support

Outdoor education should be an integral part of every child’s academic journey. Knowing where to start and how to build an intentional program can be daunting. Gipfel Outdoors will use years of knowledge and expertise to assist in building a sustainable program designed for your specific population.

• Developing policies and procedures
• Personnel procurement - hiring optimum outdoor educators
• Ordering and purchasing quality gear and equipment
• Generate parent and student documentation
• Menu planning
• Permits
• Obtaining funding
• Curriculum development
• Leadership development

Training competent and passionate outdoor educators is essential to a safely run program. Continuous training which addresses updating leaders on policies and procedures sets programs apart. Gipfel Outdoors will empower leaders to make informed decisions in the field and generate effective outdoor education lessons.

• Tailored outdoor education and leadership training
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the outdoors.
• Leave No Trace Trainer and Workshops
• Wilderness Medicine Resource
• Facilitator Training and Team Building Training

Avoiding institutional complacency through properly executed risk management strategies is important for any organization. Operating in the field away from definitive care can bring a multitude of risks. Gipfel Outdoors will help organizations recognize and accept risk and transform it into a tool to create optimal learning environments through proper risk management.

• Risk management review
• Policy and procedures
• Field staff training best practices
• Transportation logistics and driver expectations
• Waiver and assumption of risk form review

Gipfel Outdoor's Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is aimed at providing middle and high school students an opportunity to develop integral leadership skills through outdoor expeditions. Throughout the academic year, afternoon "micro adventures" will teach students fundamental leadership skills and traits that will support daily character development during primary years. An annual leadership expedition will take place over the summer as a cumulative experience for those in the YLP. A weeklong wilderness experience will focus on leadership skills learned by conducting outdoor skills lessons and activities to promote self-awareness. 

Wilderness Medicine courses such as Wilderness First Aid are provided through Desert Mountain Medicine. As a provider of high quality wilderness medicine curriculum, organizations can provide medical training to staff and communities. Desert Mountain Medicine has been providing courses since 1998 and is one of the industry leaders in developing and training wilderness medicine professionals. Courses can be set up directly through Gipfel Outdoors.

• Injury management
• Medical emergencies
• Splinting and Bandaging
• Activating Emergency Medical System
• Being prepared for medical scenarios