Off to staff training!
After many months of waiting the moment has arrived. Every year we look forward to (and plan for) staff training. For our director team, there is no larger moment. It is our opportunity and time to help prepare our incredible leaders to help mentor and inspire our students this summer. Bold Earth has been successful in running teen adventure travel trips over the last 45 years in large part because we’ve hired the right leaders and trained them well.
Many people ask us “what do we do at staff training?” There is no one simple answer. Staff training is many things, it’s training and review in risk management procedures, medical and student scenarios, and Bold Earth policies and procedures. Operating adventure travel camps for middle and high school students is more logistically demanding than a normal residential summer camp, and we have a lot of training and preparation in managing logistics.
But it’s not JUST serious topics. It’s also fun and crazy games, taking turns cooking food and getting to know each other. We know how important play is, and part of our jobs is to make things as fun as possible. One of the most critical pieces of staff training is the cultivation of our leader community. The magic of Bold Earth doesn’t just happen on our trips, it’s planned for and intentionally cultivated by our leaders.
Every year, that magic begins with us forming a kind and inclusive community at our staff training. While we hold our leaders to very high standards (much like our students), we also want them to feel accepted for who they are and challenged to be the best version of themselves. By embracing and experiencing that first hand our leaders can help bring that to their trip communities. Much like our Bold Earth student communities our leader community is formed intentionally.
Just like most of our trips, our staff training takes place in a remote area in the Rocky Mountains without wifi or even a single power outlet. Our leaders go tech-free for this experience just like our students do. We camp outdoors together, cook our own food together, and wash our own dishes. It doesn’t matter if you’re the owner or a first-year staff, we all sleep on the same ground, and sit around the same fire. It doesn’t matter if someone is leading an adventure to Colorado, Costa Rica, or South Africa. Bold Earth is an outdoor company, and we celebrate that.
Staff training is one of my favorite events of the year. You can feel the energy and excitement, the passion for our students, and the work we do. Being surrounded by so many passionate outdoor educators helps inspire me every year. We couldn’t be more excited about summer 2022. Just like everything worthwhile, it will have its challenges. Once staff training ends we will be ready and excited to meet them!
Recent blogs
Arches National Park Adventures
Curious about what life is like on Bold Earth’s teen travel programs? Sophie, a summer camper on one of our trips, submits an exciting blog entry about her experience at Arches National Park! Starting the day with an early 5:00 am wakeup, Dillon, Max, Logan, Don, Jackson, Lindsey, Mariana, and Alexandra, led
Interview With a (Previously) Nervous Student
Leaving your comfort zone to travel for several weeks with a group of strangers can be nerve-wracking. There are new foods, sights, smells, and social dynamics to navigate. Even if we know this new experience will be good for us, it can still feel overwhelming. It’s normal to feel butterflies when
Camera Recommendations for Bold Earth Trips
Many parents choose Bold Earth because of our no-electronics policy—teens finally get a much-needed break from digital and social media! But the first question they ask is, “How will Bold Earth teenagers be able to take photos?!” Believe it or not, digital point-and-shoot cameras are still available (we know, it sounds crazy).
Pros and Cons of Cotton Clothing
As we move into the new year, parents and students begin to look ahead to summer and make their 2019 Bold Earth trip selection. There are so many options taking place around the world—we know it can be hard to choose! With trip selection comes trip planning, and it’s important to
The Silver Lining to COVID-19 Quarantine
As we’ve all grown fond of saying, we’re living in a challenging and unprecedented time. No person in their right mind would describe these past few months as a “good time.” With all who have suffered from the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19, it’s hard to feel positive. I
And then it rained…
Well, I’m not sure if it actually did. But unless you’re on our Grand Canyon trip, it’s bound to rain at least once, right? This may sound odd, but we really like a day of rain on our trips. It doesn’t have to rain – maybe it’s wind or mud.
request your
program proposal
The custom group program process is a collaboration from start to finish. We love hearing about what you hope to get out of the Bold Earth experience.