SOLE

The OAP offers Student Outdoor Leadership Experiences (SOLE). This intensive training is the foundation of the OAP trips program and is designed to provide opportunities for skill development, personal growth, and leadership experience for potential OAP student leaders. Using the outdoors as our classroom, participants will also gain a connection to the natural world and consider how to provide similar experiences on OAP trips.

Those who take part in this course can expect professional training in group dynamics, teaching techniques, decision making, risk management, backcountry travel, technical outdoor skills, and leave no trace principles. This training will be both exciting and demanding.

New for Spring 2024 - SOLE is a credit-bearing course! Earn 3 credits in upper level Environmental Studies (ENVS 491, section 008) for your participation in SOLE.

We want individuals who are willing to make a commitment, not only to the program but also to themselves. There is a significant time requirement associated with the SOLE program. Participants should be motivated and have fundamental leadership skills, physical ability, and some outdoor experience. Those who do stay with the program will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that begins to lay the foundation for a future as an outdoor leader.

Interest meetings will be held at the Outing Rental Center, 130 South Linden Street:

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 16

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 29

Applicants who meet our basic requirements (including applications which are complete), will be invited to an in-person interview.

Application will be in this Google Form. Applications open November 1, 2023 and close December 1, 2023.

Questions? Email Christina Spohn, OAP Coordinator, at spohncl@vcu.edu.