WiLD (Wilderness Leadership Development) Program
Become an Outdoor Trip Leader
Applications due 10/13/2025
Since 1966, the Outdoor Program (ODP) has been helping PSU students and the community access and enjoy the outdoors. The ODP provides a wide variety of services like outdoor trips, an equipment rental center, and Campus Rec’s Climbing Center. A highlight of the ODP is the outdoor trips offered each term, such as rafting, kayaking, backpacking, climbing and more.
The Outdoor Program depends on PSU students to lead these outdoor adventure trips and places great value on the experience that students gain from these wilderness activities. For students who are passionate about the outdoors and want to build on their leadership experience, the Wilderness Leadership Development (WiLD) program is designed to teach and empower PSU students experientially in an outdoor setting. Through the WiLD program, students will gain experience in teaching, facilitation, public speaking, communication, conflict resolution and risk management in addition to technical outdoor skills. Direct experience, strong knowledge of, and familiarity with diverse populations including, but not limited to: Asian/Pacific Islander, Asian-American, African, African-American, Chicana, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native, Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, Disabled, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning students, is preferred. Students who identify with these populations are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.
Benefits of the WiLD Program
While participating in the WiLD program students are eligible for a $600.00 leadership award ($400 Winter Term and $200.00 Spring Term). This three-term development series is also a path to paid trip leading positions within the ODP. Fall Term is mostly application and interviews; individuals selected for the WiLD program will participate in an overnight trip at the end of the term. During Winter Term, you will be an intern on several trips and attend trainings every other week throughout the term. This training period will culminate in a week-long trip over Spring Break to further refine and practice skills. Spring Term will be an opportunity to continue to lead trips and develop additional skills. Our hope is that by the end of Spring term, you will have gained the experience necessary to move into a paid trip leading position and you will continue to work for the Outdoor Program for the rest of your time at PSU.
- Fall Term - Apply and interview. Individuals selected for the WiLD program will participate in an overnight trip at the end of the term.
- Winter Term - Intern on several trips and attend trainings throughout the term. This training period will culminate in a week-long trip over Spring Break to further refine and practice skills.
- Spring Term - An opportunity to continue to lead trips and develop additional skills. Our hope is that by the end of these three terms, you will have gained the experience necessary to move into a paid trip leading position and you will continue to work for the Outdoor Program for the rest of your time at PSU.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, please review the following expectations and application process.