Certificate in Outdoor Leadership

Quarterly fee includes all the trainings listed below.

It is a great privilege to lead people in the field and requires varied skills. To ensure that our standards are met our guides all have achieved the UC Recreation Certificate in Outdoor Leadership.

The course begins at the beginning of fall quarter (September) and concludes at the end of Spring quarter (May) The course consists of day and evening classes, day trips as well as overnight trips. Some of the course components are offered on multiple occasions for those who are unable to attend due to scheduling difficulties.

This program will provide for the transition of Outback Guides from Assistant Guides (trainees) to Secondary Guides (paid Staff) in conjunction with opportunities provided to assist on trips offered to the wider community, as well as their own personal development through self guided practice and trip participation.

Course Components

1] New Guide Training

This training trip is for UCSD students who wish to become guides for Outback Adventures, the University’s Outdoor Education program. It is part of the UC Recreation Certificate in Outdoor Leadership. This training will be a backpacking training and build the outdoor leadership groundwork necessary to become a guide.

2]Preparing your pack and itinerary

This program will provide an overview of equipment and clothing best suited to backpacking, planning a menu and an itinerary and trip length best suited to you and your party. As well as techniques for pack selection, packing and adjustment.
 

3]Wilderness Navigation Clinic

Learn all you need to know to be comfortable navigating by map and compass in the wilderness. The class will include map skills, taking a bearing from Map to Land, reducing a sight from Land to Map, triangulation, GPS and geocaching.

Trip info sheet

4]Backcountry Cooking Clinic

Tired of eating the same old camp food? Amaze your friends while camping out with new outdoor cooking skills. The class will include camping stove use and repair and Dutch Oven baking. The group will prepare delights including brownies and cinnamon rolls. All stoves, kitchen materials and food ingredients are provided.

Trip info sheet

5]Stove Maintenance

In this program you will learn to use, troubleshoot and repair MSR camping stoves

6]Kayak Skills - Intro and Theory - Strokes & Bracing (Mission Bay)

Come learn some of the important academic concepts behind the sport of Sea Kayaking. The class will include: Introduction to Sea Kayaking, Traditional History, Boat Design, Safety Considerations, Basic Coastal Navigation, Tides & Currents. The Wet Exit, Forward Stroke Development, Sweep stroke, Reverse stroke,Low Brace, High Brace and Low Brace Turn.  

Trip Info Sheet

7]Kayak Skills - Ocean Paddling

Come learn advanced paddling skills on the ocean. The class will include Surf Launch and Landing, Paddle Float Self Rescue, T Rescues and Towing.
Trip info sheet

8]Kayak Roll Clinic (Canyonview Pool)

This program will provide an introduction to the techniques of rolling a kayak. Depending on what works best for you we can help you move to an effective C to C or sweep roll. This program will take place in canyonview pool

Come to Canyonview Pool to learn the fundamentals of a Kayak Roll as a tool for both self rescue and fun. You will be introduced to a variety of roll techniques including The High Brace, C2C Roll and Screw Roll Development. Participants will be given both one-on-one and group instruction, with plenty of time to practice. Your confidence in the water and with using a variety of equipment will no doubt increase after this clinic. Return participants are encouraged!
Trip info sheet

9]Learn to climb at Mission Gorge

10]Climbing Anchor Skills Clinic @ OCC

This 2-hr introductory clinic held in the Outback Climbing Center will teach the basics of 1,2,3-point anchor systems for outdoor rock climbing. We will introduce the use of static ropes for extending the master point for top-rope/base managed climbing sites. This clinic will cover hitches, equalized and pre-equalized anchors and discuss cords, ropes, and slings used in recreational rock climbing. We will cover use of figure 8 knots, bowline, and clove hitch. Previous outdoor rock climbing experience and comfort belaying recommended. This clinic does not focus on climbing movement.
Trip info sheet

11]Advanced Climbing Anchor Skills Clinic

This 6-hr clinic held at a local outdoor climbing area builds on the concepts covered in the Rock Climbing Anchor Clinic. This clinic will teach the basics of building climbing anchor systems with traditional gear for top-rope climbing routes. Each participant will have the opportunity to build climbing anchors and have them assessed. Previous participation in a Rock Climbing Anchor Clinic, outdoor rock climbing experience and comfort belaying is recommended. This clinic does not focus on climbing movement.
Trip info sheet

12]Climbing Rescue Technique Clinic @ OCC

This 2-hr introductory clinic for experienced outdoor climbers held in the Outback Climbing Center will teach the basics of self-rescue used in recreational climbing. Basic techniques of assisting a stuck climber to belay escape, ascending/descending ropes, and transferring loads under tension will be covered. Participants should know how to tie Prussic, Auto Block, Kliemheist, Munter Hitch, and Munter Mule knots. This clinic does not focus on climbing movement.
Trip info sheet

13]Rock Climbing Instructors Course Joshua Tree National Park

For guides wishing to improve their climbing skills  Joshua Tree is one of the worlds premier rock climbing venues a perfect place to improve your climbing skill, knowledge and group management skills. This 4 day program  is part of the UC Recreation Certificate in Outdoor Leadership. The full curriculum can be viewed by following the link above.

Pre-trip meeting:        

6pm at Outback Rental Shop