Staff are Key to Program Success
When selecting a wilderness program for your kids, make it your business to find out as much as you can about the staff involved. Programs that feature trips away from base camp need leaders who can work with young people for days at a time without direct supervision “Parents should not hesitate to contact camp directors and ask pointed questions about employees’ experience, formal training, age/maturity levels, safety record, and turnover,” says C.G. Stephens, Director of Northwaters Wilderness Programs, based in Temagami, Ontario.
Northwaters is unique because it generates its staff internally. Its employees have come up through the organization’s own programs, starting out as young campers (as early as age ten). By the time they reach the point of becoming leaders, they have paddled and portaged thousands of kilometres and have learned first-hand about working with others in challenging situations, exercising good judgment and becoming supportive team members. “One advantage to this approach is that we get to know these young people very well before we hire them,” says Stephens. “The other advantage is that they can truly empathize with the young campers in their charge because they experienced the same programs at the same age.”
Northwaters trip leaders must complete one of the camp’s two demanding sub-Arctic expeditions before they can become staff members. “Just to be considered for either our James Bay Trip or our Leadership Program, you have to possess skills in white water paddling, wilderness living, and you must have demonstrated good leadership potential, maturity and integrity,” stresses Stephens. The James Bay expedition is a supervised 350 kilometre paddle up to and across the bottom of James Bay. Participants face serious challenges including class III whitewater, long portages, unpredictable weather and powerful tides and currents. “Working with a group of people on an expedition of this nature teaches you things about yourself. The trip is a rite of passage,” explains Stephens.
The Leadership Program is a 500 kilometre paddle and portage through even more remote country and white water. Two qualified instructors teach advanced navigation, advanced white water paddling, rescue techniques and emergency trip procedures, as well as abstract elements of leadership such as conflict resolution and group development. Participants lead a portion of the trip, make presentations and run activities to encourage cohesion, trust and cooperation and then receive feedback from instructors and peers.
When training its leaders, Northwaters stresses the importance of helping children internalize what they learn on the canoe trips and encouraging them to use these ‘learnings’ to benefit their life at home. An excerpt from one parent’s letter following her son’s participation in a Northwaters program shows how this kind of training can pay off. “Thank you for building my son’s character, protecting him from harm, and transforming him into a confident outdoorsman,” writes Tracy Van Brakle.
Safety on the trail is paramount. “We’ve never had a serious injury out there,” states Stephens. “Our record is a product of good training and preventive work.” All staff require specialized wilderness medical training –everything from water purification and personal hygiene to emergency procedures. They are also required to have their Bronze Cross certification in swimming.
Another indication of the quality of an outdoor program is a low staff turnover rate. “If staff members stay with you, they obviously find their work rewarding,” Stephens points out. On average, Northwaters employees work for three or four years as assistants. This means that they can have anywhere from eight to fifteen years experience with the organization before they ever lead a trip. “This is great for participants who get to see familiar faces from year to year,” says Stephens. “Continuity is good for kids struggling with adolescence. Plus, they get to share experiences with people who know them.”
Whether your children are interested in wilderness canoe tripping, hiking or any other out-tripping program, their leaders will be the key to a safe and meaningful outdoor experience.
