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DEI Apprenticeship in Outdoor Education

Appalachian Expeditions
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Appalachian Expeditions acknowledges that systematic oppression has made it difficult for people of color and other marginalized communities to access the outdoors. As a member of the outdoor industry, we want to create a more inclusive environment and make it easier for all people to get outside. We believe that the natural world is inherent in our identities and essential to who we are as humans, no matter where we come from or what we look like. For this reason, this apprenticeship program is open to people of color, people in the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized groups.

Job description:

Throughout the course of this contract, the apprentice will serve three distinct roles, outlined below. 

The apprenticeship will begin with a seven day training trip. On this trip we will backpack and canoe through the Cheat River watershed while teaching our foundational curriculum involving leadership, wilderness, and environmental understanding. This training trip runs June 1-7, 2024 and sets the stage for teaching these skills to our participants. Throughout this trip, the apprentice’s role will be to absorb the curriculum, systems, and ideologies that are the focus of APEX. 

After the training trip, we will begin our programming season. Here, the apprentice will work as part of an experienced instructor team. They will teach wilderness skills, leadership lessons, and other classes that they will have seen taught on the training trip. Additionally they will be involved in planning logistics, making risk management decisions in the field, and participate as a member and leader of the group in games, activities, and lessons. 

Lastly, the apprentice will develop their own leadership and teaching styles through supportive lesson prep, observation and feedback. The goal is to help the apprentice grow into a leader within the outdoor industry. As part of this role, we will also be asking the apprentice to support APEX’s initiatives to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment by providing perspectives, ideas, and programmatic feedback. 

Job qualifications:

  • Person of color, member of the LGBTQIA+ community, or a member of another marginalized group
  • Ages 21 and up
  • Affinity for the outdoors. You must enjoy being outside for extended periods. Our longest program is two weeks in length, during that time apprentices will be backpacking and/or camping on the river and will have limited access to frontcountry amenities (i.e. flushing toilets).
  • A desire to teach. This is an outdoor education apprenticeship. We are looking for someone who is excited to teach through experiential education.
  • A desire to work with children of all ages. Age ranges for our programs range from 5 to 17 years old. Apprentices will be placed in programs based on need and best fit.
  • Wilderness First Aid Certification. This is our minimum first aid requirement. If you do not have a WFA certification we will cover the cost of your course. Please see notes below about professional development. 
  • Apprenticeship Dates:  June 1 through August 18. Throughout the summer, apprentices can expect to lead at least two backcountry programs and two day camps.  They will also help support other programs with logistics, rations planning and prep, and equipment maintenance.