Junior High Adventure Leadership 1 (6-8 Grade)

Course Description:

This course provides the base level of training focused on beginner techniques in the outdoors. The class will encompass level 1 training in outdoor and leadership skills, with a spotlight on exciting sports like climbing and canyoneering. We focus on leadership and teamwork through physical and mental challenges. Most of all, Adventure Leadership 1 gives students the opportunity to explore their abilities and passions for the outdoors. 

Course Objectives:

In this class, students will practice:

  • Knot tying
  • Base camp skills
  • Safe Harnessing
  • Outdoor safety
  • Cleaning of equipment
  • Rappelling/ Braking
  • Climbing/Canyoneering
  • Anchors
  • Navigation
  • Backpacking
  • Wilderness first aid
  • Teamwork
  • Humility
  • Serving others
  • Leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Patience
  • Communication

Certifications: 

With successful completion of this course students can gain a Wilderness First Aid certification.  

Scope and Sequence:

This course is designed to develop students’ passion for outdoor leadership, and give them valuable technical skills. No prior knowledge or experience is required or needed to be a part of this class. Class time will be comprised of an initial teaching time, with space for practice at the end. Eventually, bigger opportunities to test their knowledge and skills will come with climbing and canyoneering trips. By the end of this course students will learn technical skills including adequate knowledge of knots, outdoor safety, and repelling. Also, confidence in critical decision making and experience working with other people in many different situations. This course can be taken for the acquisition of new skills or as part of a larger trajectory to become an adventure guide after high school.

Course Materials and Resources:

In class daily:

  • Binder or notebook
  • Pen/Pencil 
  • Appropriate activewear (for the current weather conditions)

*If a day requires any additional materials, families will be notified prior to class

Gear:

Various technical gear will be required throughout the course. All technical gear will be provided for in-class activities and outdoor activities. A thorough gear list will be provided prior to an upcoming trip.

Grading Policies:

As a homeschool enrichment class we do not issue grades or credits.  However, this class is designed to help gain certifications in wilderness first aid and canyoneering, which require successful completion of material to gain certification. 

Technology: 

Phones, tablets, and laptops will not be permitted in class for note-taking or otherwise except when required for assignments or occasionally with permissions to do assignments in class. 

Schedule: 

JH Adv. Leadership 24/25

Cost:

There is no cost to the parent or student because this class is a program of the Colorado Homeschool Enrichment. CHE is a publicly funded program to benefit homeschooled and private school students with programs to enrich their standard course load.  All students must enroll with CHE starting in the summer to be prepared to start class in the fall. Eligible students must NOT be enrolled in any other publicly funded program at the time of enrollment.  

*Ineligible students may pay $4500 out of pocket for the course.  

Instructors:

This class will be taught by Ethan Mullet and Wilson McKay. Wilson has been guiding for Venture Off since February of 2023 and was promoted to Director of Guiding in August of the same year. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, but moved to Colorado in 2018 to pursue a career in the outdoors. In 2022, Wilson graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in business administration and outdoor leadership.  He is passionate about sharing the power of adventure with the next generation and empowering young people to achieve goals that they never thought possible.

INTRUCTORS: Ethan Mullet & Wilson McKay

ethan@ventureoff.org

wilson@ventureoff.org

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