In 2023, we are excited to continue to revamp and improve our Leader Training Process! Due to the variety of LandSea participant program offerings and due to the evolving demand on student leaders, the required training dates and certifications will vary for the different leader positions.
Discover more about the LandSea Leader Position Expectations, Qualifications, and Benefits!
Leader Pay & Benefits
The LandSea Leader position is a paid position. Stipend amounts vary depending on what program you are leading and if you are a first-time or returning leader. Stipends are paid in the fall at the end of leading the program. There are also many other benefits, including but not limited to: free wilderness medicine training and certification, all food, lodging, and transportation provided for all trainings and programs, PE credit, and more!
| Program Leading | Leader Year | Stipend Amount |
| LandSea Kalamazoo | First-Time Leader | $300 |
| Returning Leader | $400 | |
| LandSea Adirondacks | First-Time Leader | $1000 |
| Returning Leader | $1200 |
What do I learn in LandSea Leader Training?
- A combination of interpersonal and technical skills!
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Professionalism and work ethic
- Career management
- Group management techniques
- Facilitation and teaching
- Experiential Education theory and practice
- Wilderness Medicine, CPR, and/or First Aid
- Leadership skills, theory, and practice
- Risk management
- Outdoor living skills – camping, backpacking, hiking, backcountry cooking, Leave No Trace practices, and more!
- Rock climbing and belaying
- Canoeing
- And more!
Training and Program Dates Summary
See the table below for a quick-reference of required trainings for our different LandSea Leader positions. Continue to scroll past the table for more details about required and optional trainings for each position.
| Kalamazoo Leader | Adirondack Basecamp Leader | Adirondack Expedition Leader | |
| Basic First Aid & CPR (During spring term) | Required | – | – |
| Wilderness First Aid (4/29 – 4/30) | Optional | Required | Required |
| Expedition (Backpack & Canoe) Training Trip (6/12 – 6/16) | Optional | Optional, Highly Recommended | Required |
| Wilderness Advanced First Aid (6/19 – 6/20) | – | Optional | Required |
| Wilderness First Responder (6/21 – 6/24) | – | – | Highly Recommended |
| Kalamazoo-Specific Training (8/27 – 8/30) | Required | – | – |
| Adirondack-Specific Training (8/5 – 8/18) | – | Required | Required |
| Gear Day (9/6) | Required | Required | Required |
Training & Program Dates Details
Click on each position below to read more about the required and optional training and program dates.
Kalamazoo Leader Training & Program Dates
Required
- Basic First Aid & CPR – 2 evenings to be scheduled during the spring term
- Outdoor Programs staff will help you to find a course that matches your availability during the spring term
- Program-Specific Training for Kalamazoo Leaders – August 27 – 31
- This training will equip you to lead the six-day program.
- LandSea Kalamazoo Program – August 31 – September 5
- Participants will depart on the morning of September 5. Leaders will have additional responsibilities through the late afternoon/early evening on September 5.
- Gear Clean-Up Day – September 6
- Leaders will meet Outdoor Programs staff on campus on September 6th to clean up gear from the program.
Optional Training Opportunities
- June Expedition Training – LandSea Kalamazoo Leaders have the option of joining the Backpacking & Canoeing Training Trip in northern Michigan from June 12 – 16.
- Wilderness First Aid Course – April 29 – 30
- If you are interested in gaining a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification on top of the required Basic First Aid & CPR course, you may participate in the WFA course we are offering.
Adirondack Basecamp Leader Training & Program Dates
Required
- Wilderness First Aid – April 29 – 30
- This training will take all day on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be provided.
- If you cannot attend this Wilderness First Aid course, Outdoor Programs staff will work with you to acquire the trainings elsewhere prior to the start of the program.
- If you already have a current Wilderness Medicine certification and can provide proof of current certification (must run through the program dates), you will not need to complete the Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification.
- Program-Specific Training for Adirondack Leaders – August 5 – 19
- This training takes place in New York prior to the start of the LandSea Adirondacks Program. It will include trainings on interpersonal and technical skills required for the Adirondack Basecamp and Expedition programs.
- LandSea Adirondack Program – August 19 – September 5
- Participants depart NY on September 4th. Leaders will stay for additional duties until September 5th when the leaders will begin the return drive to campus.
- Return to Campus & Gear Clean-Up Day – September 6
- Leaders will finish the return drive to campus on September 6 and help Outdoor Programs staff to store & clean gear.
Optional Training Opportunities
- Expedition Backpack & Canoe Training – June 12 – 16
- It is highly recommended (but optional) for LandSea Adirondack Basecamp Leaders to join the June Training Trip for LandSea leaders in northern Michigan. This trip replaces our prior spring break training trip and will equip you with skills for leading overnight backpacking and canoeing trips.
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid – June 19 – 20
- If you are interested in gaining a Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) certification on top of the required WFA & CPR, you may participate in the WAFA course we are offering. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Housing can be is provided for students who are currently living on-campus.
Adirondack Expedition Leader Training & Program Dates
Required
- Wilderness First Aid – April 29 – 30
- This training will take all day on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be provided.
- If you cannot attend this Wilderness First Aid course, Outdoor Programs staff will work with you to acquire the trainings elsewhere prior to the start of the program.
- If you already have a current Wilderness Medicine certification and can provide proof of current certification (must run through the program dates), you will not need to complete the Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification.
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid – June 19 – 20
- If you cannot attend the required Wilderness Advanced First Aid course, you will need to acquire the trainings elsewhere prior to the start of the program.
- If you already have a current Wilderness Medicine certification and can provide proof of equivalent, current certification, you will not need to complete this training.
- Program-Specific Training for Adirondack Leaders – August 5 – 19
- This training takes place in New York prior to the start of the LandSea Adirondacks Program. It will include trainings on interpersonal and technical skills required for the Adirondack Basecamp and Expedition programs.
- LandSea Adirondack Program – August 19 – September 5
- Participants depart NY on September 4th. Leaders will stay for additional duties until September 5th when the leaders will begin the return drive to campus.
- Return to Campus & Gear Clean-Up Day – September 6
- Leaders will finish the return drive to campus on September 6 and help Outdoor Programs staff to store & clean gear.
Optional, Highly Recommended Additional Training
- Wilderness First Responder – June 21 – 24
- A WFR certification is fairly standard in the larger outdoor job market – this is an optional opportunity to gain further wilderness medicine training to add to your repertoire. This is optional for LandSea Expedition leaders but highly recommended. It is required to lead our higher-skilled trips.
- If you have a current WAFA, we have designed the course so that you may opt out of the first handful of days of training. Please contact the Directors for more information.
Religious observance during training and LandSea
We recognize there are times when the dates of LandSea or leader training may occur during major religious, spiritual, or cultural holidays and events. If you have any questions about how your religious or spiritual practice might be accommodated within the confines of the trip or training, please contact the Outdoor Programs office.