WWO adventures are made possible by a talented and committed team of numerous volunteers. While office staff, trip leaders, and executive board members all play an important role, Trip Leaders are the backbone of WWO. In order to continue to provide the number and types of trips WWO offers, it is extremely important to maintain a large pool of Trip Leaders.
Enthusiasm for the outdoors and wilderness skills are only the beginning. It takes organization and perseverance to take an idea from planning stages through trip logistics to boots on the ground.
Trip Leaders facilitate the numerous diverse trips that WWO provides its members. All of these Leaders are very special people because they give not only their time and energy, but also their love and spirit. Our Leaders are known to infect trip participants with a passion for the outdoors and a thrill for adventure.
We scout our hiking and biking trips. Each trip is led by two Trip Leaders. One Leader stays at the front of the group and the second Leader is the sweep. Each participant is encouraged to participate at her own pace so they enjoy their experience and come back to the outdoors. The sweep is there to ensure that no one is left behind.
WWO offers two types of trips that require planning and leadership roles: In-House Trips and Outfitter Trips. Like any challenge worth embracing, becoming a WWO Trip Leader takes practice.
For In-House Trips, Leaders are responsible for the entirety of the trip, which includes planning, scouting, advising and teaching participants about outdoor equipment and outdoor skills. In-House Trip Leaders present trip details in written format, ensure necessary forms are completed, provide leadership support during the trip and provide feedback to the Program Chair after the trip.
To become an In-House Trip Leader:
For Outfitter Trips, Leaders serve as the liaison between the Outfitter and trip participants. Outfitter Trip Leaders present trip details in written format, coordinate trip logistics between the Outfitter and the participants, ensure that necessary forms are completed, provide leadership support during the trip and provide feedback to the Program Chair after the trip.
To become an Outfitter Trip Leader:
WWO reimburses each Leader up to $100 per year in leadership training expenses. To be eligible for reimbursement, a Leader must lead or assist on at least two trips within a year of completing the training.
• For up to $50 reimbursement, a Leader must lead two trips.
• For up to $100 reimbursement, a Leader must lead three or more trips.
Leaders and assistants do not pay trip fees. This doesn’t really translate into “free” because of all the labor that goes into planning and leading a trip, but it is a benefit of leadership. On Outfitted trips, Leaders pay a discounted leader fee that covers the expense of the outfitter plus other direct trip expenses.
Develop confidence and competence in outdoor skills, as well as leadership skills.
An opportunity for camaraderie with other women who have a love for the outdoors. Share outdoor adventures with women outside of WWO.
WWO carries an accidental injury insurance policy for volunteers that pays medical benefits in excess of any primary coverage for covered expenses that result directly from injury caused by a covered accident.
The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer First Aid and CPR training. The cost of the courses is reimbursable after you have led or assisted on two WWO trips. As often as possible, Washington Women Outdoors facilitates a First Aid and CPR training certification course free-of-charge for Leaders and Leaders-in-Training.
WWO holds Leadership Training free-of-charge for Leaders and Leaders-in- Training. This course covers all aspects of being a Leader for Washington Women Outdoors, from planning and preparing a trip, conducting the trip, to follow-up afterwards.
