Wilderness Inquiry’s Adventure Leadership Program
 Wilderness Inquiry's Adventure Leadership Program (ALP) is a year-round program for young people interested in becoming inclusive outdoor leaders—the style of leadership that Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is known for. ALP is for youth of all backgrounds and abilities between the ages of 13 and 18 and helps young people learn outdoor skills, enhance social competence, and develop the ability to lead diverse groups of people. Patterned after WI’s staff training program, ALP activities include hands-on trainings, community events, and multi-day wilderness trips. ALP is a year-round program, with most multi-day wilderness trips happening in the summer, and evening or weekend activities taking place on a monthly basis throughout the school year.
While there are many elements to ALP that are unique, the primary difference between ALP and other youth outdoor leadership programs is that it is inclusive. Approximately 1/3rd of every ALP group is composed of youth who have disabilities. We also actively recruit youth of color and those from different cultural backgrounds. Our goal is to have ALP participants reflect the growing diversity of the U.S. population. All youth are treated as peers and equals.
 There are three sequential levels (years) of ALP: Base Camp, Vista, and Summit. Each ALP group has ample opportunity to develop skills within their small peer group and opportunities to share and learn from youth in other ALP cohort groups. Activities at every level of ALP include four extended wilderness trips for a total of 23-28 days on trail in the summer, 15 days or evenings in town, and 3 weekend overnights throughout the school year.
ALP is a lot of fun, but it is much more than a recreational program. It provides a foundation that young people can build upon for the rest of their lives. Below is a summary of the skills taught in each level.
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Base Camp - Level 1
The ALP Base Camp curriculum provides an introduction to a wide range of outdoor hard-skills. No prior outdoor experience is necessary. Throughout the program year, Base Campers learn about camping, outdoor equipment, meal preparation, permits and reservations, and trip planning. Base Camp participants graduate with competency in the following areas: |
- Camping, camp safety, camp crafts, fire building and Leave No Trace practices
- Canoeing, boat rescue, and water safety
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Wilderness trip planning, including gear, food and routes
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Pack-in and pack-out procedure for wilderness trips
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Gear selection, proper use, maintenance, and repair
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Outdoor cooking, kitchen set-up, good nutrition and a healthy diet
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Orienteering, including use of map and compass
- Cultural and natural history topics in tripping areas
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Vista - Level 2
The ALP Vista curriculum focuses on working with diverse groups of people, including disability awareness, cultural competence, and the principles of inclusion. Youth build on outdoor skills developed in ALP Base Camp as they plan and conduct four wilderness canoe, kayak, or hiking trips and focus on inclusion in an outdoor setting. |
| Throughout the program year, ALP Vista participants explore the concepts of inclusion and strategies for greater inclusion of all people. Vista ALPers develop new ways of communicating and learn to build positive relationships with diverse populations. Vista participants graduate with competency in the following areas: |
- WI’s Universal Program Participation Model—the foundation for the success of our integrated outdoor adventures.
- WI's 7-Steps of Integration and Delegation
- The 4 Principles of Adaptation and Universal Design
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Causes and issues of the 20 most common disabling conditions
- Cultural differences among the ten major ethnic minorities in the U.S.
- Cultural competence and person first language
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Acceptance and cooperation of all members of a group
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Individual abilities and limits, including one’s personal abilities and limits
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Recognizing the needs of each individual as well as the entire group
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Summit - Level 3
The ALP Summit curriculum focuses on developing leadership skills. Summit is geared for young people with a significant amount of outdoor and inclusion experience. Emphasis is placed on group management skills including conflict resolution, group communication, judgment and decision-making, situational leadership, and servant leadership. These are the skills required for leading diverse groups in any context. |
| Throughout the program year, Summit participants explore the nuances of leading diverse groups by planning and conducting four wilderness trips, as well as assisting WI staff on day trips, workshops, and extended trips with regular WI participants. During the school year, Summit ALPers will be introduced to various educational and career opportunities through our partnerships with the National Park Service, REI, the MN DNR, Northland College, the University of MN and others. Summit ALPers graduate with competency in the following areas: |
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Expedition and multi-day wilderness trip planning
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Leadership concepts like servant leadership and situational leadership
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Stamina and personal fortitude required to lead diverse groups through all conditions
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Effective communication of policies and procedures
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Safety and risk management strategies
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Professional behavior and dress
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Ability to respectfully and effectively express ideas
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Conflict resolution
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Assessment of group ability and energy level
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Outdoor education opportunities and career planning
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ALP - Main Page
ALP - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
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