During the first week of June, Wilderness Inquiry hosted our inaugural Outdoor Career Academy (OCA), a leadership training program that introduced 47 high school students to careers in the outdoors. During the three days, students paddled Voyageur canoes, connected with peers who have similar career interests, and attended lectures and professional training.
Participants first learned how to be effective servant leaders through team building activities, the Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership, and practicing group facilitation skills.
I learned so much about being a leader, learned more about myself, and how I can improve my leadership skills!” – OCA youth participant
With their new leadership abilities, participants learned about skills and certifications professionals need when working in the outdoors. Each student earned certifications in Leave No Trace and First Aid, completed Wilderness Inquiry’s interpretive training, and set up a campsite.
The Academy also introduced students to several professionals from Minnesota Green Corps, the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other private and public sector organizations. These conversations helped students to understand the steps they needed to work towards careers in the outdoors.
On the last day of the Academy, students were given a tour of WI headquarters, which ignited even more excitement and confidence in the participants when they saw the long rows of canoes and camp gear.
When we got to go on the tour of the office and Maddie explained all the things [Wilderness Inquiry] does and how you do it, it was awesome! That was what really got me hooked.” – OCA youth participant
The Outdoor Career Academy selected applicants from St. Paul’s Right Track and Minneapolis’ Step Up programs, which provide Twin Cities youth with employment opportunities and job training. The students who participated in the OCA represented diverse Twin Cities communities and cultural backgrounds.
Many of the students were thrilled to go home to their families and share what they learned about all that Minnesota has to offer. Many students said they wanted the Academy to last longer! We are already planning for next year, hoping to make the Academy one week instead of three days, include a night of camping, and a second-year program for this year’s alumni.
David says
What a great group of youth and an awesome program. Keep it up!
Karin Swainey says
Looks like such an amazing opportunity for our youth! Looking forward to seeing and learning more about your experiences! Hope you are all enjoying you work. 🙂
Kurt Simer says
This is an amazing program which is confronting one of the challenges faced by the outdoor education community – how to increase equity in outdoor programming. Wilderness Inquiry is helping to create life-long stewards of our environment and teaching these youth the joys that come from recreating in wild places.
Rachel says
It’s great to see a local organization taking steps towards increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of outdoor recreation. Thank you for hosting such a critical program, can’t wait to see how it grows over the next few years!
Asha Shoffner says
Excellent photos, documenting an imperative initiative. Thank you for sharing and for creating opportunities for more youth to get trained and employment in outdoor rec! Cheers!
Katie Pata says
Inspiring! Congratulations to all the young adults who signed up for this excellent opportunity and stayed through the commitment to graduation!
Minnesota is excited to see more and more people working in the outdoors–with so many nature centers, cities, counties and other agencies hiring people to work in the outdoors, this experience is a great resume builder!
Look for internships posted on: https://www.seek.state.mn.us/jobs as a next step in your outdoor career path. Congratulations again!