Outdoor Education Leader Staff Training

Gain leadership and teaching experience, as well as outdoor skills - and the confidence that comes from leading others in the outdoors. Apply for the Outdoor Education staff training program.

About the Training Process

The full training experience is nine months of experiential lessons, weekly classes, trips, and apprenticeships that bring you together with other highly engaged and diverse first-years and sophomores. Students who complete the training program are eligible to be hired as Outdoor Education student-staff to teach physical education classes and backyard adventures, lead Wilderness Adventure trips, and provide team building opportunities for the Colgate community.

In addition to weekly classes, you will participate in numerous weekend trips to the Adirondacks and other destinations to strengthen technical skills, learn about risk assessment and management, promote a passion for the natural world, and to develop teaching and leadership skills.

Previous Outdoor Experience Is Not Required

No previous outdoor experience is necessary to be a successful applicant as you will learn everything you need to know to be an excellent OE leader from the training program. Rather, successful applicants will:

  1. Have a sincere interest in teaching and leading their peers
  2. Possess a positive attitude, even in sometimes challenging situations
  3. Demonstrate a commitment to all aspects of the training program and to working for Outdoor Education after training
  4. Bring a diverse set of experiences, backgrounds, and identities to the group and the larger Outdoor Education community
  5. Appreciate and respect the natural and cultural history of the lands on which we travel and recreate

See this informational sheet for more details on the structure and costs associated with the program:
 

2026-2027 Information Sheet


Review the linked calendar for an example schedule of previous training program dates and classes; stay tuned for a finalized 2026-2027 calendar:
 

2025-2026 Calendar


See What Training Looks Like

All images are from Outdoor Education staff training and other programs.

Application Dates, Deadlines, and Process

Applying as a Sophomore - Spring 2026

Info session

Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m. at Basecamp* 

Sophomores are required to attend this info session before applying for Staff Training. If you cannot attend, and still plan to apply, you must email hriley@colgate.edu for additional information before applying. 

*Basecamp is the brown building that looks like a house behind Huntington Gym. See it on the campus map.

Applications due

Monday, April 13, 10 a.m.

Applications are due in PDF format via email to hriley@colgate.edu.

Large Group Interview

Monday, April 13, 7:30-9 p.m.

Anyone who submits an application should attend the Large Group Interview - location to be announced.

Small Group Interview

Wednesday or Thursday, April 15 or 16, after classes

Applicants will be notified in advance if they are invited for a second round interview. These sessions will take place in Basecamp. Applicants will be sent a google form to indicate which of the 4 interview slots you can attend. These sessions will last approximately 1 hour.

Individual Interview

Monday, April 20 - Wednesday, April 22

Applicants will be notified in advance if they are invited for a third round interview. These sessions will take place in Basecamp. You will be sent a google form to sign up for an interview slot. These session will last approximately 20-30 minutes.

Staff Training Decision sent out via email

Monday April 27

Applicants will be notified via email of their acceptance into Outdoor Education Staff Training. 

Staff Training Begins

Friday, September 25, 2026
Applying as a First year - Fall 2026

Details for the Fall selection process are still being finalized, but you can expect it to look similar to the following schedule from 2025.

Info session

Wednesday, September 3, 5 p.m. at Basecamp

First years are required to attend this info session before applying for Staff Training. If you cannot attend, and still plan to apply for staff training, you must email hriley@colgate.edu for additional information before applying.

*Basecamp is the brown building that looks like a house behind Huntington Gym. See it on the campus map.

Applications due

Monday, September 8, 10 a.m.

Applications are due in PDF format via email to hriley@colgate.edu (you can find the application information again in the last section of this page)

Large Group Interview

Monday, September 9, 7:30-9 p.m.

Anyone who submits an application should attend the Large Group Interview in the Hall of Presidents inside the James C. Colgate Student Union.

Small Group Interview

Wednesday or Thursday, September 10 or 11, 4:30 or 6 p.m.

Applicants will be notified in advance if they are invited for a second round interview. These sessions will take place in Basecamp. Applicants will be sent a google form to indicate which of the 4 interview slots you can attend. These sessions will last approximately 1 hour.

Individual Interview

Monday, September 15 - Wednesday, September 17

Applicants will be notified in advance if they are invited for a third round interview. These sessions will take place in Basecamp. You will be sent a google form to sign up for an interview slot. These sessions will last approximately 20-30 minutes.

Staff Training Decision sent out via email

Friday, September 19

Applicants will be notified via email of their acceptance into Outdoor Education Staff Training. 

Staff Training Begins

Friday, September 25, 2026

How to Apply

Please do not complete/submit the application until after you have attended the required info session.

All applications must be submitted as a PDF by email to the Director of Outdoor Education at hriley@colgate.edu.

You must be logged into your Colgate Google account in order to access the document.

On the application, you will be asked to fill out some basic questions, including the date of issue of your drivers license (if you have one), so you may want to have that document on hand before starting the application. You will also be asked to answer several longer essay-style questions, and we strongly encourage you to give yourself ample time to complete them.


Application

Questions?

Heidi Riley
Director of Outdoor Education