What is a typical trip leader like?
Our typical trip leader is a college graduate with 3 to 5 years of teaching experience. Most have worked with kids in a variety of educational and outdoor settings. They possess great amounts of emotional energy and are excited to have the opportunity to work with kids in an outdoor setting.
What is the most important quality that you look for in your leaders?
We seek out and employ mature adults, who by their resume of experiences and references have demonstrated an interest and an ability to work effectively with teenagers.
Where do you find your staff?
Our staff comes from all parts of the United States. We work closely with our veteran staff, the Environmental Education Centers that many of them work at and several private schools that have strong outdoor education programs.
How old are they?
Trailmark's average staff person is about 26 years old.
Is there is male and female leader on each trip?
Yes. There will be at least one male and one female on every trip. Trailmark maintains a 6:1 student to staff ratio.
What type of training does your staff receive?
All staff members have received Wilderness First Aid, ARC CPR, ACA Canoe & ARC Lifegaurding training with many holding advanced certifications. Staff members participate in an intensive pre-summer orientation in their respective regions. This training includes Trailmark policy and procedure review, specific skill review, equipment orientation and a trip into the field to meet with independent activity instructors and campground owners.
Are trip leaders also skill instructors?
Most. We have specific staff that come in and provide instruction. Many of our staff are capable of instructing technical skills, however, we feel specialty staff provide the best instruction.
Do you do background searches on your staff?
Yes. We do both criminal and drivers license checks.