In 2006, Rare Earth Adventures (REA) affiliated with the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) with many goals in mind. Our goal was to become involved with an association that promoted environmental integration and envisioned national recognition of our profession.
In 2009, REA was one of the first affiliates to obtain an accredited-provisional status with the WEA. Our accredited status continues to add more credibility to our outdoor education models used to train individuals at all levels.
Maintaining our affiliation requires our staff to be heavily involved with the WEA at all levels. Some of our staff are current and former board members and all of our staff participate in one or multiple working committee’s for the WEA. Since 2006, our involvement with the WEA has helped shaped the curriculum requirements for the WEA.
Program Highlights:
- Accredited Outdoor Leadership (OL) Curriculum. Click here for more information on OL Curriculum.
- Professional Certificate in Outdoor Leadership.
- Flexible course layout through the Core Competency Module (CCM) structure.
- Technical Certification through our Technical Training Module (TTM) structure.
- Dynamic opportunities to develop individualized internships and apprenticeships.
- Registration and professional electronic portfolio services within the WEA International Registry of Outdoor Leaders (IROL).
- Over 40 combined years of Outdoor Leadership training expertise.
Our program is designed for individuals who have minimal to working expedition experience and wish to receive the WEA’s Outdoor Leadership Certification and pursue or continue a career in the fields of adventure travel, outdoor education, wilderness therapy or any field that requires a leader capable of planning, organizing, leading and executing a safe and environmentally sound wilderness expedition.
Course graduates are able to:
- Use and teach state-of-the-art minimum impact camping and travel techniques.
- Safely manage stationary or moving sites.
- Exercise good quality judgment and decision-making skills within a leadership position.
- Recognize their own leadership abilities and limitations within the context of a group.
- Analysis and implement a risk management plan that is designed to mitigate risk, accidental mishap and survival situations.
- Efficiently travel in the wilderness utilizing technical skills, such as canoeing, canyoneering, glacier travel, ice climbing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and snow travel.
Open Enrollment Courses: The open enrollment courses are designed to allow aspiring and working professionals to obtain Outdoor Leadership Certification through one of our standardized courses at a pre-determined location. Click here for Open Enrollment course locations & dates
Custom Developed Courses: In addition to our open enrollment courses, REA offers tailored training to your institution or program needs. We will consult with you and help you determine the best approach to satisfying your unique requirements – within your budget and in accordance with your time constraints. Our customized training is designed and executed by the same curriculum development experts and instructors who create and validate all of REA’s outstanding courses. More information
Internship / Apprenticeship Programs: The REA Internship Program is designed to support the acquisition of practical industry experience for future backcountry professionals and to meet university degree requirements. We have several internship opportunities that range from trip leading, curriculum development, business development, marketing, and web-design. The REA Apprenticeship Program is designed to support the individual pursuing WEA Accredited Outdoor Leadership Instructor Status.
