SOLE - An 200+ hour technical and leadership training program.
Want to lead others?
What to learn about outdoor adventure leadership?
Want to have the best job on campus?
You are in the right place.
Student Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) is the most in-depth, long-term outdoor leadership development program on campus.
SOLE is unlike any other course or training program you ever had. The class focuses on learning technical skills like climbing, kayaking, biking, backpacking, and other backcountry travel while simultaneously diving into leadership, communication, teaching, risk management and other skills needed to be an outdoor leader. Each weekend is long and in-depth, so a strong commitment to learning is needed to be successful in this class.
Learn how to: rock climb, whitewater kayak, bikepack, backpack and canoe, then learn how to easily and comfortably take others outside with your leadership and teaching skills.
If you make it through the 200+ hours (over 4 weekends and weeklong expedition), you’ll have the skills to join the staff, whether with us or for another outfitter. SOLE is the main way people become adventure trip staff for UTOP.
What past experience do I (you) need?
To join the SOLE course, you should have some outdoor experience, like hiking or paddling with the family, climbing with a high school club team, or being involved with scouts. No in-depth experience is necessary, but you should be ready to be pushed beyond your comfort zone.
You don’t need a lot of experience, but if you have never hiked, or paddled, or biked, then you should wait to take this course.
If you are a really good climber, boater, backpacker, or biker, but you haven’t formally taught or lead groups, this course will still be of benefit to you.
If you have guided before (at a summer camp or with a private outfitter) or have a strong technical background but lack experience teaching, talk with us about whether this course is needed, or if you can just apply to become Outdoor Pursuits trip staff.
Questions? Email Josh Elder at jelder5@utk.edu or call 865-974-8261.
Dates will be announced soon.
Wilderness Medical Training
Wilderness First Aid (8 hours each day, not overnight) – Date information will be announced soon.
As a SOLE candidate, you receive a highly discounted rate to attend the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course. WFA is required to become a trip leader. Some SOLE candidates already have a WFA or WFR* and do not need to take this course.
*WFA/WFR must be from a nationally recognized provider.
Additional Trainings
If you successfully gained the necessary experiences and skills (through SOLE and on your own time), you may be eligible for additional technical trainings that UTOP offers.These sessions are in-depth and build on skills and experiences staff already have.
Trainings in whitewater kayak instruction, rock climbing instruction, and Swiftwater rescue are offered through UTOP.
Course Includes:
- NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) 16-hour certification course
*Note: Registration is discounted for the class, but not included in the SOLE course fee. - Training in rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, backpacking, navigation, & leadership
- All equipment
- All food and camping
- Transportation to/from training sites
- Instruction from the professional staff with over 20+ years of experience.
Cost
The cost for this 200+ hour training course.
- Total Course Cost: $170
Where does SOLE take place?
SOLE happens a little bit on campus, but most of it is in the wilderness.
Weekend technical training trips are on the rivers, cliffs, and trails throughout Tennessee.
As a SOLE student, you will work with the professional staff and current student trip leaders to plan 1 of the 5 weekend courses.
Applications will open on the first day of classes (August 17) and close on September 13. A link to the application will be available on this page when the application period begins.
We enroll up to 12 students in SOLE each year.
If you have guiding experience and a WFA or WFR, and you want to lead trips for us, you may not need to take this entire course. Contact us at [email protected] to send us your resume and let us know your experience.
Most likely not. There is no makeup session, and we don’t have time to get you caught up. You are welcome to apply still and let us know what date(s) you can’t make.
No academic credit is given for this course.
You need to be comfortable outside. You should spend some amount of time moving around in nature, and ahve a desire to learn more. We prefer candidates with some experience in one of these activities (biking, climbing, paddling etc..), but if you are willing to do the work, then let’s chat. If you have little to no experience, go on trips for a semester or two and then apply!
Zero. Yup. Zero. If you have some certs, cool! Icing on the cake, but you don’t need any. Through SOLE, you’ll take a 16 hour national recognized NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course so you’ll end up with at least one + rad first-hand knowledge and experience.
We do not require that SOLE students lead trips for our program. However, this class is our primary tool for developing trip leaders, and strong preference is given to those who are interested in becoming UTOP adventure trip leaders.