Leadership Seminar

HOC is always looking for new members of the community who are interested in and dedicated to the outdoors to become new Trip Leaders and Officers

HOC has its own leadership training program that we call the Leaderhip Seminar. It consists of 2-3 seminar classess held on campus in which we cover topics such as:

Teaching a Skill
Dressing for the Backcountry
Stove Use / Cooking
Trip Planning
Food Planning & Purchase
Gear Sign-out & Return
Packing a Pack
Leave-No-Trace
Risk Management
Leadership & Group Dynamics

Afer the seminar portion of the training, there is an two-day, two-night backpacking trip in which key skills are tested in the field, and potential leaders learn more about risk management, Leave-No-Trace and Leadership.

When interest is high enough (and knowledgable leaders are available) HOC also holds a Canoe Leadership seminar. This training consists of the same classroom seminar portion, but the trip is a 2-day overnight canoe trip.

If you would like more information about becoming a HOC trip leader please come down to HOC during open hours and speak to one of the HOC Officers.

Leadership Seminar Materials

Wondering what to bring with you, how much food you will need, or what important skills to teach your group? Here are some useful ideas and checklists from HOC:

Warm Weather Backpacking Gear List*

Moderate Weather Backpacking Gear List*

Cold Weather Backpacking Gear List*

Group Equiptment List*

First Aid Kit Inventory

3-Season Teaching Plan*

Menu Planning*

Trip Expenses*

Trip Log*

Also Check out the Princeton Outdoor Action Web Site for lots of infomation on Leadership Training
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/programs/index.shtml

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read some of these files - download it free

What most people don't realze is that there is a lot to do at HOC other than lead trips. There are lots of other ways to contribute to the Outing Club. Getting involved with HOC is easier than you might think. Article 6 of the Hamilton Outing Club Constitution states:

"Members may become officers by contributing a minimum of four hours of work per month for a semester or the equivalent time period."

There is almost always something to do down at HOC so getting involved is really quite easy. If you would like to lead trips then you need to sign up for the HOC leadership seminar. This seminar is not intended to teach you a lot of outdoor skills, but rather to introduce you to the world of leading your fellow students into the outdoors.

Questions? Comments? Just email hocon@hamilton.edu or come down to HOC from 7-9pm on Mondays or Thursdays, and we'll be happy to answer your questions.