DOC First-Year Trips / Info for Leaders / Being a Leader

Being a Leader

What is a Trip Leader?

Being a Trip Leader is what many Dartmouth students call one of the greatest and most rewarding experiences of their college career. A Trip Leader has the unique opportunity to help nurture in a close-knit group of 6-10 first-year, international, exchange, or transfer students. Trip Leaders are the Trippees’ first impression of the college and are a resource for them during their transition to Dartmouth Ð ideally both on the Trip and throughout the school year.

What Does a Trip Leader Do?

Trip Leaders are responsible for making Trips work. They are the individuals entrusted with making sure that the trip itself is both fun and safe. They are the ones who know the route, basic wilderness survival skills, risk assessment, and are responsible for maintaining group dynamics (we will train you for all of these!!)

What Do We Look for in a Trip Leader?

Despite common myths, Trip Leaders are NOT chosen merely on their outdoor experience. Many of the best Trip Leaders have had little to no experience in the outdoors. Instead, Trip Leader applications are graded based on hard skills (medical certification, experience in the outdoors, etc), soft skills (ability to relate to others and create group cohesion), and overall desire to give back to the Trips program and the incoming class. A good Trip Leader has their strengths and their weaknesses and need not have all the aforementioned qualities to be selected.

How Are the Applications Graded?

The applications will be read by previous Trips veterans who have undergone specific training in reading applications. The graders will read applications and assign each a numerical value based on predetermined qualities. Each application will be read by more than one grader, and these grades will be used to determine if and where a Trip Leader will be assigned.

Applications are graded BLIND. This means that a person’s name, year, hometown, gender, contact information, major, identity, physical limitations, and dietary restrictions will not be available for the graders to see. This is done to assure that each applicant is given equal opportunity without bias of any graders who may know the applicant.

More information on the application process can be found on the application itself.

What Does the Leader Training Involve?

Our excellent Leader Training Program consists of three distinct seminars (and the “All-In-One” seminar covers all three together!). In addition, each Trip Leader must be First Aid and CPR certificated for the duration of his/her trip (check out Dartmouth EMS for more information on dates and times for classes).

• Risk Assessment Seminar (RA): Here you will learn everything you’ll need to know to lead your group of trippees safely from beginning to end of your Trip. Topics may include, but are not limited to: allergic reactions, LNT (leave no trace), hypothermia, Vox (what DO they do anyways?), lightening, First Aid (quick overview), pandas (how are they so damn cute?!?), etc.
• Group Dynamics Seminar (GD): Where RA teaches you how to get from point A to point B safely, GD teaches you how to make your journey fun! Here you’ll learn tips and tricks you can use to maintain group harmony on your Trip. First, we think about the social side of the Trips experience … how to establish and maintain great relationships with both your co-leader and your Trippees (both on and off the trail). Then we give you a quick rundown of the Trips experience — from Gilman Island to Moosilauke Ravine Lodge!
• Wilderness Skills Seminar (WS): During WS you’ll learn the basic “hard” wilderness skills you’ll need during your trip. This seminar will be mostly outside and on the move, so please wear appropriate footwear. Experienced leaders (i.e. those who have previously led a First-Year Trip) are exempt from this seminar, but may participate if they are so inclined.
• All-In-One Seminar: This day-long (fun!) session gives you the opportunity to experience all three Seminars consecutively.

See the Leader Calendar for the dates each seminar is offered.