Alaska Mountain Guides International

Why AMG Meet the Guides Guest Comments Press Partners FAQ Employment

The Wilderness Education Association

The WEA is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to educate the general public and outdoor leaders in the appropriate use of wildlands and protected areas by developing and implementing educational curricula, programs, public service information campaigns and by forming strategic alliances with federal land management agencies, conservation groups and all organizations that benefit from wildlands and feel that the existence of the wildlands is important to the quality of all life. Internationally recognized for his pioneering role in the development of wilderness education, Paul K. Petzoldt was the impetus behind WEA. Other founders of the first WEA included Chuck Gregory, Bob Christie, and Frank Lupton, all leaders in their own right. Unhappy with a lack of ethical, outdoor leadership, they envisioned a network of decentralized affiliates teaching from a standard program, as rich in environmental decency as it was in leadership. A curriculum now known as the 18-point curriculum was designed to be used in the different courses that are now offered through the WEA.

WEA Mission and Programmatic Intent
The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) is a not-for-profit membership organization that promotes national wilderness education and preservation programs by:
• Serving a membership composed of students, university professors, outdoor professionals, organizations, concerned citizens, and federal and state land management agency personnel;
• Providing for-credit, expedition-based wilderness leadership training programs through affiliated colleges, universities and private organizations nationwide;
• Developing and publishing state-of-the-art wilderness education materials and training manuals to support courses and program development;
• Promoting and conducting scholarly research programs in wilderness education, wilderness management and outdoor leadership;
• Establishing and maintaining nationally recognized standards for outdoor leadership training and certification;
• Collaborating with and providing technical support for other outdoor professional organizations and wildland management agencies to promote wilderness education and to help foster a land ethic throughout the general population.

“Wilderness Preservation Through Education”

The Wilderness Education Association's Background
The WEA was founded in 1977 by Paul K. Petzoldt and other outdoor leaders from the academic community concerned with excellence in outdoor leadership development and the role of education in the preservation of this country’s wilderness areas. Convinced that the survival of the American Wilderness and the safety of those seeking to enjoy it, required a massive educational effort, WEA founders set out to develop an organization which could train outdoor leaders and the general public to instill a sense of stewardship toward the wildlands. In addition, to provide the skills and knowledge base necessary to lead and teach the public in the appropriate use of wilderness areas. The result is one of the most comprehensive wilderness education and outdoor leadership training organizations in the world.
Integral to the mission of the WEA is to introduce and promote wilderness education and outdoor leadership within mainstream academic institutions. Historically, expedition-based outdoor leadership courses have been offered as extra-curricular opportunities outside of academically-based schools and disciplines. The WEA believes that wilderness education and outdoor leadership must be incorporated into all levels of the American educational system in order to:
• Elevate wilderness education and preservation in the minds of students and future leaders across the country;
• Help develop a land ethic consistent with the ideals of the Wilderness Act;
• Establish wilderness education and outdoor leadership as a legitimate academic and professional field of study; and,
• Provide students with the opportunity to receive academic credit and conduct research in wilderness education and outdoor leadership within their own accredited institutions.
• WEA provides professional instruction, leadership training and wilderness travel for “Promoting safe, ethical and professional wilderness leaders."

18 Point Curriculum:
Good judgment is the umbrella that covers the 18 points. It is the pervasive leadership quality that grows from the exercise of decision-making in a leadership role. The development of good judgment is the philosophical and educational objective underlying all 18 points. 1. Decision Making and Problem Solving
2. Leadership
3. Expedition Behavior and Group Dynamics
4. Environmental Ethics
5. Basic Camping Skills
6. Nutrition and Ration Planning
7. Equipment and Clothing Selection/Use
8. Weather
9. Health and Sanitation
10. Travel Techniques
11. Navigation
12. Safety and Risk Management
13. Wilderness Emergency Procedures and Treatment
14. Natural and Cultural History
15. Specialized Travel/Adventure Activity
16. Communication Skills
17. Trip Planning
18. Teaching Processing and Transference

Please contact us if you have any questions, or, if you would like any additional information.

Phone: 1.800.766.3396
Email: info@alaskamountainguides.com

|||||

Phone: 1.800.766.3396
Email: info@alaskamountainguides.com
Copyright 2006. Alaska Mountain Guides International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
*All operations outside of the US & Canada are run in conjunction with Alaska Mountain Guides International Inc.
*All operations within the US & Canada are run in conjunction with Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School Inc.