Challenges for Current & Future Outdoor Facilitators

Certifications and Training: While some outdoor facilitators already hold certifications in areas such as wilderness first aid and outdoor leadership, others don’t know how to access them - or how to properly vet the quality, value and relevance of them. Cost, time commitment and availability are just a few of the challenges in accessing advanced training opportunities. Pursuing certifications in specialized areas such as risk management, wilderness therapy, water based sports, climbing or environmental education could require a significant investment of resources and effort.

Professional Networking: Building a strong professional network within the outdoor industry can be essential for career advancement, but it may be challenging for individuals to connect with peers and mentors, especially for BIPOC or disabled individuals. Finding opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, or networking events may require prioritizing time and resources, as well as overcoming logistical barriers.

Career Progression: Many outdoor facilitators aspire to take on leadership roles or pursue new career paths within the outdoor education field and beyond - examples include program management, curriculum development, and consulting. However, advancement opportunities may be limited within their current organization and/or require relocation to different geographic regions with more robust job markets.

Continued Learning and Innovation: As the outdoor industry evolves, outdoor facilitators must stay updated on emerging trends, best practices, and technological advancements in outdoor education and facilitation. Keeping pace with ongoing professional development while balancing responsibilities as an outdoor facilitator can be challenging and often require proactive efforts to seek out relevant resources and training opportunities.

Financial Sustainability: Outdoor facilitators are often passionate about their work, but may face financial constraints or instability associated with the seasonal and freelance nature of outdoor facilitation (burnout and lack of affordable housing to name a few examples). Finding ways to generate consistent income, secure funding for professional development initiatives, or diversify revenue streams through services like guiding, instruction, or consulting could be essential for long-term financial sustainability.

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