The Hiking Leadership course is designed to teach experienced hikers to plan and safely lead group hikes with skill and confidence, for mountaineers, or family and friends. Course materials focus on group leadership skills; mountain safety and emergency preparedness; hike planning and organizing; also the use of topographical maps and compass. "Safe Effective Leadership" is the key emphasis. Real scenarios are evaluated in class to expand experience.

There are three classroom sessions and two mentored hikes, as follows:

February 14:  Mountain safety/emergency procedures; hike planning/organizing.
February 21:  Map and compass.
February 26:  The first mentored hike will demonstrate field use of map and compass,
and is a class completion requirement.  
March 6:       The Short Course in Effective Leadership; also: Wilderness Scenarios review.           
TBD:           The second mentored hike will require each new leader to list and competently lead a group hike; also demonstrate the use of map and compass, and identify specific locations to the group.

Location:       CKFR Fire Station 51, 10955 Silverdale Way, Silverdale, WA 98383
Time:             6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

References: Kitsap Mountaineers Hike Leaders Guide "The Hiking Leaders Guide".  PDF format; participants are required to download and be familiar with its contents prior to the first course lecture.
"Common Sense Leadership" - a Handbook for Success, Roger Fulton.
"Outdoor Leadership" - Technique, Common Sense & Self Confidence, John Graham, Mountaineer Books.

Mentored Hikes: Every new leader must go on a minimum of two mentored hikes with an established leader before they can be added to the hike leader's list and lead hikes on their own. The purpose of this is twofold: It will provide the new leader first hand experience in leading a typical group of Mountaineer hikers, with the opportunity to learn from some of our best leaders. Second, it gives the Hiking Committee the opportunity to examine the overall effectiveness of the course by having our best leaders also evaluate the knowledge and leadership skills gained by our new leaders.                                                                 
Course graduation will require a First Aid/CPR class certificate from a local fire station or equivalent certification, current to within 3 years.

Contact Instructor: Dave Burton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (360) 876-2229