ALPSS: Green Mountain College

ALPSS

Adventure Leadership Program for Students & Staff

Applications for Spring ALPSS are due April 15, 2013. Application materials may be found on the sidebar. Please review GreenMAP Leader expectations and Leader Manual prior to application.

Winter ALPSS will occur January 6-13, 2013.
Spring ALPSS will occur May 12-19, 2013.

What is ALPSS?
ALPSS stands for Adventure Leadership Programming for Students and Staff and is mandatory training for all GreenMAP Leaders.

The ALPSS Program
ALPSS courses take place twice a year. Prospective leaders are trained in GreenMAP philosophy, policies and procedures, group management, basic outdoor education strategies, assessment, and feedback.

Winter ALPSS occurs the week before the spring semester starts and includes the Winter Travel Management GreenMAPIT. Students winter camp and are trained in managing backcountry ski/snowboard and snowshoe trips as well as general backcountry skills for the winter environment.

Spring ALPSS occurs the week after commencement in May. Students are trained in the management of backpacking and canoeing groups. Spring ALPSS includes an ACA Essentials of Canoeing course.

Why be a GreenMAP Leader?
Confidence, fun, respect, experience, community, and identity are some good reasons. There are also free trips, training, and gear rentals, prodeals, GreenMAP clothes, and driving 11 passenger vans. Students from all majors – just not adventure education - are encouraged to become GreenMAP leaders. Having a variety of majors brings a diversity of experience that makes the program such a fun and excellent learning community. You don’t have to be a student either; we welcome faculty and staff to become leaders as well.

Do I need to be a hardcore outdoors person?
No! Having outdoor experience is a plus, but the GreenMAP training and mentoring program can give you most of the experience you need. The most important attributes for aspiring leaders are an open mind and a willingness to learn.

How do I become a GreenMAP Leader?
Meet the prerequisites:

Four semesters left at Green Mountain College.
Previous experience in at least one of the activities commonly offered by GreenMAP.
Attend a minimum of six field days as a GreenMAP participant.
If you meet the prerequisites apply by submitting the application and experience inventory prior to the established deadline to the Director of Adventure Programs.

The Commitment

Being a GreenMAP Leader is an annual commitment. Expectations of ALPSS graduates are as follows:

Go as a trip helper or assistant on a minimum of three trips totalling at least five field days the semester following ALPSS.
The GreenMAP ALPSS program is designed to be experienced based – therefore leaders are required to attend five trips totalling 8 field days per year in any capacity.
Attend the trip leader meetings each semester.
Attend a minimum of one GreenMAPIT (GreenMAP Institutional Training) per year.
Complete/maintain a current wilderness medical certification.
Serve as a leader for Wilderness Challenge, Green Mountain College's Freshmen Orientation Program.