Ondessonk Outdoor Education Instructor Training
By Isabelle Linn, Program Coordinator
As the earth thaws and the forest comes back to life, Camp Ondessonk staff are busy preparing for the 2026 Spring Education & Recreation Season. From open camping registrations to overnight outdoor education field trips and programs with local partners, the calendar is packed. The start of a new season provides an opportunity for growth as Ondessonk Outdoor Education Instructors undergo an intensive training that will ready them to support Ondessonk’s mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures for kids of all ages.
This spring, Outdoor Education Training is a month-long experience intentionally designed to deepen the knowledge and elevate the skillset of Camp Ondessonk’s talented Outdoor Education team. Based in experiential learning, this training combines hands-on skill development and practice with reflection and discussion on pedagogical, child-development, and facilitation theories that support the experiences OE instructors provide. The Ondessonk OE team are not only instructors, but also serve as logisticians, food-service assistants, wranglers, counselors, and mentors impacting the experiences of every guest that crosses the Covered Bridge.
In addition to developing the skills and knowledge necessary to meet or exceed industry and Ondessonk standards in the many roles required of Ondessonk OE Instructors, staff training and development at Camp Ondessonk aims to support personal and professional growth that will extend far beyond one season.
While Isabelle Linn, Ondessonk’s Program Coordinator, is the primary instructor for Outdoor Education Training, many voices come together to support this goal as several of Ondessonk’s year-round professionals utilize their knowledge and years of experience to mentor and provide training experiences throughout the course of an OE contract. Development opportunity topics range from program-specific trainings that include instructional methods and safety protocols, to facility logistics and conflict management with both participants and peers.
Some sessions from Spring 2026 OE Training include a Canoe & Kayak Clinic led by Evan Coulson, Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives, Food Safety and Kitchen Procedures led by Paula Foley, Food Services Director, Behavior and Group Management led by Jess Horvath, Program and Hospitality Director, and Health and Sanitation Standards led by Gabi Hodges, Hospitality Technician. Areas that are high-risks or require more technical skills are provided more time during OE Training: Catherine O’Reagan and Tanner Page, Equestrian Director and Equestrian Coordinator, are scheduled to dedicate four full days to developing the OE team’s equestrian and horse-care skills; Nolan Hurst, Camping Services Director, is also scheduled to lead four days of High Challenge Course training. In an effort to further diversify the training experience, lunch-time discussions on topics such as The Restorative Power of Nature, Camp History, Growth Mindset, and the Experiential Learning Cycle will be led by a variety of Ondessonk’s year-round team.
Just as April showers bring May flowers, Camp Ondessonk’s immersive 2026 Spring Outdoor Education Training is set to provide a solid foundation for young professionals who are ready to teach, inspire, and adapt within Camp Ondessonk and the larger Outdoor Industry.
