THANK YOU ACADEMY STAFF!!!!

(except you Meesh...you made me want to cry daily)

The T.A.'s 30th Summer has come and gone.......

I am sitting back in my Silver Bell office chair trying to make sense of the whirlwind that has been our lives for the past three months. I have so many wonderful images in my head of kids and instructors charging the Southwest in pursuit of dirt, looking for laughs and exploring the outdoors! I am so thankful to have been a part of such a milestone summer for this organization. We ran more programs than ever and found ourselves branching out into new areas of outdoor adventures. Duckies and self support canoe trips are finding their way into our days. Bigger treks into the wilderness and urban skate adventures gave young teens an opportunity to get out of the box and challenge themselves in new and exciting ways. We had young Free Range Kids gettin' down on the farm for two weeks of double overnights and Fantasy Freakers slaying dragons and riding horse...there was an adventure for everyone.

My sincerest gratitude to all of you for sharing with your students such a high level of creativity, passion and energy. Your role as a Field Instructor is demanding and challenging with long hours and short paychecks. However, you choose to focus on the positive aspects of fostering a healthy, engaging and fun environment for your students and all of the rewards that come from this experience. I hope that your time spent at the Academy and the memories that you obtained here will serve as reminders, long into the future, as to the importance of outdoor education and exploration. We all know the competing forces that exist in a child's life in this modern age and how the role we play serves as a way to create balance and establish an appreciation for places wild.

I hope that all of you are well out there in the world. Academy instructors now dot the globe in their pursuit for adventure, education, enlightenment and fun! Please consider the Academy your home and let us know where the wind takes you. It has been a true privilege and honor to work with all of you and not only see you share your passion with your students but to personally learn from your experiences  not only as passionate educators but as unique and talented human beings!

Peace.....Luke

Please check-in with the News from the Academy page to get updates and for upcoming dates to remember.

All Instructors need to create a  User Profile and staff bio in STEP 1. Please upload a picture to go along with your bio. If you are a returning staff member please update your bio for 2010.

 All instructors need to complete the required background check.  Follow the provided directions included in STEP 2.  All instructors will also need to print off a release form and mail a signed copy to the Academy no later than May 14th. Lastly, you will need to send in copies of a driving license and any medical and teaching certifications.

 All instructors need to print off a copy of the 2010 staff handbook and a 2010 staff handbook contract. Please read it and return the signed contract to the Academy no later than May 14th. Please make sure to read and print all other required forms found in STEP 3 and bring them with you to staff training.

 New staff needs to plan a one-week program with a theme on the provided blank itinerary form provided.  This needs to be brought to the new staff training on June 7th.