Choosing a Course: Contemplation

MUIR TREK LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

The Muir Trek is a sunrise to sunset journey through a wild place no one really knows. Inspired by the writings of the Scottish-American naturalist, John Muir, the trek seeks to guide its participants in experiencing the richness of a single day through the Muir-inspired qualities of zest, celebration, joy, and adventure in the natural world. This 3 ½ day workshop takes potential Muir Trek leaders through all aspects of a trek, including preparation, recruitment, registration, leadership, and inputs, just as they will guide a small band of wanderers in discovering the wonders of a natural area. Experiencing and later reviewing the eleven inputs leaders present throughout the day help the participants keep the focus on the natural world and their response to it, while preparing them to do the same when they lead a trek. On a Muir Trek the role of the leader is to guide individuals in exploring their own personal relationship with the planet, rather than encouraging group development and bonding. It is an important difference.

Each day of the workshop focuses on a different component of Muir Trek leadership:

•  Overview of earth education and how to prepare participants for the Muir Trek
•  Experiencing a sunrise to sunset Muir Trek in a wild place no one really knows
•  Processing the “inputs” and analyzing the leadership skills required for presenting them
•  Reviewing special leader materials and exploring ways to promote and publicize Muir Treks

Please Note: Before the workshop, all participants must complete a registration form, a regionally appropriate liability and release form, a detailed leader’s application, and sign and agree to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement for Muir Trek Leaders as outlined by The Institute for Earth Education. Muir Treks can be conducted only with the per participant materials purchased from the institute.