Delaware Valley’s 2023 Outdoor Leadership Training course

The AMC-DV’s annual Outdoor Leadership Training course took place this year on the weekend of March 25-26 in the Environmental Education Center at Nockamixon State Park. The “Class of 2023” included a total of 25 participants with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. Some had considerable previous experience with leading hiking, biking, and backpacking trips for other groups or AMC Chapters, while other participants were quite new to AMC and to outdoor leadership. All expressed an interest in learning more about how to safely enjoy experiences in the outdoors and share those adventures with others.

Their comments at the conclusion of the course indicated that they felt the course had, indeed, been a worthwhile one:

“The entire training was very well done. Presenters were very knowledgeable, professional, and effective. I was impressed!”

“Everything was new and eye opening. Learned a lot, need to learn more.”

“The roleplays were amazing for learning and getting to know other participants better.”

“Knowledgeable speakers, great interactions with attendees”

“I thought the two days were just perfect, not too much… not too little.”

“I appreciated hearing from a wide variety of experienced people.”

“Loved all the interactive and / or outside time. Entire program was valuable & useful.”

Congratulations to the OLT Class of 2023 graduates: Holly Adams, George Cagle, Eric Carter, Robert Coia, Paul Gehris, Kathy Gill, Paula Goulden Naitove, Pat Grannan, Wendell Gulick, Kate Hausman, Steve Jarreau, Cheryl Jones, David Kenosian,

Welles Lobb, Jim Mann, Ryan McLaughlin, Christian Morrow, Timothy Olah, David Rabold, Sarah Sato, Brian Sisko, Jerzy Sliwinski, Hannah Tyburski, Doug Wilson, and Piljo Yae.

And many thanks to the facilitators for this year’s course: Anne Lise Almira, Stan DeRiel, Barbara Fritzinger, Jeff Fritzinger, Karla Geissler, Cait Handlin, Dave Hoke, Pete Jarrett, Denis McCartan, Margaret McDonald, Joe Nanfara, Adrian Noble,

Eric Pavlak, Ron Phelps, Larry Priori, John Rowen, Annette Sheldon, Lennie Steinmetz, Midori Wakabayashi, and Susan Weida.

Our volunteer leaders are the heart of the DV Chapter, and we are fortunate indeed to have such a great group of experienced and incoming leaders in our ranks!