Outdoor Leadership Program

Description

The Outdoor Leadership Program is a community‑led learning initiative designed by a nonprofit foundation. It will pilot a two‑day guided hiking and cultural learning experience for up to fifteen students in a protected mountain area. The program extends the traditional Summer School model by immersing participants in outdoor environments, regional heritage, and rural community life. It will bring together young adults from different backgrounds to encourage shared learning and mutual understanding.

During the two‑day experience, participants will meet local hiking guides, hut operators, and community members, strengthening connections and supporting local economic actors. Activities will include a safety briefing, an introduction to responsible travel practices, a guided ascent of one of the area’s peaks, an overnight stay at a mountain hut, and group discussions on responsible tourism and land stewardship. The program is designed to strengthen leadership, teamwork, and awareness of environmental issues while creating meaningful links between the university and local partners.

The 2026 pilot aims to establish a low-cost model that can be replicated in future years as part of the Summer School. By strengthening student engagement beyond the classroom and fostering collaboration among participants and community members, the initiative seeks to demonstrate the long‑term value of outdoor education as an accessible and sustainable learning approach.