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Why Professional Outdoor Leadership MattersThe Wilderness Education Association (WEA) is a member-based and volunteer-driven association committed to the development of professional outdoor leaders and educators. Since its inception, hundreds of students, professionals, and academic programs have been impacted by the WEA model and vision for the professionalization of outdoor leadership. Paul Petzoldt, Dr. Frank Lupton, Chuck Gregory, and Bob Christie founded the WEA in 1977 following a collaborative, experimental wilderness-based course with Lupton’s Western Illinois University students in the Wind River Range and Targhee National Forest of Wyoming. This seminal experience would become the inspiration and model for the educational methodology used by future WEA instructors and member organizations. Today, the WEA continues to serve the outdoor education and leadership industry through the development of professional standards, individual credentialing, and program accreditation. |
Raising the Professional Bar: Become a Credentialed Outdoor LeaderOur courses train outdoor leaders on how to uphold professional standards in the outdoor industry. |
| Advancing Professionalism of Outdoor Leaders: Our 2022 ConferenceHow has wilderness education changed from its historic roots? What will it look like in the future? Wilderness education and outdoor leadership course delivery practices must keep pace with a changing society. We will explore how at our 2022 conference. |
-Jamie Lewis Hedges- |
- Benjamin L. Rush, Ph.D - |  "Through a network of scholars and practitioners, the WEA provides both standards against which we can review our practices and a gateway certificate program for entry-level through advanced outdoor leaders." - Andrew Bobilya, Ph.D. - |
Get In TouchOur organization's strength is our professional network of colleagues in the outdoor industry. Let's connect. |
| Wilderness Education Association, Inc. © 2021 Wilderness Education Association, Inc. |
