[Closed] Becoming a Trip Leader with the Boston Paddlers Committee

We are always on the lookout for qualified trip leaders to lead paddling activities for the AMC Boston Chapter Paddling Committee (BCPC).

Trip leaders are responsible for trip planning, registering and qualifying guests, and safely leading the trip from put-in to take-out.

The Committee runs trips in 4 main categories:

• Flat water paddling (ponds, lakes, and slow moving rivers)
• White water paddling (Class 1-3 technical white water)
• Sea Kayaking (Coastal and Open Water sea kayaking)
• Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)

Anyone with appropriate skills and a willingness to lead groups for the AMC is eligible to be considered as a paddling trip leader. The process to become a trip leader is outlined below.

Becoming a Trip Leader

• Join or renew your membership with the AMC. Trip leaders must be AMC members!
• Engage with the Paddling Committee to learn more about us and how we operate ...
  • Sign up for our newsletter
  • Attend a virtual committee meeting
  • Participate in paddling trips and get to know the leaders on the water.
  • Discuss trip leadership with current BCPC leaders.
• Submit a request to the Paddling Chair to be considered as a Leader-in-Training (LiT)
  • Include a brief bio and resume of your paddling background
• Complete an Outdoor Leadership Training program
  • AMC's Outdoor Leadership Fundamentals (OLF) course
  • AMC Boston Chapter Leadership Workshop
  • Trip Leader training through the BCPC
  • Other outdoor leader training from a recognized source (NOLS, ACA, BCU, etc)
• Consider First Aid Training
  • The AMC strongly encourages their leaders to have current First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Training
• Register on the BCPC website (amcbostonpaddlers.org) and request Trip Leader membership
  • This allows you access to leader-specific material on the website
• Co-Lead at least three (3) AMC trips with at least two (2) different paddling leaders
  • Find a mentor to help guide you through the process of becoming a BCPC leader
  • Under the guidance of a current leader / mentor you should
    • Learn to plan and post trips on the AMC's Outdoor Connector (OC)
    • Screen participants for suitability to the trip requirements
    • Assess weather and other safety considerations, make go/no-go decisions, and communicate with trip participants before the trip
    • Manage group briefings, launchings, landings, group cohesion, and the roles of your co-leaders on your trips
    • Gather post-trip data and direct participants to the BCPC participant survey form.
  • Demonstrate specific paddling skills related to the category of paddling you wish to lead. These might include ...
    • Safety and rescue skills
    • Paddle using a variety of strokes and techniques
    • Paddle confidently in different conditions (waves, wind, current, etc)
    • Reading the water and assessing conditions
  • By the end of your training you should be able to successfully plan and execute a trip with the BCPC with only observation by your leader or mentor.
• At the completion of your training, with the recommendation of your mentor, apply for leadership status to the BCPC chair or Training Coordinator. Your application should include:
  • List of your training (co-lead) trips including date, location, and leader/mentor
  • Paddling background and prior experience
  • Leadership training dates and certification received
  • Other paddling training (ACA, BC, Paddle Canada, etc)
  • The type of paddling and level of paddling trips you are interested in leading.
• Your application will be reviewed by the senior leaders in the BCPC
  • If the senior leaders are satisfied with your leadership and paddling skills, you will be approved as a BCPC Trip Leader ... Congratulations!
  • If the senior leaders feel you are not yet ready for leadership with the BCPC, you will be "continued" with an action plan to build your skills and capabilities as a leader.

If you're ready to get started, reach out and let's put you on the path to BCPC leadership!