Landmark Outdoor Educator Semester

The Landmark Outdoor Educator Semester is a combined course experience taught May-June each year for rising professionals in the outdoor education and recreation fields. This combination of nationally recognized certification trainings offers students an opportunity to make themselves marketable in the outdoor community, building a resume founded in national standards. Training does not substitute for experience, however training helps folks gain the work that furthers their outdoor professional career. The LOES is available for up to 12 hours of college credit ($55/credit hour) through Western Carolina University.

Course Outline

NOLS Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT plus WUMP): 238 contact hours
American Safety & Health Institute Basic Life Support: 8 contact hours
Leave No Trace Master Educator: 40 contact hours
American Canoe Association L4: Swiftwater Rescue: 16 contact hours
Starfish Aquatics Institute Wilderness Lifeguard: 16 contact hours
American Canoe Association L2: Canoe Instructor: 24 contact hours
Fox Mountain Guides’ Introduction to Single-Pitch Climbing: 16 hours
Orientation, Educator Workshop, and Graduation Seminars: 16 hours

Total hours: 374

Packing List

LOES Gear List

6 weeks / 366 hours

Proof of age 18 years or older
Education: HS Diploma or equivalent
Vaccination record: Polio ,MMR, DT/DPT, Hep B (only 1st shot required) ,TB/PPD w/in 6 months of course start
No felony convictions and a clean driving record
Background check completed – receipt emailed to Landmark Learning
Minimum of 3 weeks backcountry living experience
Able to swim 100 meters
Able to hike and carry personal equipment 2 miles
Previous tandem canoe experience
Previous teaching experience preferred
Letter of recommendation from current Academic Advisor or Department Head

Rising professionals in the outdoor recreation industry, college students in their gap year, individuals at a career-choice crossroad, military personnel transitioning to civilian working life and desiring a recreation career pursuit.

Certifications, certificates of completion, and testing eligibility shall be awarded for each Semester segment, see each course overview page for specific details.

Transcripts can be sent to your school for consideration of acceptance by your Registrar.

The Landmark Outdoor Educator Semester is eligible for your choice of up to 12 hours of college credit from Western Carolina University, right here in Cullowhee, NC. A SACS-accredited university, WCU will be able to offer transfer of your credits to your current or future school.

Students should expect to apply at WCU, pay a $65 one-time application fee, and enroll for the credits at least four (4) days prior to the course start date. The course is offered $55 per credit hour.
Go to: WCU Educational Outreach to apply and pay online.
Landmark Learning will provide final grades to WCU within 5 days of the Semester completion, and transfer will be available to students after that according to WCU’s calendar schedule.
To initiate your enrollment, alert the LL office when you register regarding your intention to gain college credit for the experience.

Course Expectations

Tuition includes:

All academic expenses for: 6 weeks/374 hours
Eligibility for college credit up to 15 hours with Western Carolina University – or refer to your department head or registrar
7 Nationally recognized certifications of which 3 are Instructor level certifications
Exit Interviews

General

The semester experience is a combination of our multi-certification training opportunities, open to the cohort and supplemented with public enrollment. The cohort students will be mixing with other student populations in most courses, creating a dynamic learning environment. The intense semester will culminate in an exit interview with next steps.

Lodging

Students may stay at LL for an additional $500 fee.

Meals

Students are responsible for their own meals with exception of the backcountry portion of the Leave No Trace Master Educator course.

Additional Details

The semester is a combination of our elite training programs. Appropriate and required forms and informational pieces are listed below – be sure to bookmark the registration page to review gear lists and prerequisite information.

* indicates forms or information that must be returned prior to the start of the semester.

Directions to Landmark
LL Release form (one for entire semester)*
2 ACA Releases (1xSWR, 1xCanoe Instructor)*
SWR Expectations and Gear List
Canoe Instructor Expectations and Gear List
EMT Expectations and Gear List
NOLS WUMP Expectations and Gear List
NOLS Release*
SAI WLG Expectations and Gear List
LNT ME Expectations and Gear List
LNT Release*
Childhood vaccination record (see EMT expectations)*
HS Diploma/GED/equivalent (see EMT expectations)*
Proof of age*
Background Check
10-panel Drug Screen (urine)
Clinical Orientation

Additional Expenses – not covered by course fees paid to Landmark:

ACA Membership – all Instructors and instructor candidates for American Canoe Association Instructor level courses must be a member in good standing. ACA membership fee is $45 at the time of this posting.
ACA SEIC Dues – Upon successful completion and award of Instructor certification, all instructors must pay dues of $25 to ACA. Upon membership renewal, the SEIC fees will be included.
EMT – any fees related to accessing HS diploma, transcripts showing HS graduation date, GED documents, etc.
EMT – clinical opportunities are required, and students must submit a background check via the directions given within their Active account.
EMT – clinical opportunities are required, and students much provide a 10-panel drug screen. Request-a-Test is recommended.
Clinical Kit – Optional. $30 Includes stethoscope, BP cuff, and penlight.