About Field Experience During Summer
Exploring the Sierra Nevada in the summer is challenging, rewarding, and full of adventure. In this course, you’ll spend time outdoors practicing hands-on skills across multiple activities, from backpacking and climbing to whitewater rafting and paddleboarding.
This Field Experience is part of the WEOL program and is designed for anyone who wants to get outside, build practical wilderness skills, and develop leadership in real backcountry settings. Whether it’s your first multi-day trip or you’re looking to expand your outdoor expertise, this course will give you the experience and confidence to thrive in the field.
Students start with foundational skills in leadership, communication, and backcountry travel, then progressively build competency across multiple outdoor activities. Each component, from backpacking and survival to climbing, paddling, and rafting, introduces new challenges while reinforcing core wilderness skills. By the end of the course, students have a well-rounded understanding of the technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills needed for extended field experiences in the Sierra Nevada.
We meet students where they are. Each level builds on the last.
Course Format & Time Commitment
The Field Experience: Summer course combines classroom and field-based instruction with hands-on skill development across multiple outdoor activities. Students build practical systems for wilderness travel, leadership, and teamwork through guided experiences, reflection, and progressively challenging backcountry and water-based environments.
Course length: 12 days
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Backpacking Section: 5 days
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Rock Climbing Section: 3 days
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Whitewater Section: 3 days
* Each course includes a required one-hour Zoom session.
What to Expect
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A mix of classroom preparation and hands-on field activities
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Progressive skill development across backpacking, climbing, rafting, paddling, and survival scenarios
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Practice with leadership, communication, and group dynamics in real outdoor settings
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Opportunities to plan and execute multi-day trips while applying Leave No Trace principles
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Full participation in all scheduled field days, including the culminating 8-day summer expedition
Daily schedules, meeting locations, total instructional hours, and trip-specific details are provided with each course offering.
These courses are hands-on and field-based. You won’t just talk about skills, you’ll practice them.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll build practical backcountry skills including:
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Planning safe and efficient backpacking, climbing, and paddling routes
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Navigating confidently with map and compass in backcountry and water settings
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Organizing and leading multi-day trips and group activities
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Packing and managing gear efficiently for different environments
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Cooking and managing food systems in the field
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Finding, treating, and managing water sources
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Applying Leave No Trace principles across diverse outdoor settings
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Selecting safe and sustainable campsites
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Assessing weather, terrain, and changing conditions
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Communicating effectively and leading within a team
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Making sound decisions in dynamic and multi-activity outdoor environments
Course Fees & What You'll Get
Approximate Costs:
CA Residents = $224.75
Non-CA Residents = $2,225.75
Additional Course Fees: TBA
When you enroll in our field experience: summer course, you’re getting more than instruction time.
Materials You'll Receive:
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Rite in the Rain notebook with Mini pencil
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WEOL branded chapstick
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WEOL branded mini sunscreen
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Mini hand sanitizer
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Food for overnight sections
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WAG Bags
Transportation & Logistics
When the course leaves campus for field activities, WEOL provides transportation to trailheads and activity sites whenever possible. Our vehicles safely shuttle students and gear, minimizing impact on parking areas and recreation sites.
This allows you to focus on learning, practicing skills, and enjoying the outdoors while we handle logistics responsibly. Whether it’s a day activity or the culminating 8-day summer expedition, transportation is included to make your experience smooth, safe, and environmentally conscious.
Nature
Lovers
Who it’s for
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Outdoor Educators
Mountain Climbers
Weekend Adventurers
You & Your Backcountry Partner
Meet Your Instructor
Name & preferred pronouns: Nate Smith (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Most mountain sports - climbing (rock, alpine, ice, mountaineering), trail running, mountain biking, skiing, ski touring.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Multi-tool......the most consistently used piece of my kit which goes on most outdoor experiences and every expedition! Two most used pieces of my multi-tool at the pliers and scissors.
Favorite outdoor meal: Cheesy pasta with vegetables and protein. My go to is a mac-n-cheese with broccoli and chicken
Name & preferred pronouns: Kendall Madsen (she/her)
Favorite outdoor activities: I don't think I have a favorite; I love them all. Backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, wake surfing.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: My pillow
Favorite outdoor meal: As of last year, it's backcountry cake that a fellow instructor Freeman made.
Advisory
This is a physically demanding field course. Students should be prepared to hike at least 5-8 miles a day over varying terrain with at least a 30-pound pack. Students may use their personal equipment if it meets industry standard and is in good working condition, otherwise program equipment will be provided.
Prerequisites
& Advisories
FAQ
1. Do I need prior outdoor experience to take this course?
No prior experience is required. The course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of outdoor activities and leadership skills.
2. What activities are included in the summer field experience?
Students gain experience in backpacking, wilderness survival, rock climbing, mountaineering, sea kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and whitewater rafting.
3. How long is the field experience component?
The course culminates in an 8-day multi-activity expedition that allows students to apply the skills they’ve learned throughout the course.
4. What should I bring for the field portion?
Students should bring appropriate outdoor clothing, personal gear, and any required safety equipment. Specific packing lists will be provided before field activities.
5. How does this course help with leadership and professional development?
Students practice leadership, communication, decision-making, and teamwork in real-world settings, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for further courses or careers in outdoor leadership.
Get Ready for Adventure!
Dive into the ultimate summer outdoor experience. Build leadership, wilderness skills, and confidence across multiple activities, enroll in Field Experience: Summer today and take your first step into the backcountry with WEOL.