About Techniques of Instructing, Facilitating, Guiding, and Coaching
In the Techniques of Instructing, Facilitating, Guiding, and Coaching course, you’ll learn how to lead, teach, and inspire in outdoor and wilderness settings. This isn’t just theory, you’ll actively practice creating lesson plans, guiding groups, facilitating learning, and coaching individuals. Through a combination of classroom exercises and hands-on field experiences, you’ll explore different learning styles, leadership approaches, and teaching strategies, giving you the tools to help others grow while keeping safety and risk management at the forefront. By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence and skills to lead outdoor experiences that are engaging, effective, and transformative.
Students start by learning the foundational principles of recreation land management and the philosophies that guide public land use. From there, the course delves into the roles of different agencies, the laws and policies that influence recreation, and the challenges of balancing visitor access with resource protection. Using the Lake Tahoe Basin as a living classroom, students gain hands-on insight into the complex decisions, collaborations, and stewardship efforts that shape how one of the country’s most visited mountain regions is managed.
We meet students where they are.
Course Format & Time Commitment
This course blends classroom learning with real-world exploration of recreation land management. Students dive into the agencies, policies, and decisions that shape the Lake Tahoe Basin, analyzing current issues, engaging in discussions, and conducting research to understand how recreation and resource protection intersect in a highly visited mountain region.
Course length:​​ Quarter​
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What to Expect
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Analyze and apply different learning, personality, and leadership styles
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Design and implement lesson and activity plans using Bloom’s taxonomy
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Practice instructing, facilitating, guiding, and coaching in real outdoor scenarios
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Plan and sequence activities from simple to complex, concrete to abstract
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Debrief and evaluate sessions to reinforce learning and skills
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Daily schedules, meeting locations, total instructional hours, and trip-specific details are provided with each course offering.
These courses are built around real-world experience, where learning happens through doing. Instead of just discussing skills, you’ll be actively practicing and applying them in the field.
You’ll build practical backcountry skills including:
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Recognizing and adapting to multiple learning styles and intelligences
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Planning and delivering structured lessons and activities for diverse participants
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Facilitating personal and interpersonal development in outdoor settings
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Leading and coaching individuals and groups safely and effectively
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Evaluating and assessing participant growth and skill development
What You’ll Learn
Course Fees & What You'll Get
Approximate Costs:
CA Residents = $46.50

Non-CA Residents = $460.50


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Additional Course Fees: TBA
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When you enroll in Techniques of Instructing, Facilitating, Guiding, and Coaching course, you’re getting more than instruction time.
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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
Transportation & Logistics
When course activities take place off campus, WEOL provides transportation to field locations when possible. Our vehicles allow us to safely transport students while minimizing congestion and environmental impact at recreation sites.
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This helps students focus on learning and observing recreation management in real-world settings while WEOL handles the logistics responsibly. Field visits are designed to connect classroom concepts with the landscapes and recreation systems of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Nature
Lovers
Who it’s for
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Outdoor Educators
Mountain Climbers
Weekend Adventurers
You & Your Backcountry Partner
Meet Your Instructor
Name & preferred pronouns: Sarah (she/her)
Favorite outdoor activities: So hard to choose just one, but I do really love trail running these days.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: I made the switch to a quality pair of sunglasses with transition lenses a couple years ago (Julbo Fury), and absolutely love them for everything!
Favorite outdoor meal: Dutch oven peach cobbler.
Advisory​
WLD 103 or equivalent.
Prerequisites
& Advisories
FAQ
1. Do I need prior teaching or leadership experience?
No. This course is designed to build those skills from the ground up, whether you’re new to instructing or looking to refine your approach.
2. What kinds of skills will I learn?
You’ll learn how to teach outdoor skills, facilitate group experiences, guide participants safely, and coach individuals through skill development and personal growth.
3. Will I get to practice teaching others?
Yes. A major part of the course involves planning and delivering lessons, activities, and feedback to peers.
4. What is the difference between instructing, facilitating, guiding, and coaching?
Instructing focuses on teaching skills, facilitating focuses on group process and experience, guiding emphasizes safety and leadership in the field, and coaching supports individual growth and performance.
5. How does this course help with outdoor careers?
These skills are essential for roles in guiding, outdoor education, coaching, and leadership. The course focuses on real-world application and professional development.
Lead with a Purpose
Ready to step into a leadership role and guide others with confidence? Join our Techniques of Instructing, Facilitating, Guiding, & Coaching course to develop the skills to teach, lead, and inspire in outdoor settings.
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Start building the tools to lead others, on the trail, on the water, and beyond.