1. How do I join the Outdoor Program?

Read over this FAQ sheet and Volunteer application form. If becoming a leader in the Outdoor Program is something of interest, you will need to complete and turn in an application on time and participate in an interview process.

  1. Who can be a volunteer?

You need to be a current PSU student with at least three terms remaining. You also need a 2.0 cumulative PSU GPA and are taking at least 5 credits as a graduate student or 6 credits as an undergraduate student.

  1. Why should I apply to be a volunteer?

Becoming a volunteer with the Outdoor Program is the primary way that students can join the program. Once you are part of the ODP, you can plan and lead trips. Being a volunteer is a great way to gain leadership experience, learn or advance outdoor technical skills and tap into your teaching potential. You will also learn ODP policies and procedures and meet some awesome people that love the outdoors.

  1. How do the volunteers fit in the ODP leadership structure?

All of the ODP trips have a three person leadership team. There is the Trip Leader (TL), the Assistant Trip Leader (ATL), and the Volunteer Trip Leader (VTL). These three people are in charge of the logistics, planning, and implementation of the trips. In order to become a VTL, you must complete the Volunteer application and orientation trip. After successful completion of the Volunteer Orientation tripyou are eligible to be a part of the ODP leadership team as a VTL and eventually an ATL and a TL.

  1. What kind of time commitment is expected of Volunteers?

We ask that all volunteers commit to being a part of the ODP for a full academic year or more. Volunteers will be expected to be available for an interview process and the Volunteer Orientation trip. After successful completion of these requirements Volunteers become VTLs. As a member of the program you will attend staff trainings & meetings and continue to gain experience within the program. The Outdoor Program has many different opportunities to increaseoutdoor and leadership skills; the more you put in, the more you will get of it.

  1. Can I lead trips and get paid?

That is our hope for you! However, you will start off as aVolunteer Trip Leader (which is not paid) and that will give you great experience to progress towards becoming an Assistant Trip Leader and Trip Leader. Assistant Trip Leaders and Trip Leaders do get paid for leading trips.

  1. Do I need any previous experience?

You don’t need any previous outdoor leadership experience. You MUST have a passion for the outdoors, a desire to become a more effective leader, and a willingness to learn. As a Volunteer Trip Leader, we will help hone your leadership, teaching and technical skills in a variety of outdoor activities. The first step in gaining this experience is to go on the Volunteer Orientation trip which will cover some basic outdoor living skills and get you familiar with the Outdoor Program.

  1. What if I already have a ton of outdoor experience/certifications/etc? Do I still need to volunteer?

Not necessarily…If you already have a lot of recreationwork experience (such as 1-2 years of professional/paid guiding experience) than we encourage you to come speak with the Volunteer Coordinator. You may be eligible for the “fast track” program allowing you to jump straight to becoming an AssistantTrip Leader and bypassing the Volunteer Trip Leader phase.

  1. Do I need to be a volunteer to work in the equipment center or at the climbing wall?

No. You can apply to work at the equipment center or the climbing wall separately from the volunteer program. Some staff members at the equipment center and climbing wall are also volunteers or trip leaders, but not everyone. To see any current job openings please visit and click on the "Employment Opportunities" page under the "About Us" tab for more information.

  1. If I have other questions! Who can I talk to?

We’d be happy to help! Stop by the ODP office located on the first floor of the ASRC building (505 SW Harrison) or please contact:

Reed Mathieson, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator,r 503-725-2956,

Ann Marie Hingley, Program Coordinator, at or 503-725-8768