Tyler Klinchuch and Kathy Krogh never thought that coming to Boise State would lead them to some of their greatest adventures and best memories. Their experiences in the Outdoor Program have shaped them into who they are today. In nature, they have gone through journeys of self-discovery, built leadership skills, and, best of all, had a lot of fun.
Journey to Leadership
Kathy’s interest in the Outdoor Program started at orientation. She saw the massive climbing wall in the Rec Center, and she knew she had to test it out. Once she officially became a student, she continued to come back to the Rec Center to climb. The climbing community at the Rec Center encouraged her to apply as a trip leader. Her initial response was “All of these trips you want me to lead, I don’t know how to lead, I don’t know how to raft, I don’t know how to backpack.” She initially doubted herself and didn’t know if she would be able to handle the role..
With training, encouragement, and support from other Outdoor Program team members, she started to see the possibilities. As Kathy thinks about training to guide on the river, the hard work was immediately rewarding: “ I was just so happy to be learning how to raft, learning to love the river, and just getting to know these people. I was just so focused on those things that I didn’t even care that it was 32 degrees and snowing on us while we’re rafting and jumping in the water.” It was something so different from what she was used to, but she quickly fell in love with it.
As for Tyler, he was very into the outdoors and had seen the Outdoor Program tabling in the Quad. He says, “I signed up for the Grand Canyon trip, and I just went on it as a participant. Then I saw that they were hiring, and I was like, Oh, it could be a really cool opportunity to get involved and be the one leading those trips and doing all the things, and get paid to do what I love.”
Before starting as a trip leader, he felt timid and wasn’t confident in his leadership skills. “As you lead more trips and become more comfortable being that voice, it just helps you gain a lot of confidence in what you’re doing.”, Tyler explains. Directing these programs gives Tyler a lot of responsibility and pressure. But with those feelings also comes confidence and trust in his training as a guide. Fast forward to a year later, on the next Grand Canyon trip, he was the one leading it.
Skills That Go The Distance
As outdoor trip leaders, Kathy and Tyler have been trained extensively in safety and risk management. Tyler describes risk management as one of the most important responsibilities on a trip. “The Grand Canyon trip, for example, you’re at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, so you really want to do everything you can to alleviate risk, because it’s the nature of what you’re doing, it’s pretty high risk. But, at the end of the day, when you’re sitting at the bottom of the Colorado River looking up, it’s worth it.”
They are taught how to go through different scenarios that they come across and learn how to prevent any outcome that could be risky. Kathy also explains how making attendees and herself feel like they are safe on the trip helps break down barriers. “If we’re not being safe, if people aren’t feeling safe, they’re not gonna feel comfortable to open up.” Letting people feel like they are safe also helps create a safe space where people are able to open up and fully embrace the experience. As trip leaders, they are responsible for helping create a safe environment for the trip and being intentional in how they lead.
Finding Community and Confidence Outside
For Kathy, the community has been one of her favorite parts of the outdoor program. Being able to trust herself and her co-workers is so important when leading trips. Kathy experienced a setback on one of her trips when she dislocated her shoulder. “I remember just thinking it could have been so much worse, and I was grateful it was just a dislocated shoulder,” she recalls. Before the injury, she hadn’t worried much about getting hurt, but after she found herself more cautious. “I was so wound tight that I was having a hard time enjoying the activities because I was so nervous about people getting hurt,” she admits. It took about six months to start to transition out of this mindset. Then, on a quiet day in the stunning mountains, she realized that she would have to accept that bad things can always happen, but she loves what she does and the community she’s built, and that’s what makes it worth it.
For Tyler, community and outdoor trips are an escape, a safe space where he can slow down and think through things. Being out in nature, he says, “You enter a clearer state of mind. You’re away from day-to-day chatter.” A weekend away can help him decide on a small or big life decision, and it helps him realize where his head is at.
Learn more about how you can find community on an outdoor trip, rent gear, or even design a custom program. Trip leader applications open over the summer.