Role of the Instructor

The Instructor is a key in the success of the program. The crew’s daily program is designed by a Program Supervisor in consultation with a team composed of: Instructors, a Near North Board of Education teacher, and a masters level therapist supervision. The Instructors are with the students twenty-four hours per day, through disappointments and triumphs, sharing the same weather, food and activities. The instructor must ensure the health and safety of the students, be a catalyst for the teachable moments for individual students and the group, maintain safety and security, and be a role model. One of the extremely important aspects of being an Instructor delivering the program is building of positive constructive relationships with the students. This positive relationship between instructor and student builds rapport, trust and openness - essential ingredients to engaging the student in the hard work of transforming cognitive errors and negative attitudes and behaviour into pro-social values and conduct.

In the early stages of the program, staff are quite directive as they teach basic skills and expectations. As the students progress, they are given greater autonomy to practice these skills and are encouraged to take increasing initiative and leadership in the functioning of the group. By encouraging autonomy, by treating students with respect while maintaining discipline and accountability, and by listening to them, the instructors become powerful models of the qualities of effective adulthood.

In the role of therapeutic guides, instructors act as translators between the student and the teachable moments of the group and its individual members. They have a crucial responsibility for helping the student see the daily-life implications of their wilderness expedition, challenge activity, and group living experiences which abound with symbols and metaphors for fundamental truths about life and community.

The rhythm, intensity and depth of the experience are to a major degree engineered by the instructors. Self-discovery and personal growth require the direction of a highly skilled and intuitive instructor who knows when the group is ready for greater challenges. It will be obvious from all that has been said here about instructors, that they must be exceptional people who possess the maturity and clinical skills to work with youth at risk, while also possessing the technical skills to safely facilitate wilderness expeditions and adventure activities.