Dates: Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13
Cost: $700
Level: All levels
This workshop is appropriate for anyone that is interested in developing new or enhancing their existing trail crew leadership skills.
Maximum Size: 25 students

Classroom Site: Lussier Family Heritage Center

A two-day Trail Crew Leader Workshop that provides participants with the skills and knowledge to lead effective, safe, and productive trail work teams. The workshop covers “soft skills” topics like communication techniques, risk management strategies, group dynamics, conflict resolution, leadership styles, and teaching methods. Each day will include both an interactive lecture element of the soft skills and an experiential field component where students will practice leadership scenarios and teaching strategies. This comprehensive approach equips attendees to manage crews, resolve conflicts, and foster teamwork.

Learning Objectives

1. Master Effective Communication and Leadership Techniques: Students will learn to communicate clearly with diverse trail crews, delegate tasks effectively, and adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of different team members and project goals.

2. Understand Risk Management and Safety Protocols: Participants will develop skills to assess potential hazards, implement safety measures, and respond to emergencies, ensuring the well-being of their team during trail maintenance and construction projects.

3. Build Skills in Conflict Resolution and Group Dynamics: Students will gain strategies to manage group dynamics, resolve conflicts constructively, and foster collaboration and morale among crew members in challenging or high-stress situations.

4. Develop Teaching Strategies for Training Crews in the Field: Participants will learn methods for effectively teaching trail maintenance and construction techniques, ensuring that crew members work efficiently and understand sustainable trail practices. `

Schedule

Day 1
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Introductions
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Getting Started, Ice Breakers, Crew Leader Role
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Learning Styles/Teaching Strategies
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Leadership Characteristics
10:00a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break/ Mobilize to Trail Maintenance Site
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Trail Maintenance Overview (Walk and Talk)
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tools and Safety Talk
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Crew Leader Trail Maintenance Practice
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mobilize to Classroom/ Q&A

Day 2
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Review Day 1 / Day 2 Introduction
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Communication
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Conflict And Dispute Resolution
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Group Dynamics
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Break / Mobilize to Construction Site
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Trail Construction Overview (Walk and Talk)
12:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch 1
2:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Risk Management
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Crew Leader Trail Construction Practice
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mobilize to Classroom/ Q&A

Instructor

Kim Frederick, Chinook Associates

Kim Frederick retired in 2018 from Jefferson County Open Space in the foothills west of Denver after 40 years as the Trails Supervisor. In this position he was responsible for the development and management of over 250 miles of trails that receives over 5 million visitors per year. In the 1990’s he started a consulting service called Chinook Associates. In this capacity he has supported agencies and organizations all over the world in the management of parks and protected areas, traveling extensively throughout the United States and internationally to Italy, Lebanon, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Mongolia. Chinook Associates services include trail: planning, design, construction, management, program development and technical skills training. Since 2018, he has been an adjunct professor at Red Rocks Community College in the Park Ranger Technology Program.