Elizabeth Hawkes, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Hawkes of Woodside Road, was recently selected to be one of 29 leaders for the wilderness program at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. Hawkes is a junior majoring in psychology and education.
Hawkes qualified to be a leader by earning credentials as a senior instructor, a Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) wilderness first responder, and an American Canoe Association coastal trip leader.
According to a press release from the school, wilderness program leaders represent the core of the program’s instructional staff along with professional guides. They are responsible for teaching or leading other students on outings from day hikes to whitewater kayaking and ice climbing. Student leaders are chosen for maturity, experience, leadership potential, and dedication to outdoor pursuits. They must pass a rigorous basic training program including more than 160 hours of classroom and field practical experiences.
Wilderness Leaders are trained and assessed to industry standards in their chosen discipline through organizations such as SOLO, the American Canoe Association, the British Canoe Union North American, the American Mountain Guide Association, Leave No Trace, and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
