Gold Project

For my Gold Project, I will complete a wilderness leadership course and multiply its impact: prepare physically and mentally through training hikes, gear preparation, and completing Wilderness First Aid certification, participate fully in my 21-day wilderness expedition by taking on leadership roles, mastering technical skills, and pushing beyond my comfort zone, then apply my learning by co-leading 3 day hikes for beginning hikers in my community, creating a ‘Getting Started in Backcountry’ guide for our school’s outdoor club, and mentoring students preparing for their own wilderness programs.

Wilderness program instructor, outdoor education teacher, or expedition supervisor

Twenty-one days in the backcountry stripped away everything familiar and showed me who I am when there’s nowhere to hide. On Day 8, I wanted to quit. My feet were blistered, I was exhausted, and I couldn’t see the point. My instructor asked me what I’d tell a friend in the same situation. That question changed everything. I learned that leadership starts with self-leadership: managing my own mindset, energy, and attitude. When I took my turn as expedition leader, I discovered that the best leaders ask good questions rather than give all the answers. Coming home was almost harder than leaving – I had to figure out how to carry these lessons into regular life. Leading community hikes became my way of sharing what I’d learned and staying connected to the wilderness mindset. Watching nervous beginners gain confidence on trail reminds me of my own transformation.