Risk Management, Judgement, and Decision-Making for Outdoor Leaders
Introduction
Hello and welcome!
Risk Management, Judgement, and Decision-Making are critical competencies in outdoor leadership. This training module is specifically crafted with the outdoor leader in mind, focusing on the principles and practices necessary to effectively manage risk, make informed decisions, and apply sound judgment in the field. These principles and practices can be integrated into all aspects of outdoor program design, planning, and execution, as well as personal outdoor pursuits.
The module is organized around four main themes:
- Risk Management – understanding the nature and value of risk; defining the scope of practice, liability, and legal considerations for outdoor practitioners; cultivating ‘risk self-awareness’; and introducing the Outdoor Leader Centered Risk Management Framework as a valuable tool.
- Decision Making – exploring tools, principles, and practices for making sound decisions in the field.
- Developing Judgment – examining key factors that support the development and application of sound judgment, including common pitfalls, supportive frameworks, and the power of reflection and self-awareness in risk settings.
- Culture and Communication – delving into how creating a ‘culture of dissent’ and employing effective communication strategies can enhance risk awareness and mitigation in the field.
Outward Bound Canada
Outward Bound Canada (OBC) is a registered charity that builds resilience and empowers youth through experiential adventures in nature. Since 1969, more than 175,000 participants have experienced our unique high-impact programs for individuals and school & groups, many of which are youth underserved with outdoor education who need our scholarships and bursaries.
Using the outdoors as our dynamic classroom, we help thousands of young people annually to develop their physical, social, and emotional skills and environmental leadership.
The Training Academy
Launched in 2022 as an initiative of Outward Bound Canada, the Training Academy was created to address the representation gap within the outdoor sector while also providing technical skill development and growing social and emotional competencies so that Canada’s next generation of Outdoor Leaders can respond to the evolving needs of Canada’s diverse population.
Our program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program as an investment in the outdoor sector’s economic recovery.
