ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the training and certification of outdoor leaders primarily in the USA by reviewing the history of certification, explicating the pros and cons that have been argued, and suggesting ways to move beyond traditional ideas of certification to focus on best practices. Outdoor leaders receive their training through personal experiences, academic programmes, apprenticeships, internships, in-house training programmes or specialised training programmes. Paul Petzoldt founded the National Outdoor Leadership School to train leaders capable of conducting wilderness programmes in a safe and rewarding manner. Proliferations of certification programmes have been created in skill areas to document the training of outdoor leaders in the absence of definitive industry standards. Three primary types of certification are used in adventure programmes. They are in-house certifications, activity-specific certifications, and association supported certifications. Supporters have noted certification can provide a recognised set of skills that can be aligned with an organisation's mission, enhance professional development and competence, and in some cases, reduce staff turnover.
