7/16/2025
Interested in Leadership at AORE?
Join us for a Nominating Committee Info Session on Wednesday, July 16 at 12 PM EST to learn more about what the committee does, how it supports AORE’s mission, and how you can get involved. We’ll cover the committee’s role in shaping future leadership, what to expect as a member, and how to apply. Whether you're curious or ready to step up, this session is a great first step!
Location: ONLINE
8/21/2025
Kick off your career in outdoor recreation and education with insight into two of the most accessible and impactful entry points: seasonal roles and graduate positions. This session will explore the pros and cons of seasonal jobs, strategies for finding work across different times of the year, and how to leverage these experiences for long-term growth. You’ll also learn about graduate-level roles — what they entail, where to find them, and how they can set you up for success in this field. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, this session will help you chart a clear path forward.
About the Presenters
Audrey Krimm
Originally from Maryland, Audrey completed her M.S. in Leadership Education from the University of Nerbaska-Lincoln. She loved Nebraska so much that she decided to stick around and now serves as the Coordinator of Trip Logistics with UNL Outdoor Adventures. She is passionate about creating opportunities for and sharing stories of student development and empowerment through adventure, and when not leading trips can be found flipping kayaks and falling off her mountain bike.
Zach Eigenbrodt
Currently serving as the Executive Director at YMCA of Greater Rochester - Camp Gorham, his journey in the camping world began with an early passion for the wilderness cultivated as a trip leader at Camp Manito-Wish YMCA in Northern Wisconsin. His career flourished over a decade at Frost Valley YMCA, where he progressed from Adventure Director to Senior Director of Camping Services, leaving a lasting impact on the camping programs. His understanding of the natural world is further enriched by a Bachelor's degree in Geoscience from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Beyond the activities themselves, his true passion for camping lies in the profound connections it fosters: connections with oneself, with others, and with the natural world. It was within this enriching camp environment that he met his wife, Megan, and they now share their adventures with their one-year-old son, Elliot, and their dog, Finley.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
8/28/2025
What does it really take to stand out in the outdoor industry? This session will help soon-to-be grads understand which skills and experiences matter most, how to highlight them effectively, and what employers are looking for across a range of roles—from the field to the office.
About the Presenters
Dustin Smucker
Dustin began leading outdoor trips in the late-1900s. After years of seasonal field instructing, he has managed outdoor adventure programs for the last 20+ years. He currently serves as a Program Manager at UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec, supporting student leaders to discover and practice their potential.
Augie Donovan
Brock Gudeman
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
9/4/2025
Discover how to design and lead outdoor programs during spring break and May semesters that balance adventure, education, and professional development for students.
About the Presenters
Christina Spohn
Christina Spohn has been an outdoor educator in collegiate, expeditionary and educational outdoor programs since 2012. She is an avid nordic skier and whitewater rafter, and loves the combination of field work and trip logistics that comes from a career in outdoor education. Christina’s teaching niche are classes and programs that focus on the human - environment interplay across the recreational user spectrum.
Emily Philpott
I have been involved with summer camps, nonprofit organizations, commercial rafting, and collegiate recreation for the past 8 years. In my current position, I have led or supported several extended break trips and have learned a lot (and been reminded that I have a lot left to figure out!). I'm excited to connect with folks who are doing similar work or are trying to expand their programming to share ideas and strategies!
Joey Parent
Joey Parent was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He started exploring rivers and trails on an old BMX bike that his father pulled out of a dumpster and a hand-me down canoe that his mother gave him. Since then, the gear has gotten nicer and the trips have gotten longer, but a yearning to explore has remained the same. Joey currently directs the Outdoor Adventure Program at VCU where he hopes to inspire others to live their own adventures.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
9/11/2025
Learn about career pathways in routesetting, climbing gym management, and outdoor climbing instruction. Understand the required certifications, skills, and opportunities for growth in this specialized field.
About the Presenters
Emery Carlson
Emery recently earned their BA in philosophy from the University of Minnesota where they also worked as one of the head routesetters at the university climbing wall for two years. They have been climbing for almost a decade and have a particular affinity for outdoor sport climbing--especially the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Recently they have been exploring the interplay between their interests in climbing and philosophy and, to this end, have been in contact with some of the scholars who are pioneering the burgeoning academic subfield focusing on the philosophy of climbing in terms of ethics, aesthetics, and even metaphysics.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
9/18/2025
Discover diverse outdoor careers beyond traditional guiding and facilitated recreation. This session will highlight opportunities in federal agencies, conservation, outdoor program administration, and other industry roles.
About the Presenters
Dakota Anderson
Dakota is an Education & Outreach Manager with the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, where he has worked for over 7 years. Dakota oversees a team focused on providing information and education to the public through visitor centers, trail outreach, public programs, and events. Dakota also serves on the board for the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals.
Eboni Preston
Led by a call to action, Eboni is a management professional with a background in operations, partnerships, community engagement, and workforce development. She has spent the last decade working with public land management agencies on research and data collection, programming, policy, and hiring practices. She also works as an adjunct professor in business and social work departments. Outside of work, Eboni serves as a board member for the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Next 100 Coalition, Georgia Conservation Voters, and Justice Outside. Eboni holds a BA from Duke University, an MSSW from Columbia University, an MBA and MPA from Kennesaw State University, a certificate in business analytics from the Wharton School, and a PhD in public policy from Southern University and A&M College.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
9/25/2025
Outdoor excursions carry the risk of incidents and near misses that have the potential to be traumatic both to field staff and participants. We recommend staff training and organizational planning to manage the risk of stress injury.
This webinar will introduce a share language for stress injury, with the goal of helping outdoor professionals identify the risks and manage the impact of stress exposures. We will cover how stress injuries are formed and discuss the importance of including structured support for stress exposure within organizational risk management plans.
About the Presenters
Josie McKee
Josie's career in the outdoor industry includes NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor, Search & Rescue Technician and long-time Outdoor Educator/Guide. Stress exposure throughout her career gave her personal insight into the importance of resilience training. Her experience sparked curiosity to learn more about the psychology of stress and resilience in order to help others through similar experiences. She now serves on the resilience team for Lander Search & Rescue and facilitates stress resilience training for Responder Alliance.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
This webinar series is free for AORE professional members, $5 for AORE supporter members, and $20 not yet AORE members.
10/9/2025
Weather patterns have been changing over the past decade, and the increase of fires, flooding, and hurricanes are impacting programs. This roundtable is made to share thoughts, resources, and policies associated to risk management and program planning, as well as a place to discuss new changes programs may have made in response to these shifts in weather patterns.
This session is free for all attendees.
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About the Series: Pathways to the Outdoors: Careers, Certifications, and Sustainable Futures
Whether you're just stepping into the outdoor industry or planning your next professional move, this series offers a roadmap to building a purposeful and sustainable career in outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Explore a variety of topics ranging from entry-level opportunities to advanced certifications, niche careers, risk management strategies, and wellness in the workplace.
Each session in this series is designed to equip you with practical tools, insider insights, and real-world strategies to help you grow as a confident, informed, and impactful outdoor professional. From seasonal jobs and resume building to mental health resilience and climate-adaptive programming, join experts and peers to shape a future that is not only career ready but also community and sustainability minded.
Ideal for current students, job seekers, seasonal staff, and mid-career professionals looking to expand their role in the outdoor industry.
This series will offer free learning credits to participants in partnership with American Trails.
11/4/2025 - 11/7/2025
For complete conference information, please START BY CLICKING HERE!
To continue on to attendee registration, click the "Register for this Event" button below.
Looking to sign up for ONLY a Pre- or Post-conference Workshop? Click "Register for this Event" and choose "Conference Workshop ONLY" to then select the workshop. Attendance at the Annual Conference is not required for Pre- and Post-conference Workshops.
Location: San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101