Building Careers in Outdoor Adventure
We started in 2018 with a straightforward goal—help people break into the adventure tourism industry without needing connections or prior experience. Just real skills and practical knowledge that actually matter.
Where This All Started
Back in early 2018, a small group of us were sitting around after a climbing trip in West Texas. We'd all worked in outdoor tourism for years—guiding, coordinating expeditions, managing lodges. And we kept noticing the same thing: talented people who loved the outdoors couldn't find their way into professional roles.
Most training programs were either too academic or didn't cover what you actually need on the ground. So we decided to build something different. Something rooted in field experience, not just classroom theory. We wanted to prepare people for the real challenges—logistics, safety protocols, customer dynamics, weather changes.
By March 2018, we launched our first program in El Paso with eight students. Now we work with outdoor enthusiasts across the Southwest, helping them transition into meaningful careers in adventure tourism.
What We Stand For
These aren't corporate values pulled from a template. They're principles that actually guide how we work with students every day.
Field-First Learning
We teach the way people actually learn outdoor skills—through hands-on practice, mistakes, and gradual mastery. No death by PowerPoint.
Honest Preparation
The outdoor industry has challenges. Weather doesn't cooperate. Clients panic. Equipment fails. We prepare you for those realities, not some idealized version.
Accessible Pathways
You don't need elite wilderness credentials to start. We work with career changers, recent grads, and people rediscovering their direction.
Industry Connections
We maintain relationships with tour operators, lodges, and outfitters. Many of our students connect with employers through our network.
Safety Without Shortcuts
Risk management isn't optional in this field. We emphasize proper protocols because they actually save lives and careers.
Sustainable Practices
The places we work in need protection. We integrate conservation ethics and Leave No Trace principles into everything we teach.
Who's Behind the Programs
Our team includes guides, outdoor educators, and former tour operators who've spent years in the field. We know what works because we've been there.
Sienna Valtonen
Program DirectorSienna spent twelve years leading backcountry expeditions in the Southwest before transitioning to education. She designs our curriculum based on real scenarios she's navigated—from flash flood evacuations to multi-day desert crossings. Her approach emphasizes decision-making under pressure.
Katja Lindstrom
Lead InstructorWith a background in wilderness medicine and mountain guiding, Katja brings technical expertise and practical teaching methods. She's worked with adventure companies across three continents and understands the diverse demands of the industry. Her classes focus on building genuine competence, not just checking boxes.
How We Actually Prepare People
Our training model combines classroom foundation with extensive field practice. Students learn concepts, then immediately apply them in realistic outdoor scenarios.
Progressive Skill Building
We start with fundamental outdoor skills—navigation, weather assessment, equipment use—then layer in more complex competencies like group management and emergency response. Each phase builds on previous knowledge.
Scenario-Based Training
Our field exercises replicate actual situations you'll face: sudden weather shifts, injured clients, equipment malfunctions, route-finding challenges. You practice problem-solving before stakes are real.
Mentorship Integration
Every student works closely with experienced professionals who provide feedback, share industry insights, and help navigate career entry. These relationships often extend beyond program completion.
Ready to Start Your Outdoor Career?
Our next program launches in August 2026. If you're serious about working in adventure tourism, we'd like to hear from you. Reach out and we'll discuss whether this path makes sense for your goals.
Get in Touch