Outdoor Leadership Summit

It is through service to others that we realize our full potential as leaders.

June 9-15, 2012 

 ProgramOverview

Thank you for considering the Peter Terbush Memorial Outdoor Leadership Summit at Western State College of Colorado! This program continues to be a flagship course offered through the Wilderness Pursuits program at WSC. The Summit is designed as a skills and servant leadership-based course for collegiate outdoor program leaders.  Each year we receive applications from around the country from student leaders as well as program administrators looking to hone their skills.  The Summit staff and Western State College are committed to the safety and quality of this program along with maintaining affordability for the participants. 

A Unique Purpose

The Summit memorializes Peter Terbush who died a hero in Yosemite Valley on June 13th, 1999. Peter's last act was to save the life of his friend and climbing partner by maintaining a proper belay in the face of a rock slide that took his life. The Summit is a living memorial of Peter. The Summit takes its primary mission from Peter's life: it is through service to others that we realize our full potential as leaders.  It is impossible to describe the power of the Summit experience. It is among the most unique programs available anywhere in the world today. If you would like to learn more about Peter's story visit http://www.srcfc.org/Good-News/Peter-Terbush-Story/

Course Offerings

Alpine Mountaineering Instructor

Multi-Pitch Rock Instructor

Single-Pitch Rock Instructor

Evaluation

The Summit provides the opportunity for participants to be evaluated as instructors and guides in one of three areas; 3rd and 4th class alpine mountaineering (glacier skills not included), 5th class multi-pitch rock (5.11, Grade IV), or top rope rock at either a student or professional level. The professional level evaluation is equivalent to the objectives and standards of well-known professional mountain guide associations. The student level is specifically designed for instructors of university-based outings programs who will work under the close supervision of a professional director. The Summit is not a certification course and there is no “pass/fail” assessment, however, this program is highly evaluative and participants will leave with concrete feedback on their performance. This program is designed to train leaders at a very high standard, thus making people ready to lead others in technical environments while still embracing the transformative aspects of outdoor pursuits and group interactions.

Staff

The staff of the Summit are leading professionals in their field. They are highly skilled and dedicated educators, as well as fully proficient guides. Our programs are limited to very small staff to student ratios of 1:3 or 1:4 depending on the program content and location.  Our instructors are some of the best in the business representing many years of experience in the field, and many have additional training and certification through industry leaders such as the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) and International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA).  We are more than great technicians. We are great leaders, and we strive to better the leadership ability of our students in our every undertaking.We invite you to read the testimonials of our past participants to hear why this is such an amazing and rewarding course.

Cost

Participants of the Summit pay $525 of the program cost. The remaining program cost is subsidized by the generous gifts of the Peter Terbush family and friends, the Chatlos Foundation and Western State College of Colorado. Every participant automatically receives an $1,000 scholarship. 

Application Process

The Summit is a small program, accepting no more than 20 students each year.  Some students will come from Western State College while the rest are from schools from California to Maine. As a result, acceptance is competitive and not everyone gets selected for their first choice program.  In fact, many people come back for another year to study a different discipline at The Summit.  Selection will be based on a number of factors including your application and experience log, resume, and your sincere desire to be a servant leader for your college or university.  If you are not selected this year, we will make every effort to get you involved in following years. Particular attention will be paid to students and professionals with a demonstrated record of excellence in employment in university-based outdoor adventure programs and service to others. Applicants must indicate their first, second and third program choice. All courses run concurrenlty and it is possible to participate in only one course per year.

Applications must include:

Participants will be notified of their selection via email by April 15th.

To apply please submit your application to:

Wilderness Pursuits - Summit
Western State College of Colorado
120 College Center
Gunnison, CO 81231

Fax 970-943-2702

Phone 970-943-7107

Email wp@western.edu