Get to know a little more about the people who really make the magic in the Longacre Experience
The staff at Longacre is the foundation upon which the program is built. Our rule of thumb is “great staffers make great trips.” From course director to trip leader to specialist, each individual possesses a strong commitment to safe conduct in each activity and a truly caring manner for every person on the trip. They hold first aid certifications, have diverse experiences with teenagers, and are proficient in many outdoor activities.

Course directors are individuals with a wide range of skills and years of experience with Longacre. They understand Longacre goals and philosophy and participate in off-season planning and preparation as well as summertime administration. The course directors orchestrate day-to-day events in each program area and work closely with all field staff to assure that trips run smoothly.

A blend of hard and soft skills is crucial to the successful trip leader. Clearly, leaders must be competent and comfortable in outdoor settings and the activities. They must also have a demeanor, the charisma and leadership skills, which can inspire a group of teenagers and shape the group.

Our trip leaders hail from all over the country and from many walks of life. Most are teachers who want to mentor kids in a more dynamic venue. Others are instructors at environmental centers and marine institutes or are graduate students. Every year a significant number of leaders are former Longacre students who want to pass the experiences that they received when they were teenagers on. Longacre Expeditions augments the skills that the leaders already have in place with a 9-day pre-summer training session. During this time we discuss our philosophy, how to motivate a group, logistics, and safety.

In all, the staff is veterans in outdoor recreation and backcountry travel. They are familiar with group travel techniques, low impact camping, and the ways of the woods. They know what it's like to ask others to push for challenging goals. They are interested in helping teenagers learn more about themselves, become more aware of the environment and environmental issues, and improve technical skills involved in outdoor pursuits.