The Power of Staff Ownership at 100 Elk

Last year, we encouraged the 100 Elk Outdoor Center staff to take more ownership of the programming we provide to schools – to apply their own skills and to grow and develop as effective leaders and facilitators. They began to recognize this special opportunity to improve our offerings for schools and received great feedback from their efforts.

For example, when a school asked us to help meet their state curriculum requirements in habitat ecology and the water cycle, our staff took on the idea, and the students and teachers felt we went above and beyond their expectations.

This season, we’re carrying that energy forward, finding out what staff members are interested in doing, and then also saying, “Here’s the need; here’s the feedback we got last year. How can we use it to refresh what we offer?”

We get a lot of returning schools at 100 Elk, so the feedback is invaluable. Last fall, one school shared that the backcountry skills rotation felt a little dry. We asked staff to rethink that rotation to get the kids active with the content. The staff took on the challenge wholeheartedly, and schools this season have responded positively to the change.

For staff, this is not just about coming to work, but about having input and taking ownership of what we do. The staff members who were able to put something together were excited and encouraged by the feedback from teachers and students. It left them feeling, “Wow, I did something to make the program better.”

The impact is really twofold. When we’re putting our best foot forward, we’re invested in it, and I think that shows up. The students feel that from the staff. Creating unique outdoor education adventures helps students learn and explore in impactful ways.