Alumni

Many people hear about OLP from the graduates who now work in a variety of fields--from the outdoor industry to education and human services.

Alumni have found that the teaching, leadership, and human relation skills emphasized inthe curriculum have led them not only to careers with outdoor and environmental organizations like NOLS, Outward Bound and Audubon, but also with public and private schools and social service agencies.

At the 15th anniversary reunion, alumni counted at least 50 graduates who run their own businesses--proof that an entrepreneurial flair is alive and well!

Recent Employers
You can find recent OLP graduates in entry-level positions at a variety of locations...teaching whitewater canoeing and kayaking at Zoar Outdoor in MA or the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina, as environmental educators in the Chewonki Foundation's Maine school program or at Camp Thoreau in MA, running ropes and rock programs for summer programs at Beaver Country Day School or Thayer Academy in MA, teaching map & compass programs for the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center in MA, and running domestic travel trips for Interlocken in NH.

Others teach at alternative high schools such as California Academy in California, Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico, Aspen Achievement in Utah and Summit Achievement in New Hampshire.

Some have specialized in adaptive recreation programs like the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management's universal access programs, Wilderness Inquiry in Minnesota, and Maine Handicapped Skiing. Others lead trips with youth-at-risk referred by state youth agencies or courts such as Connecticut's The Wilderness School.

OLP Graduates as Managers
After initial employment, graduates have become outdoor program coordinators for schools like California Academy in CA, instructional managers for Zoar Outdoor in MA, and directors of college programs at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Landmark College in Vermont. They also direct government-funded entities like the Mendocino County recreation program.

The range of businesses owned by OLP graduates can be quite unique. Look for the distinctive brown sails of the Angelique, a tall ship out of Camden Harbor, Maine, because the boat is owned and piloted by an OLP alumnus.

"OLP was extremely growthful personally and professionally. I grew as a person in self confidence, interpersonal skills, values clarification, and appreciation of the Earth."

"...I had just got out of the military so my experience was wonderful."

"All the 'soft skills' work has application beyond the professional field."

"I grew more during my year at OLP than any year so far. I found out a lot about myself and my leadership style."

"The confidence to create my place in the outdoor world was my best benefit."

"I made some great and lasting friends. I learned to process my experiences as well as others, and I had great role models for professionalism with a human side."

"Taking the year for myself was a great gift to myself. Changing careers in my 40s was a big change."

"My whole way of doing things has been affected in a positive way, because we slowed down a lot and understood things in a more intellectual way."

Alumni Connection