Click here to apply!

Goals of this position:

• Provide support for both frontcountry and backcountry AESOP trips
• Provide transportation to AESOP trips when necessary
• Minimize travel time for coordinators/staff

The AESOP mission is to engage and empower every incoming Bates student to be their authentic selves through off-campus** student-led orientation programs. AESOP is committed to designing experiences that are accessible, fun, and catered to all skill levels. Through small-group experiences, we foster inclusivity, enduring friendships, and a strong connection to place. AESOP welcomes each incoming student with warmth and compassion to the Bates community, providing them the foundation and confidence to navigate their first-year experience.

With trips for the entire first-year class occurring over three days, we are committed to risk management in providing both logistical support and evacuation support for these trips. Trips can require “evacuations,” which means anything from a medical emergency to a student who needs to be moved to another trip. These “evacuations” can present many logistical complications and during any evacuation it’s imperative that we do our best to manage risk and support the students impacted. Some trips venture into wilderness settings with limited access to running water, cell service and transportation, so ensuring that leaders have support systems to aid and support with emergencies builds a culture of risk management within the program. 

The purpose of the Emergency Response & Transportation Teams is to transport students from campsites to other locations during their trips and also to respond to any evacuation requests from trip leaders in remote locations. These teams are groups of 2-3 students who are stationed at campsites near remote wilderness trips. In practice, being a member of an Emergency Response & Transportation Team functions much like leading an AESOP trip, including  the new goal of being a quick-to-the-scene support person who is ready to help out at a moment’s notice.

We highly encourage you to apply to be an Emergency Response & Transportation Team member. ERTT leaders are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. For AESOP 2023, applications are due on April 12 at 8pm. We will hold interviews for all applicants in late April and send out decisions in May.

Time Commitment

• Arrive back on campus August 22nd (if you need to take Wilderness First Aid) or August 24th (if you have WFA or higher certification)
• Attend trainings & provide logistical support on campus from 8/24-8/31
• AESOP weekend 8/31-9/2
• Assist with van return 9/3

Skills We’re Hiring For

• Ability to foster a culture and experience that is inclusive of all genders, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and identities
• Commitment to AESOP as a first-year experience meant for the benefit of the incoming class
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Willingness and excitement to spend time supporting trips
• Commitment to risk management as a culture
• Respect for and communication with other members of the team
• Excitement about and commitment to creating lasting connections with first-years
• Agreement between co-leaders about what kind of trip you are interested in supporting (something you are BOTH comfortable with and excited about)

**If you are applying to a technical trip (backpacking, rock climbing, etc.) experience in the activity will be preferred.  We also have many trips that are not technical (farm trips, day tripping, community engagement, etc.) that require less technical skills.

Note: Due to significant leadership responsibilities and vital interaction with both upperclass and new students, all applicants will be vetted for conduct and ethical concerns through a Conduct Review process, via the Office of Student Support and Community Standards and the Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance.

Certifications Earned During Leadership Week

• Wilderness First Aid Certification (WFA)
• Bates Van Certification
• Educational Trip Leader Permit (for backcountry trips only)

A Few of the Skills Practiced During Leadership Week

• Facilitating positive small-group experiences
• Building a cohesive and inclusive group dynamic
• Interpersonal conflict resolution
• “Leave No Trace” practices
• Emergency safety skills and procedures
• General outdoors skills (e.g. how to use a camp stove, how to pack a hiking backpack, basic knots, tent/tarp set up, navigation skills)

Note: All leaders goes on a ‘leadership trip’ with other AESOP leaders to try out new skills and practice for the real deal. ERT Teams will also go out on a “leadership trip” to practice. Think of these trips as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for when the first-years finally arrive!

Click here to apply!

If you have any questions please email cluedee@bates.edu.