The Wayfinder – Thinking Differently About Mentorship and Finding Your Path.
Five Truths That Punctuate How We Find Our Way
1. Desire for Exploration
Many of us enjoy exploring new paths in life, whether physical or metaphorical. It’s about discovering new experiences and emotions, broadening our perspectives and redefining our lens on the world and ourselves. There exists this drive (whether big or small) to move forward.
2. Fear of the Unknown
Venturing into uncharted territory can be daunting. It’s ambitious but also scary as we may not know how to proceed or what to expect. For most of us, doing something completely new, and jumping into the unknown is as far from reality as winning the lottery. It is absolutely okay to follow in the footsteps of others, and if we are being honest with ourselves, it is what most of us do anyway, so why not embrace this reality? Accepting this is important to feeling movement is possible.
3. Facing Misconceptions
Many of us hold onto misconceptions about ourselves that we may not even realize. These misconceptions can prevent us from truly understanding who we are or what we want. The world tells us we should all be trailblazers, leaders, hungry to seize the opportunity, ambitious, forward-thinking, and the list goes on. We get very little opportunity to think outside of this very narrow framework and even fewer opportunities to figure out the waypoints and signs we may individually value and empower our true selves.
4. Skill of Navigation
Knowing where we want to go is one thing, but navigating a path requires skills that many of us lack or are in deep need of refinement. Understanding the signs, making decisions, and staying on course are challenging in a world filled with the daily bombardment of content flung in our direction. How is anyone to calibrate their compass so they can be present to see the smaller markers that can help guide us along our path?
5. Learning from Others
The Wayfinder at ALIVE Outdoors
We are redefining what it means to work with students in our outdoor classroom. We want to more fully embrace diversity in backgrounds and skills, and recognize that the past is not the model for our future. We are thinking differently about both the impact and opportunity we can have on the students we work with. The planet and our collective communities require us to put in this effort. We know that we can make a difference by staying focused on what really matters, the interactions our instructors make with students, and how those interactions help build community and nurture growth.
We are moving away from the title “outdoor educator” towards something that feels more holistic. At this moment, Wayfinder feels like a good fit. A Wayfinder is a person who helps individuals find direction, overcome challenges, and discover their strengths. They embody the qualities of empathy, resilience, and adaptability. Wayfinders are not just educators but also advocates who encourage exploration, curiosity, and a deeper connection with oneself and the natural world. They support students in navigating life’s complexities, fostering a sense of confidence, independence, and purpose along the way. They are good people who see their job as empowering young people with the skills to find and follow their path.
Whether you’re a chef with a passion for sustainability, a naturalist who thrives in exploring ecosystems, an artist who sees creativity in every landscape, or a guide with a knack for navigating lakes, trails or minds, there’s a place for you here. Our goal is to empower individuals from all walks of life to realize their potential as Wayfinders for young people. Ultimately, we want to work with people who feel like they can help students think differently about their passions, purpose and self-worth. This isn’t a great leap, but it does require that a Wayfinder has a broader mindset and a dedication to trying new things, a willingness to be open and honest, and a desire to foster connection.
We will forever be interested in welcoming wilderness guides, paddlers, lifeguards, ropes course specialists, etc. Our overall goal is to help people see that they have a place working with ALIVE if they are invested in helping deliver experiences for young people that empower students on their personal and communal journeys.
