At 13 years old I did my first high ropes course. Dangling in my harness 30 feet above the ground, I said to myself: “THIS is a job! I want this job.” Soon thereafter I started working as a camp counselor and loved everything about it–working with children, spending time outside, teaching new skills, being silly and spontaneous, and most importantly, feeling like I was really making a difference in people’s lives. The opportunity to share my passions, connect people to natural environments, foster opportunities for personal and group development, and create effective educational spaces has fueled me and led me to where I am now. I’ve done this work with the Peace Corps, Outward Bound, summer camps, and now, as a college professor. This is what Outdoor Leadership is all about— harnessing the power of the outdoors and associated activities as tools for education, growth and development.