[ad_1]
“], “filter”: {“nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote”} }”>
Mike Kmitt didn’t always have his sights set on becoming a full-time outdoor guide. In the year Out of business school in 2017, he held down two part-time jobs as an overnight camp instructor at the Phoenix Zoo and a shoe technician at an REI store in Tempe, Arizona.
“I had a co-worker who worked as a guide at REI and he always had fun stories about the gig,” says Kmit. Spurred on, he signed up for a wilderness first responder class with NOLS and soon found a job leading day hiking, biking and rafting trips out of Scottsdale for local host Arizona Outdoor Adventures (AOA).
“I was mainly hired to smile and point out waterfalls when senior leaders took most of the actual direction,” he said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but my training was short and it went like this: Come as a guest for a couple of training trips, learn all you can and then fly, little bird!”
Five years later, it’s Kim’s day to lead. He now leads backpacking and camping adventures as a full-time multi-day interpretive guide. REI experiences.
In the year In 2020, 160.7 million Americans over the age of six participated in at least one outdoor activity — a total of 7.1 million more participants than in 2019, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. As more startups move in, managing them becomes a daunting task. REI, in particular, has grown more than 60 percent over the past 12 months in REI Experience offerings, a growing list of 124 multi-day adventure trips led by professional local guides from around the US.
Have opportunities for leads as the business grows. Later REI acquired AOA in 2019 Kimitt’s career as a guide has completely changed to enhance his guiding and traveling skills. Until then, he commuted for extended hours, waived entry-level pay, and dabbled in backcountry adventures due to limited health insurance coverage.
After the acquisition, REI changed its wage format from a daily rate to an hourly rate to gain competitiveness in a tight labor market. Kmit’s upgraded gig guaranteed a 16-hour workday plus overtime, which added up quickly. For starters, tour operators get optional health insurance through HSA and paid vacation and sick time, a 401k plan, annual bonuses and even sabbaticals – all quality and balanced job benefits. He wasn’t living the trash bag lifestyle.
“[Before guiding with REI]I remember feeling like it was a privilege to do what I do,” said Kmitt. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a good living—especially when you’re responsible for keeping people safe in the backcountry and in life-threatening situations.
Kemit’s history reflects many American-based guides to the industry—a journey that requires grueling work hours, technical expertise, and life-saving wilderness skills (developed tirelessly over many years in the field). Colby Brockvist, travel leader, guide, coach and author Professional instruction manualLeveling up to a full-time job or leading international tours requires an additional level of experience, leadership and professionalism in the world of guiding, he says.
“It’s easy to go up there for a day and lead a river rafting trip, or it’s easy to go rope climbing for a day – but not that long. [the guides] Those with long-term wilderness experience get to the heart of command: real-life leadership, team and risk management, and operational and logistics execution,” said Brockvist. “These types of things require a higher level of performance and come with more experience, training and a greater knowledge base.”
Kmit and Brokvist both testify that leading is a multi-tasking job.
They are not only providing a fun and amazing experience in the wilderness; They also take on the role of leader, role model, coach, environmental educator and lifeguard.
“Each guide has different skills, stories and passions that they bring with them to work every day,” says Kmit. “if so [travelers] Whether you want to improve your backpacking or camping skills, or want to learn more about flora, fauna, geology, indigenous cultures, and other elements of the natural world—guides can talk about these things. You walk away from a trip not only loving a place, but feeling a deep sense of connection, not just showing up and reading a few signs.
In his book, Brockquist describes one of the roles that guides must play as “the translator.” This role requires guides to foster curiosity among travelers by helping people think critically about their places.
“Being an interpreter means guides can provide insight and feedback on trips that focus on things like responsible tourism and conservation, social empowerment and amplifying local voices. Guides can help connect guests with local stories—ecological, cultural, social, economic—to create deeper connections with the people and the places and wildlife they visit.
The directory market can only grow. In addition to multi-day adventure trips, REI continues to host day trips and educational programs in 14 cities to educate people and prepare their outdoor skill sets for activities such as camping, biking, paddling and climbing.
Mark Siddle, REI Vice President of Experience Division, said the company has ambitious goals to meet and drive demand for multi-day adventure trips, tours and rentals. The goal, he said, is to get 3 million people outdoors each year. The company recognizes that the quality and results of thousands of guides remain the main reason for their success.
“We believe the guide is the product and they are the most important part of the customer experience. REI is committed to attracting and retaining the best guides in the industry – whether they are experienced or just starting out – and our benefits and compensation reflect this goal.”
As interest in guided outdoor adventures explodes, outfitters like REI have their work cut out for them to continue to attract and hire high-quality guides fit to lead groups into the wilderness.
“What used to be a dirtbag summer gig has turned into a year-round gig with long-term demand for pay, benefits and quality of life,” Kmit said. Now there’s a chance to see a guide from a professional perspective.
[ad_2]
Source link
