Field Instructor Interaction

Field Instructors supervise a small peer group of students while they are on wilderness treks as well as at base camp. In addition to extensive backgrounds in outdoor education, our Instructors have a passion for working with teenagers to make a difference in their lives. Phoenix Outdoor considers the Field Instructor an integral part of the treatment team and provides extensive on-going training and supervision to ensure that that this team functions at the highest possible level.

When instructors begin their week with the students, they gather valuable information about the student's progress from the outgoing instructor group. Additionally, they participate in a clinical debrief where the therapist and field instructors set goals and provide individual assignments for each student for the upcoming week.

The Instructor team will deliver the values-based curriculum lesson plans throughout the week and are available for students to discuss their thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Often, students confide in and bond with the Instructors and open up to them during their time in the field. Instructors also function as the eyes and ears for the treatment team while the student is away from camp. Because self-care is an indication of emotional health, Instructors monitor how the student cares for their health, hygiene and personal gear. They are keenly aware of how the student is interacting with the group, opening up during curriculum lessons and contributing to group goals.

Instructor give valuable feedback to the therapists through the Field Instructor Observations as well as the clinical debrief meetings. Instructor notes are posted on the Parent Connection Web Portal weekly so that parents and referral sources can be updated on a student's progress.