The strength and success of any educational program relies on the quality of the staff. Our leaders are top-notch — energetic, friendly, genuine, fun, well-educated and well-traveled. They share a love for working with young people, as well as a passion for experiential learning and teaching. Our Course Lead Instructors are hired for an area or areas of expertise, and most have had years of experience in outdoor adventure and/or the academic topics we pursue. Our primary academic instructors have a master’s degree or Ph.D. in their program’s field of study. Our knowledgeable instructors, intensive staff training and years of experience in running trips abroad sets Academic Treks apart from school trips and travel programs.

The AT course design requires us to use several instructors for each program. Two AT staff members lead the trip, providing focus and continuity to the program. In-country outfitters are used to provide the local knowledge and expertise for expedition phases. These additional teachers and outfitters provide a perspective, depth of knowledge and access to resources that could not be obtained otherwise. Formal instruction is given by professional educators with experience teaching young adults through experiential and project-based learning.

Our Course Lead Instructors complete intensive staff training before the program at Broadreach headquarters, which includes a focus on risk management, in-country logistics, emergency protocols, leadership training and teaching students how to integrate experiences learned on program into their everyday lives when they return home. At least one of the course leaders is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with a minimum of 80 hours of emergency medical training.