So, what does this mean?

• For now, you're what's called a Pnuckle (leader in training).

• You'll be a Pnuckle until you

  • 1) attend New Leader Orientation on October 8th
  (more details coming soon - but it's going to be a blast),
  • 2) co-lead your first trip with a current YO leader, and
  • 3) attend 3 skill sessions this semester.

  Once you complete these three requirements, you're a full-fledged leader! Woohoo!

What do I need to do?

• Show up to YO weekly leaders meeting this coming Monday, October 5th from 6 pm to 7 pm in the Davenport Courtyard.

  At these weekly dinner meetings, we share our recent outdoor adventures and coordinate upcoming trip planning. If you already have budding trip ideas for 2-3 weeks out, don't be shy to bring them with you. Otherwise, come with big ears and watch how YO makes the magic happen. These meetings are the heart and soul of the weekly rhythm of YO.

• Come to weekly Skills Sessions offered by current YO leaders.

  These sessions are a great way to brush up on rusty skills or acquire new ones. You must to attend three of them to become a full-fledged member. The first skill session is on Shelters and will take place before this Monday's meeting at 5 o'clock in the Davenport Buttery (check the YO weekly update). Other skill sessions include Cooking, Outdoor Leadership, Wilderness First Aid, Stoves, and navigation. More details will be announced in time.

• In order to be listed as a leader on the Yale Outdoors website please email a picture and a short bio to Sylvan (sylvan.zheng@yale.edu), Aaron (aaron.troncoso@yale.edu) and Marcus (marcus.russi@yale.edu) by next Monday, October 12th.

What if I want to spend even more time with YO?

• Stay tuned for a Yale Outdoors Happy [H]Our (YOHO) in the near future. These feature baked goods, beer, cheer, and stellar company! More details coming from the social couch soon!
• FallYO (fall break trips) is an opportunity to link up with older leaders, get experience in leading a YO trip right off the bat, and knock out your co-leading requirement in an exciting way. Naturally, you'll have priority placement on FallYO trips as a co-leading Pnuckle. Email our expedition coordinator, David Milewicz (david.milewicze@yale.edu) ASAP if you're interested in helping lead one of our FallYO trips. Some fantastic trips are in the works - from a southern adventure in the Shenandoah to day trips in the local area - so be in touch if you want to co-lead!

Some final thoughts:

• We're thrilled and grateful that you all will be joining our wonderful and crunchy-as-a-Clif Bar family. We know from your thoughtful and passionate applications that you're just as excited as we are, and we can't wait to get to know you better and start doing cool things outside together.
• You'll be added to the leaders' panlist shortly, and we'll look forward to seeing you at our weekly meeting next Monday (10/5)!