Leadership

Cascadia is dedicated to crafting transformational learning experiences and helping develop tomorrow’s leaders.  For teens, we’ve discovered that living and traveling in the wild has proven to be an optimum environment to focus on leadership development.   The subject is complex so we begin by breaking it down into smaller pieces, then as learning progresses our students begin connecting the pieces while practicing their new-found skills.  

In our course design we’ve set forth clear and tangible developmental goals and our instructors follow a coherent progression to teach five key leadership skills. 

1. Communication
2. Teamwork
3. Decision Making
4. Self-Awareness
5. Vision and Action

Cascadia emphasizes teaching collaborative leadership whereby the strengths of individuals come together to create synergy to meet almost any challenge. Along the way students learn four types of leadership styles and get opportunities to practice them.

1. Designated Leadership
2. Followship
3. Peer Leadership
4. Self Leadership

Challenges and conditions presented as we journey together are authentic and real.  Consequently, students perceive a sense of purpose which spurs on their intrinsic motivation to develop personal meaning from the experience.  Once they have a chance to practice applying leadership skills in different contexts, we believe students will be better prepared to lead and learn far beyond the course.

Community Service For High School Students, Summer Volunteer Programs, Educational Travel, Experiential Education