The Connecticut AMC Chapter offers many opportunities to learn the skills that make a good hike, ski, or other activity leader. These include the SOLO Wilderness First Aid class, CPR training, Leadership Training School, and Leadership Training Sessions. In addition you may be interested in Conservation meetings and programs presented by the Fairfield County Group or the East of the River Committee.
AMC and the Connecticut Chapter have adopted new Leadership Requirements and Guidelines. This document, developed by the Outdoor Leadership Development Committee of AMC, establishes training guidelines for AMC activity leaders.
To register as a hike leader, contact Peg Peterson, Leader Recruitment Co-coordinator, 203-775-1813, or complete the Hike Leader Qualification Form. The mailing address is on the form.
GUIDELINES FOR HIKE LEADER QUALIFICATIONS (PDF Download)
To lead hikes, backpacking or skiing events for the CT- AMC Chapter, leaders must be approved by the Excursions Committee.
Qualifications common to all levels to become or remain as an CT-AMC Hike Leader for any level:
- Current, adult member of the AMC in good standing.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of the AMC Outdoor Leader Handbook and policies, standard practices, and protocols.
- Consistently demonstrates common sense and good judgment, including awareness of his/her own condition and limitations, that of the group, and awareness of the environment and changing circumstances of the trip.
- Demonstrates relevant outdoors, leadership and interpersonal skills, abilities and stamina above that required by a participant at the relevant level.
Day Hike Leader (HL) Class 1 – Day Hikes at Less than 4000ft Elevation (Plus Hunter and Slide in the Catskills) – All Year Round
- Successfully completed either an CT-AMC Leadership Training Session or Leadership Training School
- Successfully co-led* 2 AMC hikes with different HLs.
- Considers taking a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course (highly recommended).
Day Hike Leader Class 2 (HL2) – Day Hikes at Greater than 4000ft Elevation – April to November Only
Met all of the HL1 requirements, plus
- successfully led 3 or more AMC day hikes within 2 years
- successfully co-led 2 day hikes with different HLs at greater than 4000ft elevation
- successfully completed AMC’s Mountain Leadership School**
- holds a current WFA certificate
- demonstrats proficiency in map and compass and off trail navigation skills.
Day Hike Leader Class 3 (HL3) – Day Hikes at Greater than 4000 ft Elevation – All Year Round
Met all of the HL2 requirements, plus
- successfully led 6 or more AMC day hikes in the last 2 years
- successfully co-led 2 or more day hikes with different HLs at greater than 4000ft elevation during winter
- demonstrated four-season hiking skills, including proficiency in the use of snowshoes, light traction, and crampons.
- demonstrates proficiency in assessing the conditions that dictate which traction aids to use, and how to assess participants’ competence in their use, as well as the ability to teach proper use of each traction aid.
Backpacking Leader (BP) Class 1 – Day Hikes at Less than 4000 ft Elevation (Plus Hunter and Slide in the Catskills)– All Year Round
- Meets Day HL Class 1 requirements, plus co-led* two backpacking trips and receive a recommendation from the trip leaders
- Demonstrates proficiency in map and compass and off trail navigation skills, including nighttime navigation.
Backpacking Leader Class 2 (BP2) – Backpacking at Greater than 4000ft Elevation – April to November Only
Met all of the BP1 requirements, plus
- successfully met HL2 requirements
- successfully co-led* 2 backpacking trips at greater than 4000ft elevation with different backpacking leaders and received recommendation from the mentors.
Backpacking Leader Class 3 (BP3) – Backpacking at Greater than 4000ft Elevation – All Year Round
Met all of the BP2 requirements, plus
- successfully met HL3 requirements
- successfully co-led* 2 winter backpacking trips over 4000 ft elevation and received a recommendation from the BP mentors (can use Winter Backpack Workshop in place of one of the co-leads.)
- demonstrates four-season backpacking skills, including melting snow, and setting up a winter camp.
*Co-Leading
At the minimum, co-leading the first hike in any category entails planning with the HL, presenting the trailhead introduction to the hike, and debriefing with the HL. Co-leading subsequent hikes entails planning and leading the hike from start to finish, with the mentor HL there for guidance and support, as needed.
Hike Leading Waivers
For any given candidate, specific qualifications may be waived by the CT-AMC Excursions Committee in light of the individual’s overall skill, experience, and training, and a recommendation from a hike leader already certified at that level.
Remaining Qualified
Once approved as a leader, the leader will need to lead and/or co-lead a hike or other activity within a two-year calendar period to remain at an active status.
An inactive leader can be reinstated to active status if the leader is an active AMC member in good standing and meets the appropriate qualifications to the satisfaction of the CT-AMC Excursions Committee.
** or equivalent experience
| Form Name | PDF Format | Description |
| Leader Qualification Application | Download 289KB (2022) | Form for new hike leaders. |
