Overview:
The role of Advanced Guide is a promotion awarded by the Head Guide with the advice of Hiking, Boating, Climbing, and/or Winter Sports Coordinators that enables a Mountain Club Guide to serve as a guide trainer and reflects their commitment to future service with MMC. The promotion will be awarded for a minimum of one of the following categories: Backpacking, Winter Backpacking, Climbing, Frontcountry Skiing, Sea Kayaking, or Canoeing. Advanced Guides are selected based on meeting three main criteria: competency in guiding and MMC, commitment to the organization, and teaching ability. The responsibilities of an Advanced Guide are to uphold all existing commitments as a Mountain Club Guide in their remaining time at Middlebury, and facilitate at least two co-leads or lead at least one seminar each semester. Advanced Guides who earn the promotion prior to the seventh semester will be recognized with an Advanced Guide jacket.
Questions can be directed to mmc@middlebury.edu or to the current Head Guide.
Selection Process:
Advanced Guides are selected by the Head Guide through a rolling nomination and interview process based on the below guidelines.
Nominations can be submitted by any MMC Guide, the nominee themself, a Coordinator, Outdoor Programs staff, or the Head Guide, once the Guide has reached at least 5 days of trips. When a nomination is submitted, the Head Guide should also be notified by the nomination submitter.
At the discretion of the Head Guide, nominees may be invited for an interview with the Head Guide.
The Head Guide and the discipline coordinators will evaluate the candidate based on the below criteria and notify the candidate of whether or not they will be awarded the promotion. The Head Guide can consult appropriate parties about the candidate if needed.
Any candidate who is not selected should be offered specific feedback and areas for growth in the case they wish to keep pursuing the Advanced Guide role.
Guidelines:
Below are guidelines for awarding the Advanced Guide role. The candidate should have:
Displayed exemplary performance in their role as a guide on trips they have led. This can be gauged through intel provided by the candidate’s co-guides, the candidate themself, the candidate’s coordinator(s), participant feedback, and the working experience between the Head Guide (or a previous Head Guide) and the candidate.
Led a minimum of 5-10 days of trips, averaging at least 2 per semester. The purpose of this guideline is to evaluate guiding competency and can take into account all guiding experience. However, MMC-specific knowledge is still essential. The 5-10 days are also only one aspect to reflect the candidate’s commitment to the organization, and candidates with closer to 5 days should have a higher threshold for demonstrated commitment and leadership in the organization.
At least 2 semesters remaining at Middlebury. Candidates can earn the promotion after their 6th semester, but will not receive a jacket.
Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to leadership with MMC, which could include work as a guide in various disciplines, a role on the board, or other substantial contributions to the organization.
Exhibited long-term commitment to the organization, and intention to maintain this commitment after their attainment of Advanced Guide, a both a guide and teacher.
Facilitated at least one co-lead or one workshop to demonstrate commitment and capability in guide development.
Demonstrated distinct teaching capabilities and deep knowledge of MMC systems such that they can fulfill their role as an effective trainer, the primary responsibility of an Advanced Guide. Teaching capability can be recognized through engaging, mission-driven, dynamic, and confident leadership, which empowers other guides and participants to be learners and leaders with MMC.
