For the first piece in our Outward Bound California Instructor Spotlight, I had the opportunity to interview the vivacious and poised Assistant Instructor, Holly Lehr.
Hi Holly! Let’s start with the basics–How long have you been working for Outward Bound California?
I was just trained last winter, so about six months. I am on my 5th course this year. I am an Assistant Instructor, and to become a Lead Instructor its just a matter of experience. The co-instructor dynamic as it looks to student is more equal, but the Lead Instructor has more experience and is also mentoring the Assistant Instructor as the course goes on.
It is known that Instructors come from all over the world to work for Outward Bound. Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Los Angeles. I lived in Wisconsin for a good stint, and now I am living in Berkeley. I adore it. It reminds me of Madison, Wisconsin in that it feels like a college town and is friendly and green.
How has your career path brought you to Outward Bound California?
I started working at a really young age. I was hired at 14 as a hostess at Outback Steakhouse and have been in the restaurant business ever since. I work at Joshu-ya Brasserie in Berkeley when I am not co-instructing a course. That’s mainly how I’ve been able to support myself since becoming an adult human. I am pretty new in terms of Outdoor Education. I started with a NOLS [National Outdoor Leadership School] semester and made the choice to take a long break from traditional schooling which gave me a ton of experience and insight and inspired me to pursue Outdoor Ed as a career choice.
What made you decide to change paths?
I was ready to learn technical skills, which I got, for sure. I learned how to sail–I’d never been on a sailboat in my life! I didn’t have a whole lot of outdoor experience before that–until NOLS, I had only been backpacking with my family a handful of times. I immediately signed up to get my WFR [Wilderness First Responder] because I looked up to my instructors so much, I said “I wanna do that!”. I became certified and I found a job that following summer at a camp in Northern Wisconsin, where I was leading river canoe trips and lake-to-lake portage canoeing, It was so much fun. That style of travel has a rich history with fur trappers, which is such an obscure part of American history. Looking for a change, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and happened to find Outward Bound California after about a month and half.
What do you think is the best part of your job? 
Learning along with the students who are learning. We’re called instructors, but we’re pretty much just providing the framework and we are just as much on the ride as the students. And I love that. I also love seeing students start to care for one another on course, then realizing how close they’ve gotten, and finally intentionally acting on their appreciation and admiration for their crew mates.
What’s the hardest part?
Getting up early? I like to sleep.
When have you felt inspired on course?
One backpacking course in Henry Coe State Park comes to mind. There was one student who was particularly struggling with the hikes more than the other students, and without myself or my co-instructor saying anything, the rest of the crew took a considerable amount of weight out of their pack and distributed it among the group. It was the perfect image of compassion on course and they are all going to remember that moment, and find other moments to take the weight of off other people in their lives. And the student that had his pack lightened, is going to remember that he was supported and there will be times when he can be a supporter and that it is totally fine to be supported and that he finished with just as much accomplishment as everyone else.
What do you hope for in your future? What do you see?
I want to keep working and gaining experience within Outward Bound. It has also been on my radar to go back to school–learning is deeply satisfying to me. I’d study creative writing. I have been internally debating whether or not to get a degree in Outdoor Education since all of the theory I would learn I am getting hands-on experience while working for Outward Bound California, which is more my learning style anyways. When I do go back to school, I can use that to pursue another side of myself and be a multi-dimensional person. 
What is it like being a woman in the Outdoor Education industry?
Well, I haven’t been a male instructor so I can’t really compare…Seriously though, it is fun to tell people that I do something for a living that isn’t generally expected. I felt the same way when I was the only female bike delivery person at a sandwich shop in Madison. I feel very supported by all of my co-instructors, male and female.
What would you tell a prospective student if they were concerned about coming on course?
Everyone will be nice to you, and its a big deal for us as instructors to create positive group culture. We understand that some of the small details that are part of being in the back country will not be comfortable, but the point isn’t to be comfortable. The point is to grow. Maybe you might not ever want to eat a Bickie ever again by the end of your course and that’s fine. When its all over, you can look back and know you did it. Whatever your future challenges look like, after you complete the course, you’ll know you can handle it.
What makes you special?
My sense of humor and giggliness [Insert giggle here]. In the outdoor world, I think my connection to city life makes me unique. I talked to another instructor about this, and he only works for Outward Bound. He travels around, base to base, finding work, and what I’ve worked out instructing for Outward Bound in the Bay Area, I can keep my side job in Berkeley, and my group of friends, and I get to take my “vacations” where I am actually working with Outward Bound every month. I get to live this double life. I think more people in this industry are more interested in the base to base lifestyle, it might be because home roots don’t appeal to them, or they want to be devoted to their work in the wilderness. Looking long term, that’s where I am headed. Thinking about the Service Bus and being fully committed–knowing Outward Bound California is growing and that if I stick around, I could be busier. For now, this lifestyle works for me.
We all know how dedicated Outward Bound instructors are to their craft, but what are your hobbies outside of work?
Yoga! Going out dancing! For a while I went to music festivals in the summer and hula-hooped. I sadly abandoned my hoops when I moved! Now I am on a dodgeball team–Go Dirty Dodging!
