What is the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders?
The International Registry of Outdoor Leaders (IROL) is an online registry of portfolios for current and future professionals in the outdoor leadership industry. The IROL is the official forum for portfolio evaluation through institutions accredited by the WEA for the purpose of awarding Outdoor Leader Certification, Apprentice, or Instructor status to individuals.
The Role and Value of the IROL
The IROL is designed to provide:
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a place for individuals seeking Outdoor Leader Certification a place to develop their professional portfolios,
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a forum for Accredited institutions to evaluate those student portfolios to validate outdoor leader certification.
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a streamlined method for outdoor leaders and instructors to document Continuing Education Units to maintain their status.
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a platform for documenting outdoor leadership field experiences and training,
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a place for the WEA to manage the OL Certification and to monitor Accredited institutions for consistency in evaluation, and
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a place for individuals in the registry to continue developing their professional portfolio and share those contents with outside organizations when seeking professional advancement or new opportunities.
There are many online portfolio services on the market, but none that provide the focused service to the outdoor leadership industry. This is the first step in creating a centralized location for validating outdoor leaders across the country and beyond.
What are the levels in the IROL?
There are several levels within the IROL that an individual can achieve. The levels are described in described in detail in the Accreditation Manual that is available at on the WEA members page.
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Student Experience Inventory
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Outdoor Leader
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Apprentice
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Instructor Level I
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Instructor Level II
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Terminal
How can I Obtain a Portfolio in the IROL?
UPDATED 11/11
The IROL is open to any individual who wishes to develop an outdoor leadership portfolio. There are several avenues to obtaining your WEA IROL membership and portfolio.
On the WEA Website:
Individuals can apply for WEA IROL Membership on the WEA website.
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IROL New Portfolio Membership: First time registering in the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders? This is the membership level for you!
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IROL Renewing Portfolio Membership: If you already have an IROL portfolio, this is the membership option you will check on your membership renewal.
Once submitted, your application will be listed as 'pending' until approved by the National Office (w/in 2 business days). Upon approval by the National Office, your IROL portfolio will be activated for a 12 month period.
Through a WEA Accredited organizational member:
WEA Accredited organizational members can submit a roster to the WEA National Office to have a group of individuals added to the IROL at one time. If you are affiliated with a WEA Accredited Institution, please contact your organization's WEA representative to inquire about their next roster submission.
