The Leadership Development Training (LDT) was created for students to lead and serve their peers in the field of outdoor recreation. 

The Outdoor Connection Center selects trip leaders based on the following criteria:
Currently employed by the Outdoor Connection Center
Meets all requirements defined in the OCC Trip Leader Job Description
Maintains current Wilderness First Aid/First Responder Certification
Attends required number of Leadership Development Training Courses per semester
Demonstrates competency in all skills necessary to the activity begin lead through a practical evaluation administered by the Director and/or Graduate Assistant
Trip leader has visited and is familiar with the activity location
Trip leader demonstrates competency in group facilitation, decision making processes, and technical skills necessary to the trip or activity  

All criteria must be met in order to lead or co-lead OCC trips and activities.  Prior to trip or activity assignment, all trip leaders must shadow the Assistant Director, Graduate Assistant, or current trip leader on the trip being assigned.  All trip and activity assignments are at the sole discretion of the Assistant Director or Graduate Assistant.  Meeting all recommended criteria does not guarantee trip and/or activity assignment.

Compensation:
Trip leading is a component of the OCC that has the greatest reward (personal development, lifelong memories, lasting friendships, etc), requires the most energy and time and pays the least. The trip program is a completely separate entity from all other OCC offered programs. The trip program has to make money or break even, there is no state or student funds allocated to the offered trips. Trip compensation includes: monetary units, backcountry meals (most of the time), trip registration fee waived, and workers compensation in the case of a personal injury. All unity pay contracts must be signed prior to trip.  The outline below describes monetary compensation: