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Robbie Tesar shares lessons he learned about wilderness and his thoughts on the future of the outdoor education program at Vermont Academy. Vermont Academy history teacher Robbie Tesar has a long-standing love affair with the outdoors and a potent desire to share his enthusiasm with others. To this end, Robbie took a leave of absence from VA during the fall semester to attend the National Outdoor Leadership School, or NOLS, in the Utah wilderness. NOLS defines wilderness as “a place where nature is dominant and situations and their consequences are real.” This definition became frighteningly clear to Robbie when what began as a casual crossing of a muddy riverbed on a sunny afternoon quickly turned into a 13-hour test of patience, the power of community, and the strength of the human spirit. Robbie’s passion for the outdoors can be traced to a summer spent at Keewaydin as a eighth grader in 2000. After his freshman year in college, he wanted to go back as a counselor. “My freshman year was tough. I needed to spend the summer doing something for myself.” He applied for a job and worked as an assistant to two other staff members. “The Keewaydin experience changed my life. It made me feel a lot happier about myself, more confident. It helped me realize that I wanted to teach and be involved
with kids. Tom Oxholm (then director of development) helped me get my job at VA.” Robbie has returned to camp every summer since. Last summer, he led some of the most senior campers through a 38-day canoe trip on the remote rivers of Quebec, covering over 400 miles. “We put in at Lac Icebound, which is a twoand-a-half-day drive from civilization, way back on Hydro Quebec roads. We paddled south on the East Main River to Lac Mistassini. It was incredible. I love traveling by canoe.” Robbie realized that although he was well versed in canoe travel, he would need a broader base of knowledge to truly be a leader in the outdoors. “I wanted to prepare to be more involved with the outdoor program at VA. NOLS gives you a foundation in outdoor leadership, with lots of time spent in backcountry camping. My background is in canoe trips; I had never done much with rock climbing or backpacking, and I wanted that fullness to create opportunities for students in different areas. I wanted to learn the vocabulary.” Head of School Sean Brennan readily agreed to Robbie’s request for a leave of absence, and Robbie, in keeping with VA’s theme for the year, “took a healthy risk” and headed to Utah. >
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