Faculty Spotlight – Scott Fraser

We are proud to spotlight Scott Fraser, Outdoor Leadership Instructor at Washington County Community College. Scott has built the Outdoor Leadership program from the ground up, launching it in 2002 in response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the outdoor recreation industry. With decades of experience in education, guiding, and outdoor adventure, Scott has helped shape a program that combines leadership, technical skills, and personal growth through immersive outdoor experiences.

Before coming to WCCC, Scott was a sea kayaking guide in Bar Harbor and worked at ski mountains in Colorado and New Mexico, further deepening his connection to the outdoor environment and the adventure tourism industry. When he returned to Maine, Scott taught at Shead High School for six years where he taught a boatbuilding course and built canoes and kayaks with students and started an outdoor club. He also worked at the Boat School in Eastport.

 

A Day in Scott’s Role 

Scott’s favorite part of teaching is helping students discover their own path in life. Many students enter the program knowing they love the outdoors but are unsure how to turn that passion into a career. Scott enjoys opening their eyes to the many opportunities available within the outdoor recreation and adventure tourism industries.

He believes life becomes more meaningful when you truly love what you do, and he is passionate about helping students find meaningful careers connected to the outdoors.

Scott’s own journey reflects that philosophy. He initially went to school for architecture before realizing it was not the right path for him. That experience helps him connect with students who may still be figuring out where they belong and what they want their future to look like.

 

What Makes Scott’s Program Stand Out

Maine’s outdoor environment provides the ideal setting for studying Outdoor Leadership, and Scott has intentionally designed the program to be deeply hands-on, immersive, and transformative.

One of the program’s greatest strengths is its small class size, which allows students to receive individualized instruction while building strong relationships with classmates and instructors. Students learn both technical outdoor skills and leadership development through challenging real-world experiences.

A defining part of the program is the multi-day expeditions that push students beyond their comfort zones while allowing them to learn technical skills and helping them grow together as a team. Students participate in a seven-day sea kayaking expedition, a five-day backpacking expedition, a four-day winter expedition, a four-day rock-climbing expedition, and a seven-day whitewater canoeing expedition. These experiences challenge students academically, emotionally, physically, and mentally while building resilience, confidence, and leadership skills.

Students also have access to the Outdoor Adventure Center, which serves as the program’s “pack out” room. This is where students organize and store gear for trips, prepare meals, and learn the logistics of expedition planning. Students are expected to understand budgeting, meal preparation, and calorie planning to ensure they stay energized during their adventures.

The Outdoor Leadership students also help operate the center itself. All students and staff at WCCC can sign out outdoor equipment through the facility, giving Outdoor Leadership students valuable experience learning how to manage and operate a rental shop.

The program includes two classrooms, one traditional indoor classroom and one outdoor classroom, along with a ropes course and access to the rock-climbing wall inside the St. Croix Gym, which is available for student use one night each week.

 

Program Outcomes and Opportunities

The Outdoor Leadership program was created in response to the increasing demand for qualified outdoor professionals within the outdoor recreation industry. Students can choose from two concentrations, Adventure Recreation and Tourism, and Adventure Therapy.

The Adventure Recreation and Tourism concentration equips students with leadership skills for careers in the fast-growing fields of outdoor recreation and adventure tourism. The Adventure Therapy concentration focuses on preparing students to provide frontline support services in adventure-based and nature-based therapeutic programs.

The program balances theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. Students gain skills in leadership, expedition planning, environmental stewardship, recreation management, and risk management.

Scott explains the structure of the program simply. The first year focuses on learning how to take care of yourself in challenging environments, while the second year focuses on learning how to take care of others in challenging environments while stepping into expanded leadership roles.

Graduates may pursue careers as adventure tourism guides, tour operators, parks interpreters, recreation coordinators, outdoor educators, and Maine guides in sea kayaking, recreation, hunting, and fishing.

Scott’s Journey in His Field

Scott has always been passionate about the outdoors and experiences that are “human powered.” Whether sailing during the summer, planning his next adventure, or embracing spontaneous opportunities to explore, he finds joy in movement, nature, and adventure.

He especially enjoys waking up early and hearing the sounds of nature in the morning, moments that continue to inspire both his personal life and his teaching philosophy.

Over the years, Scott has combined his experiences in education, guiding, and expedition leadership to create a program that gives students both practical skills and life-changing experiences.

Outside of the Classroom

Outside of teaching, Scott enjoys sailing, exploring the outdoors, and planning future adventures. He values spontaneity and believes some of the best experiences happen when people are willing to step outside of their comfort zones.

His passion for the outdoors extends far beyond recreation. For Scott, outdoor experiences build confidence, leadership, resilience, and self-awareness, lessons he hopes every student carries with them long after graduation.

Three Words to Describe Scott

Adventurous, Supportive, Passionate.

Looking Toward the Future

Scott is excited about the future of the Outdoor Leadership program because he believes the outdoor industry is increasingly becoming a major part of Maine’s economy and gaining the recognition it deserves.

He continues to guide students who may not yet know exactly where they want to go, but who know they love the outdoors. One of his favorite parts of teaching is helping students discover the many achievable and rewarding career paths available through the knowledge and experiences gained in the program.

Scott’s advice for prospective students is simple: come prepared to be challenged academically, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Be willing to take risks, embrace discomfort, and push beyond your limits.

He believes that growth happens when students challenge themselves, and the Outdoor Leadership program is designed to help them do exactly that in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Thank You, Scott! 

Thank you, Scott, for your dedication to experiential education and for building a program that has inspired generations of outdoor leaders. Your passion for adventure, leadership, and student growth continues to create life-changing opportunities for students at WCCC.