Whose standard is the industry standard in the outdoors?
The article examines the multitude of standards in the industry of outdoor recreation and highlights the problems and difficulties these multitudes cause for the industry. It is easier to follow best practices if the standards of care aren’t different. Which standard of practice are professionals supposed to follow? Determining the standard for the industry is critical to increasing professionalism, adjusting the perception of the outdoor industry, and transitioning from outdoor recreation positions, which are summer jobs, to roles that exemplify that of a career professional. The authors are calling for industry-wide guidelines for professional practice with minimum qualifications for each tier in the outdoor industry. While the field may not be ready, we should still do it.