Outdoor Adventure Skills

 

Do you love the outdoors?

 

Program Highlights

This two-semester certificate program is designed for those who love the outdoors and want to hone their skills, to train and certify prospective adventure tourism employees, and provide specialization for tourism or recreation students. You can obtain several certifications in this one program, in one timeframe, at one location. To obtain these certifications would ordinarily require travel all across Ontario, throughout the year. Certifications include:

• Canoeing and kayaking
• Indoor Rock Wall Climbing
• Bronze Cross/Medallion
• GPS and Wilderness navigation
• Wilderness First Aid
• Ontario Hike Leader
• Boat Operator Training

These certifications, combined with trip planning, risk management, group and customer service abilities, are an attractive skill set to employers. You will have some choice in determining which certifications to pursue, based on your interest and on availability. Two field camps, in Fall and Winter, will give you the opportunity to really hone your teamwork and leadership skills - essential requirements for successful outdoor expeditions. As well, you will get a chance to participate in activities such as mountain biking, high ropes courses, winter camping, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, luging and dog sledding. A visit to a canoe builder, canoe museum and outdoor education centre will be included in the program. In this program, you will spend almost as much time outdoors as inside the classroom, with three days of classes and two days of adventure skills and certifications training per week. You will develop professional skills while you experience personal growth and gain a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and the environment.

Upon graduation, you may decide to seek employment or to continue your education in a related program such as Fish and Wildlife Technician, Recreation and Leisure Services, or Tourism and Travel. You will gain exemptions in these Fleming College Diploma programs for some of the courses that you completed in the Outdoor Adventure Skills program.

 

Career Opportunities

Some of the career opportunities include working for traditional and non-traditional adventure tourism outlets and in partnership with travel operators and other segments of the tourism industry. You might also find employment with recreational facilities, government agencies, parks, marine facilities, resorts, outdoor education centres or specialty outdoor equipment stores.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

 

• OSSD with the majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level, including English.

When Workplace (E) is the minimum course level for admission, (C) and (U/C) courses are also accepted. 

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

Other Requirements

Students must obtain Standard First Aid and CPR level C certificates by the end of first semester.

 

Selection Process

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Certification and Training I	75.00
Ecosystem Skills	60.00
Fall Field School	52.00
Introduction to Adventure Tourism	45.00
Trip Planning	45.00
Semester 2
Certification and Training II	60.00
Customer Service Skills	45.00
Outdoor Adventure Leadership	45.00
Outdoor Adventure Risk Management	45.00
Winter Activities Field School	52.00
General Education Elective

Semester 1

Professional Portfolio Development

Course Number: GNED033

Get the Work You Want! This course will assist post-secondary students to locate and win positions they want in the workplace. The use and development of a professional portfolio will be emphasized. Through career analysis self-assessment, goal setting, and portfolio development participants will improve their ability to link their skills and knowledge to appropriate career positions. The basics of job searching will be enhanced with sessions on electronic resume posting, web site searches, and online job links. Participants will complete this course with the foundation of a professional portfolio and the knowledge to find the work they want.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Certification and Training I

Course Number: APST075

In this course, students will experience training in several adventure skills and skills for the outdoors. Students will also have the opportunity to receive certifications in the following: ORCA Flatwater Canoe certification (16 hours), GPS (7 hours), Wilderness Survival (7 hours), Hike Leader (7 hours), Basic First Aid and CPR (16 hours) and Boat Operator Training (10 hours). Course will include field trips to outdoor adventure facilities.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Ecosystem Skills

Course Number: ECOS013

This course will focus on three areas of study: identification, field and lab skills. Students will identify and classify the living and non-living components of the specific ecosystems described in the Ecology and Environment (ENVR 20) course. Field skills to be developed include the ability to navigate through the natural environment and use a variety of ecosystem inventory techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on safe work habits in lab and field.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Fall Field School

Course Number: APST076

In this course, students will learn and have an opportunity to experience skills related to successful outdoor adventure participation. Students will be given a chance to apply planning and leadership skills as they relate to proper clothing selection, personal hygiene, group dynamics, risk management and food organization and preparation using fire and stove. The students will be given an opportunity to complete their ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking certification and given an experience and training in whitewater kayaking, low and high cable course elements and other outdoor skills.

Units: 52.00
Hours: 52.00

Introduction to Adventure Tourism

Course Number: TOUR041

This course provides an overview of tourism and trend in Adventure and Eco-Tourism. Students will explore the history, sectors, trends, challenges and ethical dilemmas of Adventure tourism and the factors that influence this area. Future directions in the industry are also highlighted.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Trip Planning

Course Number: TOUR039

In this course, students will learn some of the skills required for a successful outdoor adventure expedition including strategies related to gear preparation, selection and organization, route planning, map reading skills, minimal impact camping techniques, clothing selection, menu planning and food preparation. Students will also have the opportunity learn about the business of outdoor adventure skills through guest speakers from the adventure industry. Field experiences will provide opportunities for practice and assessment of practical outdoor trip planning skills.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Certification and Training II

Course Number: APST078

This course includes several opportunities for students to develop and experience several activities that can be done indoors that will assist with outdoor activities. Students will be able to attain certifications in Bronze Cross Life Saving. In addition, Wilderness First Aid certification will be offered as well as field trips to outdoor centres for training opportunities in winter adventure skills.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Customer Service Skills

Course Number: MKTG095

In this course, students will learn how to provide excellent customer services for work as adventure skills trainers, adventure business or tourism employees. Topics include basic customer service skills, etiquette, diversity, conflict resolution, dealing with customer concerns and complaints and how to deal with difficult clients.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Outdoor Adventure Leadership

Course Number: TOUR042

In this course, students learn personal and interpersonal skills to lead in the adventure travel industry. Students examine leadership theory and issues, acquire group management tools and apply this knowledge to the area of adventure tourism. Self-awareness and developing sound leadership judgement will be emphasized. Outdoor skill teaching and group facilitation are other key skills developed through experiential applications in class and outdoors.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Outdoor Adventure Risk Management

Course Number: TOUR040

This course introduces theoretical and practical applications to dealing with risk in the outdoor adventure industry. Accident theory, the concepts of perceived and inherent risk and negligence are studied. Risk identification, mitigation, managing emergency response and documentation are covered from the guide's perspective. The Canadian legal system, liability, waivers and releases and insurance will be looked at from the business perspective.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Winter Activities Field School

Course Number: APST077

In this course, students will learn more details around planning for a winter camping experience including menu planning and food preparation, special considerations and risks of winter camping. This experiential credit provides an opportunity for development of winter skills including shelter building, dressing for winter activity, traditional winter travel, outdoor cooking and menu planning. The camp could include: winter camping, survival simulation, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and dog-sledding.

Units: 52.00
Hours: 52.00