Outdoor Adventure - Program Overview

Summary

Jeff Jackson, coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College, introduces the 2-year diploma that prepares students to become skilled adventure guides. The program offers a customizable education with two pathways: Whitewater or Flatwater skills training, including rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Students also gain business management experience. Graduates pursue careers in nature education, guiding, and tourism across various sectors. The program culminates in two major projects: a business proposal and an advanced expedition. A pre-course 'Readiness Camp' offers an introduction to the program's outdoor skills and elective options, ensuring students are prepared for their adventure education journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Outdoor Adventure Program at Algonquin College offers a 2-year diploma designed to train adventure guides for global careers in the outdoor sector.
• 😀 The program has been successfully running for over 25 years, with graduates excelling in various adventure-based fields.
• 😀 Students begin with a fall camp that provides hands-on training in both Flatwater and Whitewater courses, offering an immersive start to their learning journey.
• 😀 There are two primary pathways to choose from in the first semester: the Whitewater pathway (rafting, kayaking, river rescue) and the Flatwater pathway (canoeing, paddleboarding).
• 😀 The program offers flexibility through elective courses, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific career goals.
• 😀 A key component of the curriculum is business training, preparing students for future roles in managing adventure businesses or guiding teams.
• 😀 Graduates have a wide range of career opportunities, including roles in nature education, high adventure guiding, expedition guiding, and outdoor tourism.
• 😀 The program includes culminating projects: a business proposal project and an advanced expedition planning and execution project.
• 😀 The Advanced Expedition project involves planning and leading an outdoor trip, which includes budgeting, emergency response planning, and real-world execution.
• 😀 A **Readiness Camp** allows prospective students to get a feel for the program, meet instructors, and engage in outdoor activities like rafting before the official start of the semester.

Q & A

What is the duration of the Outdoor Adventure Program at Algonquin College?

The Outdoor Adventure Program is a two-year diploma training program.

How long has Algonquin College been offering the Outdoor Adventure Program?

Algonquin College has been offering the program for over 25 years.

What are the two main pathways offered in the first semester of the program?

The two main pathways are the Whitewater Pathway and the Flatwater Pathway.

What types of courses are included in the Whitewater Pathway?

The Whitewater Pathway includes Whitewater raft guide training, river rescue training, and whitewater kayaking.

What types of courses are included in the Flatwater Pathway?

The Flatwater Pathway includes courses such as flatwater canoe skills, paddleboarding, and flatwater canoe trips.

What is the Fall Camp in the first semester?

The Fall Camp is a week-long, immersive outdoor skills training experience where students participate in introductory courses for both whitewater and flatwater activities.

What culminating projects do students complete at the end of the program?

Students complete two major culminating projects: a business proposal focused on an opportunity in the outdoor tourism sector and an advanced expedition where they plan and execute a trip.

What is the purpose of the business proposal project?

The business proposal project allows students to build, create, and present a comprehensive business plan for a potential opportunity in the adventure or nature tourism sector.

What is the Advanced Expedition project, and how does it work?

In the Advanced Expedition project, students form a group, plan a trip including location and activities, create a comprehensive plan with budget, and then execute the trip while managing logistics, safety, and expenses.

What is the Readiness Camp, and who is it for?

The Readiness Camp is a pre-course orientation held at the Ottawa River Rafting Resort, designed to prepare students by introducing them to instructors, fellow students, and the program's pathways, before the official start of the semester.