Outdoor Adventure Naturalist (Co-op and Non Co-op Version)

Prepare for an exhilarating career in nature, adventure or ecotourism sectors. The two-year Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Ontario College Diploma program, delivered in a compressed format over 43 weeks, is the perfect choice for anyone interested in working as a professional in the adventure/ecotourism sector, and guiding and educating clients through interpretation of natural environments. It has been created with our partner, Wilderness Tours, Canada`s largest outdoor adventure company. As a student, you spend more than 550 hours completing field study and practical skills training in outdoor settings/classrooms. Explore areas such as:

• river touring (kayak touring and gentle rafting)
• no-trace camping and wilderness travel skills
• cross-country cycle touring
• flatwater canoeing
• astronomy
• winter camping skills
• tracking
• wildlife viewing
• photography
• wild edible plants
• birding

Complete extended activity skills training sessions and take on several expeditions - the last being self-executed. The program`s curriculum also includes business courses in interpretive media, risk management, financial management and marketing to enhance your career options and pathways. Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date. Benefit from the opportunity to pursue a paid cooperative (co-op) work term. Qualified students with a minimum GPA of 2.7 have the opportunity to pursue co-op offered at the end of the second term. Obtain several industry-related certifications such as:

• Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) Wild Educator Facilitator
• IMBA Canada Cycle Tour Leader
• Paddle Canada Flatwater Canoe Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Paddle Canada Level II Skills Sea Kayaking

Upon graduation, you are ready for an exciting, in-demand career. Be prepared to work as:

• nature and heritage interpreters
• nature or ecotourism guides
• program managers

Graduates may also pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in the nature/adventure/ecotourism sectors.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Enjoy a hands-on approach to learning about the outdoor adventure tourism industry.
• Are concerned about Social Economic and Environmental (SEE) sustainability and want to personally learn more about SEE sustainability in the Outdoor Adventure Tourism industry.
• Are committed to guiding and teaching others in a variety of environments.
• Are interested in learning the skills and abilities required to become an Interpretive/Nature based guiding professional.