OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP
Outdoor Leadership is a Grade 12 Ministry of Education 4 credit course which starts in early grade 11 and typically concludes in late spring of grade 11 or the fall of grade 12. It runs entirely outside the timetable (there are no regular academic class times) and it takes place entirely on trips.
COURSE FORMAT
The Outdoor Leadership course focusses on both technical outdoor skills and leadership development. Where possible, we also try to include opportunities for formal certification to help students build strong outdoor resumes filled with certifications as well as experiences. In many cases, this has helped students gain outdoor summer jobs and admission to universities. As an example, a number of students in recent OL grad classes are certified Level 1 Sea Kayak guides, have Paddle Canada and Wilderness First Aid certifications and have summer employment lined up in the outdoor industry!
Courses and training are offered throughout the school year, typically on long weekends and during longer school breaks. Examples of trips include: Winter camping in Manning or Strathcona Park, Wilderness first aid training, Hiking on the Juan de Fuca or Kludahk Trail, Sea Kayaking in Clayoquot Sound or Johnstone Strait.
Course Try Out: In the fall of grade 11, students try out for the Outdoor Leadership course during the 5-day away/overnight outtrips. Students who are successful in the try out are then invited to register for the OL course. Typically, all students who work hard to develop their outdoor skills and are positive and enthusiastic participants on their outtrip/try-out are successful. Students don’t need to be expert campers to take OL, but they do need to be committed to outdoor adventures and developing their skills.
Note: If students miss the grade 11 trips due to illness, an alternate try-out opportunity will be arranged. Those students should drop by the OED office in Crothall 124 and chat with Mr. Farish.
Course Progression: To complete the course, students need to successfully complete a try-out trip, fall orientation skills sessions/weekend, three 4-5 day courses/trips and three Junior/Middle School outdoor days. This represents ~120 hours of instruction. The final leadership component of the course also represents ~ 25 hours of service. We will offer a number of trips each term to allow students to find a trip that fits their schedule.
Typical course progression
September Grade 11 outtrip - Try out for the OL course
Late Sept/Early October - OL invitations/applications sent out to students
Trip 1) Fall term - Course orientation weekends or November Long Weekend skills sessions
JS Outdoor days (within the Grade 11 year) Leadership development practicum days. 3 days of programming with the JS OED.
Trip 2) Winter term - 4-day winter camping trip
Trip 3) Spring term - one 4-6 day sea kayaking expedition or coastal hiking trip
Trip 4) Late-Spring or Fall term in grade 12 - Outdoor Leader role on an outtrip with younger students
COURSE FEE
There is a course fee of $1000 to cover the costs associated with the trips and training. The course fee is billed to student accounts in the fall of their grade 11 year, once they have been accepted into the course.
Note: We are currently exploring offering additional extended expeditions in late June, after school closes. Trips could include a Haida Gwaii Sea Kayaking expedition. Due to the flights to Haida Gwaii and extended travel, this expedition would have a trip surcharge. Details tba.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
When space permits, OL students may also complete additional OL trips and training throughout their grade 11 and 12 year. This is in some ways similar to a “season pass”. We also hope that OL students will take part in some Outdoor Council weekend activities (SUP paddle days, Recreational ski/snowboard days, whitewater paddle days…).
JUNIOR SCHOOL OED Leadership Practicum: As part of their OL course, this practicum is intended to both build connections with the younger students and also help the OLs gain practical experience. This would typically include three 1/2-days over the course of the year with a Junior School class and then also a full day program with a grade. Example: Grade 3 Goldstream Salmon Run day in the fall and a 1/2 day each term with a grade 3 class on their outdoor days.
PROPOSED 2025/2026 TRIP DATES
Most of the OL trips run over long weekends or following term breaks to reduce the number of academic school days missed.
Course try-out (Grade 11 Outtrip):
Sept 13-17, 2025
OL Orientation sessions:
Oct 15, 17 or 21 (5:30-8:00 pm)
OL Technical Skills Sessions:
Oct 25, Nov 1 and 2
or
Nov 8, 9 and 10
Winter Camps
January Winter Camp: Jan 23-27, 2026 (at the end of term 3) or
February Winter Camp: Feb 12-16, 2026 (term 4 over the long weekend)
OL Wilderness First Aid course:
dates tba
Spring trips
April Spring Trip: April 1- April 6, 2026 (at the very end of Spring Break)
May Spring Trip: May 15-19, 2026 (in term 5 over the May long weekend)
June Spring Trip: June 20-27, 2026 (Extended SK expedition in the week after school finishes)
Final leadership trips
Assorted dates in spring 2026 or fall 2026
APPLICATION/REGISTRATION
In late-September/early-October, after the grade 11 try-out outtrips, successful grade 11 OL candidates will receive an email invitation to apply to join the OL course. This email includes a student application and details about the trip options. Once a student completes the student application, additional information and a course permission form will be emailed to parents. Prior to each trip, parents/guardians will be required to complete a trip-specific permission form.
