OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP
Outdoor Leadership is a Grade 12 Ministry of Education 4 credit course which normally starts in grade 11 and concludes in 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 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. Trips include the amazing winter camping experiences, wilderness first aid training opportunities, hiking trips in Strathcona Park and kayaking trips in Clayoquot Sound.
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 leadership skills.
Note: If students miss the grade 11 trips due to illness, an alternate try-out opportunity will be arranged.
Course Progression: To complete the course, students need to successfully complete a try-out trip, an orientation session and three distinct 4-5 day courses/trips. 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
Trip 1) Winter term - one 4-day winter camping trip
Trip 2) Spring term - one 4-6 day sea kayaking expedition or coastal hiking trip
Trip 3) Fall term - Outdoor Leadership role on a September Grade 10 or 11 outtrip
COURSE FEE
There is a course fee of $900 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.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
When space permits, OL students may also complete additional OL trips and training throughout their grade 11 and 12 year. 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…) as well as helping with Junior and Middle School outdoor days.
2023/2024 TRIP DATES
Most of the OL trips run over long weekends or following term breaks to reduce the number of academic school days missed.
November Long Weekend Hiking trip: Nov 10, 11-14, 2023
Winter Camp 1: Jan 31-Feb 4, 2024
Winter Camp 2: Feb 14-18, 2024 (updated dates)
Winter Camp 4: Mar 14-18, 2024
Spring Trip 2 (Hiking Expedition): May 17 prep, May 18-21, 2024
Spring Trip 2 (Sea Kayaking Expedition): May 17 prep, May 18-21, 2024
Spring Trip 3 (Extended Sea Kayaking Expedition): June 16 prep, June 17-22, 2024
September/October 2024 outtrips
APPLICATION/REGISTRATION
In early October, after the grade 11 try-out outtrips, grade 11 students 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.