Ontario Wilderness: 32-Day Outdoor Instructor Preparation

$ 8,500

+ Taxes

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Age 18-25

Dates

May 17 - Jun 17

Duration 32 days

Location Madawaska, Petawawa

Indigenous Territories Omàmìwininì Madaoueskarini Anishinaabekwe

Program Options Financial Assistance

Activities

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Courses / Ontario Wilderness: 32-Day Outdoor Instructor Preparation

Ontario Wilderness: 32-Day Outdoor Instructor Preparation

Level up your outdoor instructor game with Outward Bound Canada

This is the perfect course for you if you had a blast working as a camp counselor last summer and now want to build your skills as an outdoor instructor and canoe trip leader. You’ll learn the foundations of wilderness expeditions and the hard skills you need to be a confident and well-rounded outdoor leader – all while having lots of fun exploring the beautiful Spanish and Madawaska Rivers in Ontario.

You’ll improve your paddling skills and gradually take the lead in more challenging situations as you conquer rapids and participate in group activities with your fellow adventurers. By the end of this expedition, you’ll not only be a proven outdoor leader, but you’ll have made lifelong friendships and memories you’ll never forget.

Area & activities

The Spanish and Madawaska Rivers are popular destinations for backcountry canoeing. They meander through rugged landscapes and scenic forests where you may spot kingfishers, great blue herons and other wildlife. With their exciting whitewater rapids and calm flatwater sections, the rivers offer paddlers of all skill levels the opportunity to hone their technique and build their confidence in reading and navigating rivers.

The course begins at Outward Bound Canada’s wilderness base in Kinark, ON, where you’ll meet your group and prepare to explore the rivers. You’ll spend the first part of the trip on the Spanish River, then your group will return to the base to replenish supplies and head to the Madawaska River for the final part of the adventure.

As you explore these stunning rivers, you’ll learn and improve paddling techniques and rescue methods, and master valuable skills such as map reading and navigation, campcraft knowledge, and Leave No Trace ethics.You’ll also learn how to navigate critical risk management decisions, interpersonal dynamics, conflict resolution, and professional ethics in the outdoor field.

Don’t worry about gear: we have everything you need for the expedition, and you can also borrow personal items from our gear library if needed.

Learning outcomes

Our expert instructors will guide you through unique challenges that require your group to work together to solve problems, reflect on your journey, and discuss how to apply your skills and what you’ve learned when you return home.

The course is designed to have a lasting and measurable impact in three key areas:

Improved resilience – Improve your mental and physical health and learn how to overcome challenges to succeed.
Better leadership and teamwork skills – Learn the skills you need to succeed in school, work and life by becoming more confident, cooperative and a respectful team member.
Stronger connection to nature – Develop a lifelong relationship with nature.

Is this course right for me?

This course is for youth aged 18-25 and rated Level 3 for social-emotional challenge and Level 3 for physical challenge. Learn more about the levels of difficulty.

Participants should have experience paddling flatwaters and participating in canoe trips.

Solo experience

One of the highlights of Outward Bound expeditions is participating in a solo camping experience in nature. On this course, you may have the opportunity to sleep alone for up to two nights in a remote location, where you’ll set up shelter and take time to reflect. You’ll have all the supplies you need to sleep safely and comfortably, and your instructors will be nearby to help you if needed and check on you regularly.

The solo isn’t a wilderness survival challenge, but rather a supportive environment where you can take time for yourself away from the distractions of everyday life. While it may seem like a daunting challenge at first, it’s often the most impactful part of the course because you get an opportunity that few others will ever experience – to be in nature, in your own company.