OUTDOOR SKILLS COURSES
Introduction to Wilderness First Aid
This program is an excellent introduction to wilderness emergency care. The program's goal is to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills to adapt standard first aid techniques to the demands of remote locations. This 18 hour program includes certification in the administration of injectable epinephrine for anaphylactic reactions. In conjunction with the anaphylactic focus, other environmental emergencies will be covered. Improvisation skills will be developed through a simulation with theatrical make-up and video feedback. Friday 6-10 pm Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 5 pm. At McMaster. Click here for more information!
A 36-hour course that prepares you for emergency situations in a wilderness setting. It is a complete introduction to wilderness medicine and the following medical protocols: ana-kit and epi pen injections, wound management, and modified CPR protocol. It is designed for people who work and travel in less remote areas and assistant leaders on back country trips. Certification from Wilderness Medical Associates. Held at McMaster. Click here for more information!
Wilderness First Responder Bridge Course
A course for graduates of Wilderness Advanced First Aid who want to upgrade to Wilderness First Responder. This comprehensive course reviews concepts learned in earlier courses and builds on previous knowledge to cover a new range of wilderness medical issues.
Wilderness Survival and Emergency Preparation
This wilderness survival course introduces participants to the vital components of preventative survival, ie. proper planning, notification of authorities survival kits, gear and clothing. Participants will review case studies and look at the psychology of wilderness ordeals. Specific skills will be taught in a hands-on-fashion. They include the priorities of the survival situation, map and compass skills, shelter construction, fire-building, signaling and foraging for food. Click here for more information!
Introduction to Winter Travel & Camping
This course teaches skiers and backpackers the skills needed for safe, enjoyable winter camping. An introductory workshop and skill session provides the basics such as the selection of winter camping equipment and how to stay warm during all winter conditions. Click here for more information!
Swiftwater Rescue Technician
This course highlights the evolution of low to high risk rescue techniques and emphasizes self, team and victim rescue. You will be taught to understand the dynamics of moving water, how to handle swiftwater hazards and obstacles, how to effectively use throwbags, control in-water contact rescues, set up technical rope systems, utilize more advanced rescue equipment and much more. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the incident command structure thoughout rescue simulations.
Outdoor Leadership and Group Dynamics
This workshop is designed to teach group leaders the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy group atmosphere, techniques for establishing clear goals and expectations within a trip group, and the subtleties of group dynamics. Topics include leadership styles, team building skills, peer leadership, and conflict resolution. This workshop is essential for anyone who leads groups in the wilderness or other adventurous settings. Upon completion of the workshop a certificate will be awarded.
Managing Risk in Outdoor Recreation
This workshop is designed to help trip leaders recognize, assess, manage, and avoid situations of potential risk in remote settings. Topics include risk management theory, key concepts and methods of pro-active and reactive risk management, case studies such as the infamous Lake Temiskaming incident, legal responsibilities of trip leaders including liability and trip planning. This workshop is essential for any individual who lead groups of travel independently in wilderness settings. Upon completion of the workshop, a certificate will be awarded.
Hike Ontario Standard Hike Leader
Basic Hike Leader is aimed at group hike leaders who typically want to develop leadership skills for leading day hikes from 5 to 20km along blazed hiking trails in Ontario. Topics include: group dynamics, hike planning, risk avoidance, leadership and trail etiquette. This course includes a certification from Hike Ontario, our provinces keenest community hiking organization. Course includes Hike Ontario manual.
ORCKA Tripping I
Intro to canoe tripping for those with little or no canoe experience. Participants learn theory during two evening classes before spending a weekend paddling in Algonquin Park. Participants plan and pack all food and equipment for a two-night trip, paddle, portage, select and set up campsites, learn knots, use maps and compasses and cook meals over an open fire. Certification from ORCKA.
ORCKA Tripping II
This course builds on skills learned in Level 1 and teaches new theories, enhancing leadership abilities and providing participants with the tools to teach canoe tripping to others. There is a strong emphasis on leadership, risk management and teaching styles and techniques. There is a prerequisite for this course -candidates must have completed 25 nights of wilderness canoe tripping totalling a distance of 500km, at least six canoe trips in which the candidate was responsible for some of the organization and at least one wilderness canoe trip of five days or more. Certification from ORCKA for qualified participants
Kayaking Course - Beginner Level
This 9 week course taught by instructors from the McMaster Whitewater Club is for people who've had little or no instruction in kayaking. In this class, you'll learn the basics, such as how to properly grip the paddle, how to enter and exit the boat, and how to wet exit. You'll also learn the basic strokes such as the forward stroke, the sweep stroke, low and high braces, the duffek and more. Finally, students are taught some combination strokes which can be used on the river. Included as part of the beginner kayaking course are access to weekly open sessions and a river theory and water dynamics session, intended to prepare beginners for paddling on rivers.
Kayaking Course - Rolling Clinic
Three hours of kayaking instruction by instructors from the McMaster Whitewater Club (1 hr / week for 3 weeks). This concentrated clinic will teach you how to roll in 3 short hours. You don't need any previous experience to take this course. This course includes access to weekly open sessions.
Team Development Facilitator
This 2 day workshop will teach participants to apply their leadership skills to low ropes initiatives as well as McMaster University's Team Development Course. Participants will learn how to safely and effectively lead low ropes course activities. They will then be introduced to the technical and programmatic aspects of leading and supervising low ropes activities; will practice efficient presentation skills; debriefing methods and theory; and will learn about the industry's popular Adventure Facilitation Learning Model.
Assistant Alpine Tower Instructor
This 20 hour workshop will teach participants to apply their teambuilding skills to the ropes course. Students will start by learning how to safely and effectively lead high ropes course activities. They will then be introduced to the technical and programmatic aspects of leading and supervising high ropes activities; learning and practicing skills in knot tying, belaying, operational procedures and equipment use and care. Emphasis will be placed on the acquisition of safe techniques and attitudes for ropes course instruction. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes, dress for the weather, pack and lunch and water. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion from AdventureWorks, one of only two High Ropes certifying organizations in Ontario .
