Outdoor Adventure Naturalist (Co-op and Non Co-op Version) at Algonquin College

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, 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, marketing and financial and small business management 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.

Obtain several industry-related certifications such as:

• Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) Wild Educator Facilitator
• Cycle Tour Guide
• Paddle Canada Intermediate Lake Skills and/or Introduction Lake Tandem or Solo Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Paddle Canada Level I or II Sea Kayak Skills
• Heritage Interpreter Certification
• Leave No Trace (LNT) Master Educator

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
• entrepreneurs

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.

Careers

To meet the expressed industry needs of provincial, national and international adventure tourism, parks and education centres, graduates are trained and prepared to work as nature and heritage interpreters, nature or ecotourism guides, program managers and/or entrepreneurs. They also meet the professional standards established by the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council Heritage Interpreter program.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Create risk management systems, consistent with best practices, that assess risk and exposure, manage liability and provide a safe and sustainable environment for clients, staff and resources.
2. Provide leadership through the professional application of risk, group and time management skills.
3. Develop the conceptual framework necessary to consistently identify and interpret ecological concepts, plants, trees, wildlife, constellations and other naturally occurring phenomenon.
4. Plan, market, deliver and evaluate sustainable nature based interpretive programming for a variety of domestic and international clients.
5. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
6. Display the technical skills required for employment through the acquisition of industry recognized certifications.
7. Identify and develop business, marketing, management and financial strategies to capitalize on opportunities in the nature, interpretive and eco/sustainable tourism segment of the outdoor adventure industry.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
• Mathematics, Grade 12 (MAP4C or equivalent).
• Prior to registration in the program, accepted applicants must:
  1. Provide proof of current Standard First Aid certification (with C Level CPR).
  2. Sign and submit an Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Program Assumption of Risk and Indemnifying Release form (form available online on the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist website).
  3. Submit Applicant Personal Information, Consent and Health Form supplied by Algonguin College.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and mathematics.