Ontario College Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Education
Start Dates:
September 2020
Learn to plan and lead outdoor adventures, and provide educational and interpretive programming. Share your appreciation of the outdoors while you help others develop their skills and confidence.
Program Highlights
This two-year program starts with the same course content as the Outdoor Adventure Skills certificate program, adding a second year of courses that connect outdoor skills, the environment and education. In this diploma program, you will acquire additional certifications, facilitation skills, nature interpretation and adventure-based education strategies and techniques.
Trained outdoor leaders and facilitators offer safe and fun outdoor programs and activities that allow for skill development, while teaching an appreciation for the outdoors. These unique opportunities enable individuals or groups to stretch themselves physically, emotionally and socially in a supportive atmosphere. During this program, you will:
- Continue the outdoor skills training you were introduced to in year one; but, add further training opportunities in rock climbing, multi-day backpacking, edible wilds, snowshoeing, wilderness/primitive skills and Nordic skiing
- Obtain more certifications, such as Sea Kayaking Level 1, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Moving Water Level 1 (canoe)
- Take courses in facilitation skills and team building, essential communication skills, and customer service
- Gain increased proficiency in the use of maps, compass, GPS and backcountry cooking.
- Increase your nature-based identification skills and improve your ecological and environmental awareness.
One of the unique features of this program is the extensive number of provincial, national and international certifications that you can acquire. Certification is a verification process. A certifying body sets the criteria for acceptable standards. A service provider meets and tests for those standards before granting.
Program Mission Statement
We strive to provide a focused curriculum using outdoor experiential and traditional classroom techniques founded in sustainability, civic mindedness, self-esteem and respect for individual differences. We are able to meet the diverse needs of learners who enjoy alternative forms of learning and who wish to develop their leadership skills and foster a deeper connection to nature within others and themselves.
Field Camp
In semester three, fall field camp will enable you to apply your trip planning and leadership skills and participate in a multi-day sea kayak course and trip. You will organize and execute a winter field camp in semester four, including two nights out cold camping in improvised shelters, as well as wildlife identification and winter tracking activities.
Work Placement/International Study Trip
In the final semester, you have the choice of either completing a two-week work placement, or an international study trip. *
The work placement option enables you to obtain program-related experience in the public or private sector, with an outdoor adventure organization located in Canada, or internationally. You will apply your knowledge while gaining new insights and broadening your understanding of opportunities within the industry. You will seek and obtain a placement of your choice, to be approved by faculty.
The international study trip is a trip to Costa Rica, a mecca of adventure and ecotourism. The trip provides the opportunity to experience an international adventure tour operator from behind-the-scenes, combining learning expedition planning with front-line guide training. You will plan and participate in white water rafting, jungle trekking, sea kayaking and mountain biking trips, while learning guiding, risk management and menu planning skills.
*Placement hours are covered by tuition. However, if you choose to do an international study trip, extra fees are the responsibility of the student. These additional fees could include flights, program delivery, immunizations, accommodations, etc.
Career Opportunities
Upon graduation, you will be able to lead, facilitate and instruct children, youth and adults in a wide variety of activities in settings such as outdoor education centres, parks, camps, heritage sites, resorts, wilderness schools and outfitters. You will assist them to develop self confidence and achieve personal and group goals, while ensuring their personal safety. Opportunities include:
- Planning and leading youth camps and youth outdoor adventure learning experiences
- Planning and leading nature identification and interpretation programs
- Employment with private tour and guiding companies offering canoeing, kayaking, hiking, dogsledding and Nordic skiing trips and instruction.
Employment in the field of outdoor adventure often requires a clean criminal record.
Advanced Standing for Graduates
Graduates of the Fleming College Outdoor Adventure Skills program, and of other diploma programs at the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences are eligible for advanced standing entry to third semester of the Outdoor and Adventure Education program. Graduates of other similar college or university programs may also be eligible for advanced standing.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Outdoor and Adventure Education must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD with majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level including Gr 12 (E)English
Where Workplace level courses are listed, C, U and M courses will be accepted.
For programs requiring a majority of credits at the Workplace level, OLC4O will be counted as an acceptable English course.
Other program requirements:
- Prior to the start of first semester, students must obtain Standard First Aid and CPR level C certificates
- A Current Criminal Records Check (vulnerable sector included) is required before you can participate in one of the field experiences in semester two. This criminal record check is arranged by the organization providing the field experience, at no cost to the student. Please contact the coordinator if you have concerns about the criminal records check.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
Ontario Tech University
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
- Successful completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge program.
Transfer Credit
- 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- 18 credit diploma.
- Note: No transfer credits awarded.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Thompson Rivers University
Requirement
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
Transfer Credit
- 60 out of a 120 credit degree.
- Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.
To apply please see the EducationPlannerBC website.
For more information
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