Ottawa Valley (Pembroke)

Our Program

This two-year Ontario College Diploma program, delivered in a compressed format over 47 weeks is partnered with Wilderness Tours (Canada's largest outdoor adventure company) and provides the training, practical skills and tourism industry experience to satisfy the provincial, national and international demand for skilled interpreters, nature and ecotourism guides. Appealing to individuals interested in working outdoors, guiding clients and interpreting their natural surroundings, the program focuses on nature and heritage interpretation, outdoor adventure training, leadership, business and risk management skills.

The curriculum includes over 750 hours of field study and practical training in the following: river touring skills (kayak touring and gentle rafting), river rescue, no trace camping and wilderness travel skills, cross-country cycling, flatwater canoeing, astronomy, winter camping skills, tracking, wildlife viewing, photography, wild edible plants and birding. In addition to the outdoor courses, students participate in several weekend expeditions and extended activity skills training sessions.

Students also gain a sound theoretical background in the business side of the industry through such theory courses as ecotourism, computer applications, risk management, interpretive media, marketing and customer service and small business and financial management.

Qualified students can participate in a summer work co-op. The 500+ hour paid work placement offers students real-world work experience and an opportunity to network and make contacts in the outdoor tourism industry. Alternatively students can complete a 12 week work term in an industry related position to fulfill the work experience component required for program completion.

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 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 becoming well-rounded guides in the nature and interpretive segment of the outdoor adventure tourism industry.
• Are interested in acquiring the skills associated with working in and/or running a small business in the outdoor adventure tourism industry.
• Are interested in gaining industry experience, making contacts in the industry, and building on their credentials.

Your Career

To meet the expressed industry needs of provincial, national and international adventure tourism, parks and education centres, Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program 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. Students also have the opportunity to obtain several industry-related certifications enhancing employment opportunities.

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Courses

Fees & Expenses

Tuition Fees: $2,480.26 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Incidental Fees: $305 in Level 01, $185 in Level 02 and $200 in Level 03.
Student Activity/Sports Fee: $200.50 per term.

Student Commons/Auditorium Fee: $22 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $20 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $117.02 paid once annually. **

A $40 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at algonquincollege.com/its/support/IT-Fee/index-it-fee.htm

** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the request. This request will have to be made annually.

Co-op Fee: $465 payable in two installments in the term preceding each work term. The first installment of $100 is payable at the time of registration for co-op and is non-refundable. The second installment of $365 is payable on the standard fees due date. Students on a co-op work term will pay 10% of the Student Activity and Building Fees. Co-op students on work term in the Fall will pay the Health Plan Fee.

1. Clothing and equipment: Students need appropriate clothing and equipment to participate in outdoor activities throughout the three semesters of the program. A complete "gear list" may be found on the website. Many students already own many of these items. When applicants are accepted into the program, they receive a complete list of clothing and equipment required. Expect to spend $1,000 to $1,200 over the 16 months.

2. Books and supplies cost approximately $2,190.

3. Expeditions: Travel, food, and equipment are supplied for expeditions. Travel documents (passport and travel insurance) if required, are the
responsibility of the student.

4. Student Directed Field Trip: All expenses for this student planned field trip are the responsibility of the student groups. This is a Level 03
course which is the culmination of the student groups' learning and skill development in many diverse areas. Students prepay $200 towards this field trip (Incidental Fee Level 03) which is reimbursed to them upon completion and approval of a comprehensive student directed field trip plan.

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Admission Requirements  2013/20142012/2013

Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
1 College Way
Pembroke, ON K8A 0C8
Telephone: 613-735-4700 ext. 2708
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723

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Additional Information

This program is offered at the Pembroke Campus, which is surrounded by the fantastic natural resources of the beautiful and rugged Ottawa Valley. Sitting on the shores of the mighty Ottawa River, the Campus is in close proximity to world-renowned Algonquin Park, numerous natural history interpretive sites and its program partner, Wilderness Tours. The Wilderness Tours resort is located just 20 minutes from the Pembroke Campus.

At least two weekends per term are scheduled for expeditions and/or practical skills courses. Students must attend these weekend programs. A schedule is distributed on the first day of fall camp.

Please note that the activity skills offered in this program are subject to weather and logistical requirements.

In order to apply what the students have been learning and gain real life experience, students have the opportunity to participate in a co-op placement (summer between Levels 02 and 03) at a College approved company in the outdoor adventure tourism industry. In order to qualify for the co-op component of the program, students must meet predetermined co-op elegibility criteria. For more information visit the Algonquin College co-op website at www.algonquincollege.com/coop. Students who do not qualify for or choose not to do the co-op placement, must accumulate 12 weeks of industry related work experience prior to graduating from the program. Completing either the co-op experience or the work term is mandatory for program completion.

For more program information, please contact Ian Pineau, Program Coordinator, at 613-735-4700 ext. 2759 or pineaui@algonquincollege.com.

Statement of Responsibility, Safety and Liability:
In order to learn the skills necessary to become an effective leader in the outdoor adventure tourism industry, students must perform beyond the limits of a mere participant and assume a greater degree of responsibility and risk.

There is an inherent element of risk which is beyond human control. Only those risks that contribute to career related skills, knowledge, and experience are acceptable, as dictated by industry standards, certification, licences, and specific course outlines. This is termed "risk appropriate" training. Risks that fall outside of the scope of industry practice are deemed inappropriate for technical training programs at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley. Although effort is made to minimize exposure to these risks, we can ultimately assume no responsibility for your safety or loss of personal equipment.
A signed liability release is required of all students before commencement of the program. An additional liability release may be required for courses delivered through subcontractors or host agencies. The student is encouraged to read these carefully and fully understand the form's legal implications before signing. A parent/guardian release is required for minors (under 18 years of age).

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