Core Courses Course Credits
Required: 18.00
- CMNS 174 Wilderness Leadership Communications 3.00
- REC 156 Natural History for Outdoor Leaders 3.00
- REC 157 Wilderness Leadership Skills 3.00
- REC 163 Wilderness First Aid I 3.00
- REC 169 Interpreting Natural and Cultural Landscapes 3.00
- WLP 153 Guiding Leadership 3.00
Credits 18.00
Skill Sets Course Credits
Choose 12.00 credits from the following list: 12.00
- WLP 124 Winter Skills 2.00
- WLP 125 Ski Touring 2.00
- WLP 126 Backpacking 2.00
- WLP 127 Mountaineering 2.00
- WLP 128 Rock Climbing I 2.00
- WLP 129 Rock Climbing II 2.00
- WLP 130 Rock Rescue Clinic 1.00
- WLP 131 Nordic Skiing I 2.00
- WLP 132 Nordic Skiing II 2.00
- WLP 133 Canoeing I 2.00
- WLP 134 Canoeing II 2.00
- WLP 135 Rafting I 2.00
- WLP 136 Rafting II 2.00
- WLP 137 Sea Kayaking I 2.00
- WLP 138 Sea Kayaking II 2.00
- WLP 139 River Kayaking Clinic 1.00
- WLP 140 River Rescue Clinic 1.00
- WLP 141 Telemark Clinic 1.00
- WLP 142 Sailing 2.00
- WLP 144 Sailing II 2.00
- WLP 145 Mountain Biking 2.00
- WLP 147 River Kayak I 2.00
- WLP 148 Snow Boarding 2.00
Credits 12.00
Total Program Credits 30.00
CMNS 174
Wilderness Leadership Communications
3.00 credits (6,0,2) hrs 08 wks
This course in writing and speech for wilderness-leadership professionals covers business correspondence, spoken presentations, and proposals.
Note: This course is restricted to WLP and REC program students.
REC 156
Natural History for Outdoor Leaders
3.00 credits (3,3,1) hrs 15 wks
Students will develop the skills to interpret the natural environment in this field-based course, through the application of principles and concepts of ecology, the identification of flora and fauna, and the interpretation of local ecosystems. Contemporary stewardship issues facing southwest British Columbia will be highlighted.
Note: Courses that are offered in Squamish may be delivered in a condensed format.
REC 157
Wilderness Leadership Skills
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Develops skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to provide challenging, safe adventure experiences in a temperate climate during spring, summer and fall.
Note: Courses that are offered in Squamish may be delivered in a condensed format.
REC 163
Wilderness First Aid I
3.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
An introductory course in first aid skills pertaining specifically to the wilderness environment.
Note: Courses that are offered in Squamish may be delivered in a condensed format.
REC 169
Interpreting Natural and Cultural Landscapes
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
The goal of this course is to enable students to develop an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the physical landscape. Emphasis will be placed on the geology and landforms of southwestern British Columbia.
Note: Courses that are offered in Squamish may be delivered in a condensed format.
WLP 124
Winter Skills
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
An introductory course developing skills in avalanche safety, terrain and hazard assessment, route finding, winter camping, and shelter building. Competent students may achieve industry standards in avalanche skills.
WLP 125
Ski Touring
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 124 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
Students will develop backcountry touring skills including track setting, winter camp craft, hazard avoidance, skiing techniques and route planning, weather observations and avalanche safety.
WLP 126
Backpacking
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Students will develop skills in client care, risk management, navigation, professionalism, travel, instruction, terrain assessment, camping and mountain sense.
WLP 127
Mountaineering
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 124 or WLP 126 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
This course is designed for the experienced backpacker with little or no rope skills. Skills in basic rock climbing, rope management, crevasse rescue, snow and glacier travel and ice climbing will be developed.
WLP 128
Rock Climbing I
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
A technical course for non-climbers, emphasizing technique development through practical application of field skills. Students will gain competency in outdoor top rope climbing and following a lead climber. Skill sets include anchor construction, rope management, rappelling, climbing and movement techniques, and hazard management.
WLP 129
Rock Climbing II
2.00 credits (24,0,0) hrs 02 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 128 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
An intermediate level of skill development of rock climbing techniques including rock rescue and introduction to lead climbing.
WLP 130
Rock Rescue Clinic
1.00 credit (24,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 128 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
This course emphasizes the practical aspects of technical rock rescue.
WLP 131
Nordic Skiing I
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
A foundation course developing competency in equipment selection and use, waxing, diagonal stride, poling, turns, skating, and telemark techniques.
WLP 132
Nordic Skiing II
2.00 credits (31.5,0,0) hrs 02 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 131 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
Students will develop and demonstrate competency in skiing and teaching diagonal stride, snow plow turns, double poling, off-set skate, and intermediate telemark. Competent students may achieve industry certification in nordic skiing.
WLP 133
Canoeing I
2.00 credits (56,0,0) hrs 01 wks
A course in developing leadership skills in lake water canoeing; includes canoe history in Canada, equipment, canoe safety and leadership, tandem and solo rescues, and canoe-tripping standards and practice. Competent students may achieve industry certification for instruction in lake-water canoeing.
WLP 134
Canoeing II
2.00 credits (54,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 133 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
Tandem and solo moving water canoeing skills are developed in this course. Content includes theory, strokes, manoeuvres, and rescues. Competent students may achieve industry certification in moving water canoeing.
WLP 135
Rafting I
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Includes equipment, strokes for oar and paddle boats, raft manoeuvring, and river reading. Competent students may achieve industry certification in rafting.
WLP 136
Rafting II
2.00 credits (63,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 135 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
This intensive course is designed to prepare students for the rafting industry. This guide training covers all aspects of rafting in preparation for the provincial guide exams.
WLP 137
Sea Kayaking I
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
A progressive introduction to sea kayaking, providing the student with sound kayaking skills while introducing the guiding element. Skill set includes paddling skills, rescue techniques, equipment, navigation, ocean skills, interpretation of the coastal environment, weather and group/leadership skills.
WLP 138
Sea Kayaking II
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 137 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
An intensive course focusing on each student's ability to make safe leadership decisions, perform surf landings and launches, and provide appropriate client care and instruction. Competent students may achieve industry certification in sea kayaking.
WLP 139
River Kayaking Clinic
1.00 credit (24,0,0) hrs 01 wks
This clinic introduces students to river kayaking equipment, safety procedures, strokes and rolling techniques. Skills will be introduced on flat water and will progress to river paddling.
WLP 140
River Rescue Clinic
1.00 credit (24,0,0) hrs 01 wks
This intensive course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in river rescue. Competent students may receive industry certification in river rescue.
WLP 141
Telemark Clinic
1.00 credit (24,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 132 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
Students will develop and demonstrate competency in skiing and teaching basic, intermediate and advanced telemark skills. Competent students may achieve industry certification in telemark skiing.
WLP 142
Sailing
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Basic sailing skills are developed in this course including general seamanship, acting as a competent crew, basic navigational skills, and emergency procedures. Competent students may achieve industry certification in sailing.
WLP 144
Sailing II
2.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
Prerequisite: WLP 142 is a prerequisite or co-requisite
Students will further develop skills in vessel and crew management with an emphasis on navigation, coastal meteorology, boat systems, and health and safety. They will demonstrate safe navigational practices and advance their proficiency in understanding the international symbols and regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
WLP 145
Mountain Biking
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
The course provides an awareness of safe guiding practices for leading mountain biking rides and competence at the beginner to intermediate levels. Topics discussed include site selection, teaching materials, demos, progression, skill analysis, biomechanics, teaching points, common errors and corrections, safety tips, and environmental variables.
WLP 147
River Kayak I
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
This course introduces students to river kayaking equipment, safety procedures, strokes and rolling techniques.
WLP 148
Snow Boarding
2.00 credits (48,0,0) hrs 01 wks
A course developing leadership skills in snowboarding, including a comprehensive overview of the sport as it relates to snowboard instruction, guiding and leadership.
WLP 151
Interpreting the Wilderness Environment
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course is designed to enable outdoor leaders to learn interpretation techniques regarding experiential teaching methods. These techniques enable students to interpret the surrounding wilderness environment including weather and the night sky.
WLP 152
Wilderness Leadership Work Practicum
2.00 credits (0,0,35) hrs 03 wks
Prerequisite: CMNS 174, REC 156, 157, 163, 169, WLP 153 and 12 WLP credits
The student will gain practical experience necessary to work effectively in an adventure industry business. The student will have an opportunity to work at a level comparable to that of a non-Work Experience employee of the organization. The student will integrate and consolidate theory and skills developed during the Wilderness Leadership Certificate program.
WLP 153
Guiding Leadership
3.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
This course examines the concepts of leadership and team building and expands on this theme through the exploration of skills and techniques.
