Outdoor Adventure Leader Training

2023 Dates To Be Announced

Garden River First Nation Territory, Ontario

Do you have what it takes to work in the outdoor adventure industry? Come with us on a journey to explore a world of First Nation traditions and natural wonders in the backcountry. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery that unfolds before you on our guided canoe and kayak adventures. This is a 4 week outdoor wilderness classroom certification program which includes: whitewater kayaking, canoe tripping, river running, navigation, risk management and the essentials of wilderness camping. Welcome to O.A.L.T 2023

Who is this training for? Leaders of canoe expeditions, lands & resource departments, youth workers, parks & recreation workers, teachers, students, guides, program directors, camps, instructional organizations and anybody looking to gain experience and skills in the outdoor adventure industry. No Experience Necessary!

Thing you need to know about O.A.L.T 2023

Experiential Learning with Great Lakes Cultural Camps

Great Lakes Cultural Camps “GLCC” is a small family run business that focuses on all the details. GLCC expeditions and adventure learning programs are designed to provide participants with high quality, in-depth instruction in a range of indoor and outdoor adventure activities. Our programs are intensive adventure experiences geared to the abilities and interests of participants. We specialize in Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association (ORCKA), Paddle Canada (PC), Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Boreal River Rescue, National GPS, Leave No Trace (LNT) certification programs, backcountry and authentic First Nation Cultural Experiences. We also coordinate and offer a variety of other year round experiential learning activities. GLCC offers a complete wide variety of top of the line canoes, kayaks, and sup boards. We have all the equipment you need to begin your backcountry experience on the North Shore. It’s all about high quality gear and superb instruction.

What You Can Expect

Our days are full of adventure and challenging because they involve the active participation of each individual. If you wish to participate, you should be aware that very little will be done for you.  Expect full days on and around the lake / river with lots of hands-on practice time. Days include a mixture of skills workshops, small group drills, practical review and debriefing. Anticipate intense days followed by homework in the evenings. Don’t plan on being involved with other work or school during the duration of your Great Lakes Cultural Camp program.

What’s Included With Your Course

Your course cost is all-inclusive. That means you will have shared bunk house accommodations (no heat or electrical), shower house, all your meals and snacks, full use of our top of the line equipment including canoes, kayaks, paddles,  PFD’s, helmets, semi-dry tops, wetsuits for the Whitewater Rescue Technician portion of the course, communal camping supplies, shuttle to the river, handouts, certification card, badges, camping fees, and dynamic instructors.

Meals

Meals at GLCC are wholesome, well balanced and enjoyable. They are prepared on site in the kitchen by a dedicated kitchen staff.  The menu is familiar, nutritious and conforms to the Canada’s Food Guide recommended daily servings. Fresh produce and dairy products are delivered regularly. Snacks and fruit are available throughout the day. Although we cannot guarantee special meals at all times during the program, we will try to accommodate most dietary needs.  However, it is ultimately your responsibility to make your requests known locally and be aware of what foods you are consuming.

Accommodations  - Base Camp

Private tenting accommodations are possible for those that bring their own tents. You will have access to hot showers and washroom.

Accommodations  - On Over Night Expeditions

While on any overnight expeditions your accommodations will be in tents. We will supply all of the group and communal gear and equipment.

The Core Elements - Outdoor Adventure Leader Training Spring 2023

Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association is the provincially and nationally recognized provider of recreational canoeing and kayaking programs and instruction, helping the people of Ontario to become safe, competent and knowledgeable recreational paddlers!

ORCKA Certification  Basic Canoe 3 (Tandem) - 2 days

Basic Canoeing Level 3 is designed to introduce the novice or relatively inexperienced canoeist to tandem paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices.

Course highlights include: selection of equipment, equipment knowledge, equipment care,government regulations, safe canoeing procedures, paddling positions, trimming, sideward displacement, forward straight, lifts and carries, entering / exiting a canoe, and more.

ORCKA Certification  Flat Water Kayak A - 1 day

The Flatwater Kayaking Level A is designed to introduce the inexperienced kayaker to paddling. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of kayaking along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe kayaking practices. A spray skirt is not required for this course.

Course highlights include: wet exit, capsize & swim the kayak to shore, peer rescue, lifting & carrying, launching, landing & removing the kayak, forward paddling, reverse paddling, stopping, pivoting, turning and more.

ORCKA Certification  Flat Water Kayak B - 1 day

The Flatwater Kayaking Level B is the second part of the Flatwater Kayaking and is designed to complete the process of masterning the fundamentals begun in Flatwater Kayaking Level A. Water safety and safe kayaking practices are stressed. Upon completion of the Flatwater Kayaking Level B, the successful course participant should have the knowledge, skills and confidence to plan and execute short (up to half-day) kayak tours with other similarly skilled individuals in sheltered waters.

ORCKA Certification  Basic Canoe 4 (solo) - 2 days

Basic Canoe Level 4 certification course introduces the novice or relatively inexperienced canoeist to solo paddling. The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of canoeing along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe canoeing practices. It opens up a whole new avenue of paddling skills and fun to the canoeist. This course provides a standard provincial certification of competence for solo flatwater paddling. Successful participants of the BC 4 course can progress towards the instructor level.

ORCKA Certification Canoe Tripping Level 1A - 3  days

Canoe Tripping Level 1A course provides an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little or no tripping experience. Emphasis is on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety. Canoe Tripping Level 1 prepares candidates to be safe, skilled and knowledgeable participants on short duration canoe trips lead by more experienced canoe trippers. It is expected that successful graduates of this course will progressively build their canoe tripping experience.

Learn about: trip planning, canoe tripping gear, weather interpretation, campsites / shelters, knots, fires / stoves,  personal / camp hygiene, navigation, and more.

Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) Certification - 4 days

Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) is the international standard for river guides, whitewater instructors, independent boaters, and rescue technicians.  The course takes place over four full days on and around the river. Increase your understanding of the river environment in order to identify and avoid hazards and work with the water to perform efficient and effective rescues.   After learning techniques for swimming, wading, throwing ropes, and rescuing people in relatively easy rapids, you will refine and gain expertise with these skills in a variety of bigger rapids and more complex situations. The second half of the course involves simulations where you will practice your whitewater rescue skills along with leadership, communication, and problem solving.  The final day includes a practical assessment.

ORCKA Certification Moving Water 1A (Tandem) - 2 days

This Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association course provides an introduction to whitewater paddling for those with little or no experience in whitewater paddling. The emphasis is on tandem canoeing skills, understanding whitewater principles, and river safety.  It opens up a whole new avenue of paddling skills and fun to the canoeist. This course provides a standard provincial certification of competence for tandem moving water paddling. After these 2 days on the river, your thirst for real adventure will be quenched and you will take home a powerful set of whitewater skills for future adventures in the backcountry!

Course highlights include: swimming a rapid, river reading, moving water principles, front ferry, peel out, s turn and front surfing and more.

ORCKA Certification Canoe Tripping Level 1B - 5  days

Canoe Tripping Level 1B course provides an introduction to canoe tripping for those with little or no tripping experience. Emphasis is on wilderness canoe camping skills and safety. Canoe Tripping Level 1 prepares candidates to be safe, skilled and knowledgeable participants on short duration canoe trips lead by more experienced canoe trippers. It is expected that successful graduates of this course will progressively build their canoe tripping experience.

Learn about: trip planning, canoe tripping gear, weather interpretation, campsites / shelters, knots, fires / stoves,  personal / camp hygiene, navigation, and more.

ORCKA Certification Moving Water Kayak 1 - 3 days

Three days of whitewater fun and excitement! Join us for our ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association) Moving Water KAYAKING Level 1 course. The course is for complete beginners. Our MW Kayak Level 1 follows a logical progression and provides participants a general overview of basic skills and is perfect for a participants with no experience. The course focuses on introducing river maneuvers, such as eddy peel-outs and ferrying on Class I water. In addition, we work to increase your comfort and skills on Class I& II whitewater.

ORCKA Certification River Running Canoe 1A (Tandem) - 2 days

The object of this course is to have participants paddling comfortably and safely in both the bow and stern positions in a loaded tandem canoe as well as alone in a loaded solo canoe. As this is an introductory white water course participants will work in Class I and Class II rapids focusing on building confidence in controlled yet challenging conditions.

Our Classroom

Instruction is "hands-on" and personal, giving you the opportunity to learn through experience. Experiential learning is one of the most effective tools available for helping individuals learn and apply knowledge. Solid facilitation, opportunities to process learning and real life experiences ensure a unique way of learning. Whether the focus is team building, leadership, cultural enrichment, science, survival or skill building, we promote hands-on learning. This approach to teaching acknowledges and meets the needs of participants' varying learning styles.

Our Goals

* To provide opportunities for participants to develop personal growth, leadership, teamwork and to learn with and from each other in a range of outdoor settings.

* To provide opportunities for participants to develop self esteem and confidence.

* To provide participants with opportunities to experience genuine adventure and to be challenged mentally, emotionally, physically and socially through outdoor activities and experiences.

* To provide a friendly, safe, caring and supportive learning environment.

2023 O.A.L.T. (Outdoor Adventure Leader Training) Course Calendar - TBD

Element #1

ORCKA Certification -  ORCKA Basic Canoe 3 (tandem). Course Location: Garden River First Nation Territory

Element #2

ORCKA Certification - ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking Level A. Course Location: Garden River First Nation Territory

Element #3

ORCKA Certification - ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking Level B. Course Location: Garden River First Nation Territory

Element #4

ORCKA Certification - Moving Water 1A (Tandem). Course Location: Batchewana First Nation Territory

Element #5

Whitewater Rescue Technician Certification (WRT). Course Location: Magnetewan First Nation

Element #6

ORCKA Certification - Moving Water Kayaking 1. Course Location: Garden River First Nation Territory

Element #7

ORCKA Certification -  ORCKA Basic Canoe 4 (solo). Course Location: Garden River First Nation Territory

Element #8

ORCKA Certification - Canoe Tripping 1A. Course Location: Timiskiming First Nation Territory

Element #9

ORCKA Certification - River Running 1A (tandem). Course Location: French River, Henvery Inlet First Nation

Element #10

ORCKA Certification - Canoe Tripping 1B. Course Location: French River, Henvery Inlet First Nation

Graduation, Debrief and Cultural Feast. Course Location: Serpent River First Nation Territory

O.A.L.T 2023 - 5 week Certification Course All-Inclusive Cost $7,500.00

Payment

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking; this includes a $500.00 non-refundable administration fee. 50% of the balance is due 90 days prior to the course commencement, the full amount is due 60 days prior to course commencement. Balances will be automatically charged on these dates. Medical reasons not withstanding, should the client withdraw from any course, a 50% cancellation fee is automatically deducted from the full registration cost. If withdrawing with less than 45 days notice prior to course commencement, there is no refund. Cancellation and Refunds.A full refund will be received for cancellations made 60 days prior to the trip departure date less the $250.00 administration fee. Cancellations made within 60 days are non-refundable.    Great Lakes Cultural Camps, reserves the right to refuse a student's participation in any course should safety become a factor.

We Reserve The Right

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary prior to and throughout the trip as we constantly improve the Great Lakes Cultural Camp experience.  Itineraries may change due to: Severe weather, student ability, motivation and conditioning, high or low rivers, high, unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, forest fires, illness,  any potential threat to safety; even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant changes.

The Course Fee Does Not Include

Personal equipment/gear requirements, personal expenditures while at Great Lakes Cultural base camp (i.e. equipment purchase, travel snack purchase) nor does it provide replacement for lost, stolen or broken equipment.

Cancellation and Refunds

A full refund will be received for cancellations made 60 days prior to the trip departure date less the $250.00 administration fee. Cancellations made within 60 days are non-refundable. We highly suggest purchasing cancellation insurance through your travel agency.

The Course Fee Does Not Include

Personal equipment/gear requirements, personal expenditures while at Great Lakes Cultural base camp (i.e. equipment purchase, travel snack purchase) nor does it provide replacement for lost, stolen or broken equipment.

Registration Process

Upon receipt of your paid registration we will forward our Health & Safety Form and an Assumption of Risk, Responsibility Form. Please complete these and return them immediately. We must receive these completed forms in order for you to begin the course. Please note that the minimum age requirement is 18. There is a practical skills evaluation as part of the certification process during this course.

Insufficient Registration

From time to time, courses are cancelled due to insufficient registration. Every effort will be made to contact people 14 days prior to the start of the course. Great Lakes Cultural Camps is not responsible for any other expenses incurred by registrants as a result of cancelled courses such as travel and accommodation.

Clothing and Equipment

Our entire course takes place outside, involving solo and tandem paddling. As part of the course you will be getting wet! Great Lakes Cultural Camps provides all the equipment such as canoes, pfd’s, paddles, throw bags, safety equipment, etc.  You bring your personal gear. See our packing list.

O.A.L.T EQUIPMENT PACKAGE -2023

COST $2,000.00 (OPTIONAL)

GLCC Equipment Package (OPTIONAL)

Our personal equipment package include the latest river gear and practical accessories for future trip leaders. Please email our office if you would like to add this option for $2,000.00.

1. Astral Green Vest Pro Rescue Life Vest

2.Rescue Throw bag

3.PFD Tether - Pig Tail

4.WRSI Helmet

5. NRS Gear Bag

6. 1 liter Nalgene Water Bottle

7. Rescue River knife

8. Rescue Hardware Kit

- 5meters tubular webbing

- 4 screw-locking carabineers

- 2 x 6mm prussic cord

- 3 pulleys

- 2 yellow glow sticks

- Fox Whistle

9. 9.Drysuit
   

10. 10. O.A.L.T Jacket with Embroidered Great Lakes Cultural Camps Logo
    

If you would like to order the equipment package. Please email Bernadette (office manager) by April 15th, 2020. This email should also include the following to assist us in selecting the appropriate sizes for equipment. info@culturalcamps.com