PaddleFoot
offers one of the premiere Canoe Tripping Leadership programs in Ontario.
If you are highly motivated with a desire to gain new skills and improve
your leadership and tripping skills, this course is for you. Many graduates
use this course as a stepping stone to employment in guiding, outdoor
education and the camping industry. If you choose to participate in
all three elements, you will receive:
• three international certifications (WRT1, ORCA1, WFA)
• workshops on a variety of relevant topics
• practice leading and teaching your peers
• practical experience on an extended expedition
• a 72 hour solo experience
This comprehensive leadership course is a unique program in three elements.
Participants may choose any or all components.
Element 1 –
Certifications and Trip Preparation Skills - 7 Days
Element 2 –
Whitewater Canoe Expedition - 34 Days
Element 3 –
Solo and Debrief - 7 Days
Taking part in all three elements provides participants with a strong
practical background in the areas needed to be a leader in the outdoors.
The course combines the technical skills of guiding with the less tangible
aspects of leadership development, providing graduates with a comprehensive
training program. Graduates will be ready to work for places like PaddleFoot!
Descriptions of the Elements
Element 1 – Certifications and Trip Preparation
Skills
7 Days
This section of the program takes place at the base camp. Participants
take part in three certification courses and various workshops geared
towards trip preparation.
River Rescue (*WRT 1)
Rescue 3 International
This certification course is an intensive three-day, 30-hour class.
There is one day of classroom instruction followed by two days developing
and practicing water- rescue skills. The initial emphasis is on developing
self-rescue skills. Other components include an in-depth look at: controlling
in-water contact rescues, handling hazards and obstacles, setting up
technical rope systems, understanding water dynamics and using basic
rescue equipment.
Participants should be in good physical condition and good swimmers.
We spend a lot of time in the water so wetsuits are recommended.
Wilderness First-Aid (WFA)
Wilderness Medical Associates
Wilderness First Aid 16 hrs
This course is the minimum requirement for assistant outdoor leaders
or for outdoors enthusiasts looking for an introductory first aid course.
We devote mornings to lectures and exams. Afternoons are practical sessions
and video taped simulations. Emergency simulations with stage makeup
enhance the course. Course material covers many topics included in Wilderness
Advanced First Aid and gives our participants a higher level of confidence
going out on trip.
Participants also receive Adult CPR as part of this course.
Curriculum Highlights: Patient assessment, equipment improvisation,
environmental injuries, wilderness medical protocols, patient packaging,
body systems, trauma, toxins & allergies.
Whitewater canoeing skills (ORCA 1)
Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association Moving Water Level 1
ORCA Moving Water Level One is a two-day whitewater canoeing course.
This course is taught in tandem canoes. The moving water 1 is designed
for people with little to no white water canoeing experience. Participants
should be able to swim and be comfortable in and around water. Some
of our WLP participants have more canoeing experience than is needed
for this course, therefore the teaching progressions and style of the
instructor is their biggest learning focus.
This course covers, canoe design and construction, river reading, trip
planning, whitewater principals, eddy out, peel out, S-turn, back and
front ferries and much more.
Participants receive Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association Moving
Water Level 1A, a certification recognized across Canada and in many
other paddling communities.
PaddleFoot
Workshops
Our Guides and staff lead workshops on the following topics:
• Expedition preparation
• Route planning
• Safety program planning
• Emergency procedures
• Care, knowledge and packing of equipment
• Menu planning and food packing
• Map and compass navigation
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Element 2 – Whitewater Canoe Expedition
34 Days
After the base camp section of the program, Leadership participants head
out for 30 days on one of Canada’s spectacular remote rivers. Some
of the amazing rivers that WLP participants have traveled in the past
include the:
• Rupert River in Northern Quebec
• Pontax River in Northern Quebec
• Missinaibi River in Northern Ontario
• Moisie River in Labrador & Quebec (Moisie for 2010)
• Broadback River in Northern Quebec
• Harricana River in Northern Ontario
• Attawapiskat River in Northwestern Ontario
• Albany River in Northwestern Ontario
These rivers have in common, a long drive to the remote drop off and
then a spectacular journey through one of Canada’s least traveled
waterways. Each of these rivers has historical significance and allows
us to retrace the steps of the early Canadians – Hudson Bay Company
out posts, thousand year old campsites, and ancient pictographs are
all historic spots to investigate.
The focus of the trip for WLP participants is to gain and refine their
technical tripping skills while at the same time exploring their own
leadership style and other interpersonal skills. Participants gain the
experience that only an extended expedition can provide. Each person
is challenged on a daily basis as they move through the daily routines
of wilderness travel: map and compass route finding, reading rapids,
portaging, campsite selection, and campsite living. But the challenges
are not only physical as the group lives, works and plays together 24
hours a day, seven days a week. Problem-solving, decision-making and
leadership are all needed skills as the group moves from 10 individuals
to a highly functioning group.
Workshops continue out on trail as Guides present topics relevant to
wilderness travel and expedition. Participants have the opportunity
to teach at least one lesson to their peers and are given the chance
to take on a leadership role in a safe and supportive environment.
Some of the topics covered on the expedition are as follows.
Technical skills:
• Risk analysis
• River safety – expedition style
• River management
• Reading and Scouting rapids
• Whitewater paddling skills
• Portaging
• Campsite management
• Fire-building
• Cooking
• Shelter-building
• Stove safety and use
• Low-impact camping
Group and interpersonal skills:
• Leadership
• Communication
• Group dynamics
• Teaching and facilitation
• Decision-making
• Goal-setting
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Feedback
Other topics:
• Star identification
• Ecology
• Juggling
• Trail Saunas
• Campfire singing
• Nature crafts
• How to roast the quintessential marshmallow
Yes the expedition is about workshops, learning and refining skills
– but fun and friendship are just as important! Everyone takes
part in all aspects of trip life, so we pay a lot of attention to cooperation
and communication. Daily debriefings provide a forum to discuss trip
and interpersonal issues in a supportive environment. Laughter and fun
are non-negotiable!
Back
to the Top
Element 3 Solo and Debrief
7 Days
The Wilderness Leadership Program is concluded with a final trip on
the Noire River,
Quebec including a 72 hour Solo experience. This extremely important
element provides an opportunity for participants to reflect and process
their experiences. Guides facilitate preparation and debriefing sessions,
providing space for reflection and support before returning to urban
life.
The Wilderness Leadership Program is a very intense learning experience.
Participants are called upon to live up to a standard of excellence
in all activities, from program leadership to assisting with guiding
responsibilities and even to helping with trip clean-up. The days are
long and there is little time for solitude. For this reason, the third
element of the WLP is virtually essential.
The group travels together to a spot where there are a number of small
campsites. After a safety briefing, each participant is dropped off
at a campsite of their own along with food and essentials. Guides complete
daily checks and trippers are never farther than a whistle blow away.
After 72 hours of solitude and reflection, the participants come together
again and have an opportunity to share in each other’s experiences
and to process the summer of learning. This is a chance to digest the
events of the summer in the comfort of the WLP group and under
the leadership of the WLP Guides. For many participants, solos are the
most powerful, and memorable moments of the summer.
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*WRT® is a registered trademark of Rescue3 International.
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