Adventure Tourism Summer Certificate Program

Program Overview

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Adventure Tourism Summer Certificate Program

PROGRAM START MONTHS

Full Year (12 month) Program starts: April to November (1 year Program). Accelerated (6+ month) Program starts: April.

LENGTH OF STUDY FOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

263.5 hours within 6+ or 12 months

CREDITS

24

INDIVIDUAL COURSE START MONTHS

Individual courses can be taken according to the course scheduling – no study permit required to take individual courses for up to 6 months. Individual Course Certificates are earned for each course completed

CREDENTIALS

Program Certificate, WFR 80hrs Accredited by Government of B.C. Private Training Institutes Branch (PTIB).

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Be a part of the outdoor tourism industry. Skill sets emphasized include safety, mountain biking skills, entry level climbing, backcountry leadership, and wilderness first aid certification. Students will be equipped to enter the outdoor industry on an entry level.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Aimed at the individual who is looking for training in the outdoor adventure industry and once in a lifetime backcountry experiences. Learn new skills and techniques to help you to safely & confidently navigate in the mountains and learn the fundamentals of downhill biking skills, climbing skills, backpacking, and guiding leadership.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program the successful graduate will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the knowledge, technical skills and credentials of the adventure tourism industry.
• Apply knowledge of personal and group safety, and conscientious stewardship of the heritage and the environment.
• Exhibit leadership in varied and diverse situations.
• Demonstrate ability to support adventure-based and nature-based outdoor recreation activities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic business skills applied to adventure tourism.

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

• Program Diploma
• Wilderness First Responder Certification

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

Graduates could become an intern outdoor guide. Additionally, graduates may work in the business aspects of outdoor activity operations in recreational tourism.

We advise students that additional training may be necessary.

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition Fee Domestic| $8,500 CAD ---|--- Tuition Fee International| $9,500 CAD Application Fee| $250 CAD Textbook Fees| Up to $120 CAD Trip Fees| Up to $450 CAD *Trip fees and Textbook fees vary according to courses taken and textbook providers. All textbooks may be purchased by students from publishers (online or print) directly.

WAS GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 18 years of age or older
• All students must meet WAS Language Proficiency Assessment Policy.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 20 kg /44 lbs
• Ability to bike beginner runs (green).
• Good level of physical fitness is required
• Ability to walk and or hike long distances

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Adventure Tourism Gear List (Look for specific AT Summer courses)

SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

When applying for the Adventure Tourism Summer program, the student's skills must meet the below requirements:

• Students should be able to bike beginner (green) runs comfortably.
• Ability to correctly wear a harness, helmet and climbing shoes.
• Students will require a reasonable base level of fitness. Basic level of fitness includes the ability to walk uphill for one hour at a moderate pace. (Students will require a reasonable base level of fitness)
• Students will have to complete a medical form.
• Students with a pre-existing medical conditions or health concerns should contact WAS prior to the course start date.

COURSES

Core Courses

All students will complete the below core courses| Program| Month| Hours| ---|---|---|---|--- Experiential Leadership & Guiding| Adventure Tourism Summer| April| 45| Wilderness First Responder| Adventure Tourism Summer| May or October| 80| Backpacking| Adventure Tourism Summer| May or October| 48| Alpine Climbing| Adventure Tourism Summer| August| 68|

Elective Courses

Choose one elective from the list below| Program| Month| Hours| ---|---|---|---|--- Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills| Adventure Tourism Summer| June| 22.5| Guiding Clients| Bike Guide Training| July| 22.5| *Guiding Clients elective is for advanced mountain bikers only| | | |

Whistler Adventure School

ABOUT WAS

Whistler Adventure School (WAS) is a private post-secondary school providing high quality career training in Marketing & Media, Mountain Sport Technician, Adventure Tourism Winter, Adventure Tourism Summer, Design and Innovation, and Guiding in the beautiful mountain town of Whistler, BC, Canada.

PROGRAMS

• Marketing & Media Manager
• Mountain Sport Technician
• Design & Innovation
• Adventure Tourism Summer
• Adventure Tourism Winter
• Bike Guide Training
• Ski & Snowboard Guide Training

Testimonials

• “I’ve had a great time taking the Marketing & Media Management program in arguably the best place on earth. The ability to pursue further education with access to world class mountain terrain is unparalleled. Thanks so much for the opportunity to spend a season in the Sea to Sky, it really has been an experience of a lifetime. I’ve already accepted an offer for a social media position in the snowboarding industry & that is all thanks to the skills I’ve learned at WAS ” – Ali, Marketing Media Manager Graduate
• “WAS prepared me well for the diploma program at TRU, and helped me make my first connections in the adventure tourism industry. The industry is smaller than one might think, and getting that first mentorship prepared me well to make my first decisions in the mountains.” – Jonas, Ski/Snowboarding Guide Training Graduate
• “The Best School Ever! I remember those times in Slovakia when we were sitting in school and studying unimportant subjects. We had wasted 70% of the time by learning something which we had never used. The result was that we forgot everything after exams passed by… WAS has a different approach. Pick only the subjects you are passionate about and have fun by learning useful stuff. I have graduated in the Retail and Manufacturing Program. I can say that I had enjoyed every single hour. I remember every lesson. I have created connections with teachers at those lessons. Thanks to these connections, I’ve got a job in Prior Snowboards as a ski builder. Good times. LIVE.LEARN.PLAY.” – Adam, Retail Manufacturing Manager Graduate (program is now Mountain Sport Technician)

Program Outline

Careers:

• Intern outdoor guide
• Business aspects of outdoor activity operations in recreational tourism

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Tuition Fee Domestic$8,500 CAD Tuition Fee International$9,500 CAD Application Fee$250 CAD Textbook Fees$100 CAD Trip FeesUp to $450 CAD