Program Overview

Adventure Guiding Certificate

Overview

This program prepares you for diverse roles in adventure tourism, from whale and wildlife tours to mountain resorts. Lead river rafting trips, guide sea kayaking tours along BC's coast and gain skills in wilderness first aid. Build your knowledge and confidence in sea kayaking, canoeing, river rafting, navigation and leadership to work in some of BC's most breathtaking outdoor locations.

Location

• Comox Valley

Length

• 1 year

Delivery

• In-person
• Full-time

Admission Requirements

• C in English 12 or equivalent or successful English assessment
• C+ in Workplace Math 11 or equivalent or successful Math assessment
• Or, permission of the department.
• By the first day of the program, completed medical forms.

Course Requirements

Core Competencies

• TGA - 100 Guiding Skills 1
• TGA - 101 Interpretation
• TGA - 103 Sea Kayaking 1
• TGA - 106 Sea Kayaking 2
• TGA - 110 Guiding Skills 2
• TGA - 111 Wilderness First Aid
• TGA - 700 Work Placement
• NAU - 016 Restricted Operator Certificate-Maritime
• TCS - 010 SuperHost Foundations of Service Quality
• TFS - 010 FoodSafe Level I

Field Skill Options

• Two field skill electives totaling 4 credits are required to meet program requirements.
• Students may choose additional field skill electives, in which case additional charges will be incurred.
  • TGA - 102 Wildlife Viewing
  • TGA - 104 River Rafting 1
  • TGA - 105 Canoeing
  • TGA - 107 Sailing
  • TGA - 108 Mountain Skills 1
  • TGA - 109 Winter Mountain Travel 1
  • TGA - 112 Rock Skills 1
  • TGA - 114 River Rafting 2
  • TGA - 131 Field Specialty Option 1 (Please discuss with coordinator)
  • TGA - 132 Field Specialty Option 2 (Please discuss with coordinator)

Applied Theory

• THM - 211 Sustainable Tourism Industry
• THM - 225 Cross Cultural Tourism
• One of the following:
  • THM - 100 The Tourism Industry
  • THM - 212 Tourism and Hospitality Law and Ethics
• One of the following:
  • ENG - 160 Effective Organizational Writing
  • ENG - 115 Essay Writing and Critical Analysis

Completion Requirements

• This is a 1 year (2 term) program
• Must be completed within 3 years

Supplies

• Core technical and safety gear is provided through program costs, however students are responsible for buying their own personal items, including:
  • Outdoor clothing
  • Sleeping bags
  • Foul weather gear
  • Dry bags
• Typical supply costs for the program range from $500 to $3,000.

Careers

• Our alumni work as outdoor sport and recreational guides and expedition guides, overseeing activities like whitewater rafting, canoeing, mountain climbing, ski touring, mountaineering and more as part of eco resorts, lodges, adventure tourism companies or as entrepreneurs.

Costs

• Domestic:
  • Tuition: $10,295
  • Student Union: $185
  • Learner Resource: $160
  • Health and Dental: $285
  • Total: $10,925
• International:
  • Tuition: $18,280
  • Student Union: $185
  • Learner Resource: $160
  • Health and Dental: $285
  • Student Services Fee: $820
  • Total: $19,730

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is spent in field vs. the classroom?

• You'll spend half of your time in the classroom or with online learning, and the other half with practical outdoor training and experiences.

Why is the tuition more than other NIC programs?

• We equip you with hands-on skills, in-field experiences and a comprehensive set of certifications and training that would be costly to acquire outside of the program.

How much will I have to spend on equipment?

• Depending on what you already own, you'll may need to spend anywhere from $500 to $3,000 on personal gear, including:
  • sleeping bag
  • foul weather gear
  • outdoor clothing
  • wetsuit or drysuit
  • neoprene booties and dry bags

Where can I work after I graduate?

• Our graduates have found excellent work placements and further employment with adventure tourism industry leaders such as:
  • At The Waters Edge Adventures
  • Campbell River Whale Watching
  • Coast Mountain Expeditions
  • Comox Valley Kayaks
  • Farewell Harbour Lodge
  • Hello Nature Adventure Tours
  • Horne Lake Caves
  • Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures
  • Knight Inlet Lodge
  • Maple Leaf Adventures
  • Mount Washington Alpine Resort
  • Pacific Sounds Lodge
  • Paddle West Kayaking
  • Remote Passages
  • Spirit Bear Lodge
  • Spirit of the West Adventures
  • Strathcona Park Lodge
  • Tofino Sea Kayaking Company
  • West Coast Expeditions
  • Wildcoast Adventures
  • Y Outdoor Centre

Aren’t the guiding jobs seasonal?

• Most coastal guiding in BC is seasonal, with summer work in sea kayaking, youth camps, wildlife tours, rafting and adventure parks, plus some shoulder season opportunities in spring and fall.