Water Experience 25

Experience water like you never have before! Join us for a 4-day experiential learning adventure in the Bow Valley Watershed. Earn 3 credits in a Locally Developed Course (LDC2492) while developing your moving water canoeing and leadship skills and investigating the impacts of water

General Water Experience 25 Course Information

• Water Experience 25 is a locally developed course offered by Canadian Rockies Public Schools.
• Water Experience 25 is open to students in Grade 10-12 students who have completed Water Experience 15.
• This is a 3-credit course with approximately 75 hours of instruction.
• Water Experience 25 can accommodate up to 16 students.
• Water Experience 15 is prerequisite course as is a  basic level of physical fitness.
• Students are expected to provide their own outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for the activity. A gear list will be provided.

General Water Experience 25 Learning Outcomes

The objectives of this course are to build water navigation, aquatic ecosystem knowledge and leadership skills in a context of critical thinking.  It also highlights best practice methods for inquiry research, problem solving, and analysis.

It is our intention that through this course students will:

• Display a level of familiarity with techniques and technology that allows them to confidently respond to emergency situations
• Demonstrate understanding of flatwater and moving water canoeing safety
• Develop familiarity with basic navigation and personal safety equipment
• Develop informed decision making skills and build leadership capacity
• Access and apply online risk management resources

The aforementioned skills will be delivered in the context of the following:

• Teach and model high quality best practice risk management skills across the outdoor education community
• Foster and appreciation for terrain diversity
• Appreciate the global nature of environmental issues
• Demonstrate appropriate use of multiple technologies

Lake and Moving Water travel

• technique development (Students have the opportunity to earn a Paddle Canada Certificate)
• terrain and hazard evaluation
• assessment of risk
• emergency situations
• trip planning

Knowledge and understanding

• water ecosystems and water quality testing
• the Rocky Mountain watersheds
• risk management process

Leadership and Social Skills

• communication skills
• community building and acceptance of others
• self-reflection

Appreciation and values

• stewardship
• role modeling
• active ambassadorship

Fitness

• personal water skills
• nutrition
• lifelong healthy lifestyle choices

Detailed Water Experience 25 Course Outline

*exact program activities, locations and timings of course elements are subject to change.

Water Experience 25 Assessment

Students will be given a variety of assignments throughout the Water Experience 25 course. Student work will be collected by the course administrator to be used to evaluate their learning. Some course work will be submitted using Google Classroom (online pre-course work), while other assignments (such as the Course Journal) will be completed on site. Online course assessments are valued at 40% of the final grade. Immersion participation, activities, and assignments are valued at 60% of the final grade.

Special resources, facilities or equipment necessary

Students will need access to a computer and sign in instructions for Google Classroom in order to complete the online course work. All trip accommodation, food, resources, and equipment is provided by the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre.

Risk assessment and Safety

Training and Certification

Winter Travel 15 is facilitated by Canadian Rockies Public Schools teachers and/or  outdoor professionals who possess current industry standard training and certifications and experience working with groups in the outdoors.

Water Environment

The water environment can present challenges with immersion in cold water and moving water related hazards. Gear lists will be issued to students prior to the course and will be checked upon arrival. Extra clothing and gear will be on hand for students to borrow in case of inadequate preparation. Students will be briefed thoroughly on the appropriate dress and layering technique for outdoor clothing, use of safety equipment, as well as hazard awareness and mitigation. Students will spend time practicing rescue scenarios.

Transportation

Transportation to and from the course start and end locations are the responsibility of the visiting school or student unless arranged otherwise.