10 credit course; Group Bookings Available
Experience water like you never have before! Join us for a 3-day experiential learning adventure in the Bow Valley Watershed. Earn 10 credits in a series of on-line courses that connect students to the Wilderness and prepare them for many different situations and then having the opportunity on-site to apply their knowledge hands on, learn flat water canoeing skills, hazard awareness and assessment, trip planning, Bow River watershed history and ecology, and leadership.
Courses offered:
LDC1492- Water Experience 15 (3 credits)
LDC 1509- Leadership, Character, and Social Responsibility (5 credits)
FOR 1020- Forest Ecology in Regions of Canada (1 credit)
HSS1100- Nature and Wellness (1 credit)
It is expected that students complete all on-line coursework and assignments prior to the 3 day 2 night experience.
General Water Experience Program Course Information
- Water Experience Program package is offered by Canadian Rockies Public Schools.
- Water Experience Program is open to students in Grade 10-12 students.
- This is 10-credit Program is a blend of on-line assignments due prior to the approximate 40 hours of in-person instruction.
- Water Experience Program can accommodate up to 40 students.
- A basic level of physical fitness is required.
- Students are expected to provide their own outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for canoeing and outdoor activities. A gear list will be provided.
General Water Experience Program IN-PERSON 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 safety
- Develop familiarity with basic navigation and personal safety equipment
- Develop informed decision making skills and build leadership capacity
- Recognize hazards and ways to mitigate them
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 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 watershed health
- the Bow River Watershed and impacts on this watershed
- risk management procedures
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