Outdoor Leadership
Certification
Bring your outdoor skills to the next level.
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Field Leader
Hiking
Certification
Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader (Hiking) — Two-Day Course
Build your confidence and develop the leadership skills needed to take groups outdoors. This two-day Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) course introduces a practical framework for planning and leading safe, enjoyable hiking experiences in low-risk terrain.
Designed for aspiring guides, teachers, camp staff, outdoor club leaders, and others responsible for groups outdoors, the course focuses on sound judgment, decision-making, and managing risk.
Topics include:
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Planning and preparing a group outing.
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Identifying hazards and assessing changing conditions.
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Group management, communication, and participant care.
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Matching activities to your group’s abilities and your own experience.
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Making decisions that support safety and a meaningful outdoor experience.
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Course duration: Two days
Prerequisites: No prerequisites are required.
Before your course: More details will be emailed one week before the course starts, along with a detailed course manual.
Please review the information and manual before attending so you arrive prepared.
From:
$325CAD
Field Leader
Winter (4 Season) Certification
Outdoor Council of Canada – Winter Field Leader Upgrade (One Day)
This one-day course is designed for students who have already completed the Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) Field Leader course and want to extend their training to leading groups in winter conditions.
The OCC Field Leader program develops outdoor leadership, trip planning, decision-making, group management, and risk assessment skills for leading safe and enjoyable experiences in low-risk terrain.
The Winter Field Leader upgrade builds on this foundation, addressing the additional hazards and considerations of winter outings. Topics include cold-weather preparation, clothing and equipment, managing participant comfort, recognizing winter hazards, and adapting plans to changing conditions.
This course is suitable for guides, teachers, outdoor club leaders, and others leading winter hiking, snowshoeing, or similar activities in low-risk winter environments.
Prerequisite: Previous completion of an OCC Field Leader course.
Duration: One day.
From:
$220CAD
Multi-day
Field Leader
Overnight Camping & Hiking
Certification
Multi-day Guide Certification (16hrs)
Schedule 2025:
August 16th Open for Registration
This course is only offered on weekends from June 15th Sept 15th. Contact us for dates if not listed.
Multi-day Field Leader (Overnight):
Graduates of the Field Leader Multi-day (Overnight) course are qualified to lead multi-day trips in the outdoors.
The overnight course is designed to enhance outdoor skills and knowledge in beautiful settings of Canmore/Kananaskis. These courses typically focus on key activities such as leading multiday hiking trips and backcountry camping. All set against the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.
Participants can expect a mix of practical skills training and theoretical knowledge. Instruction is often provided by experienced outdoor leaders who emphasize safety, environmental stewardship, and outdoor ethics. The courses may cover essential topics such as navigation, wilderness first aid, gear selection, and survival skills.
Overnight accommodations are usually in tents or rustic cabins, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the natural environment. Evening activities could include group discussions, campfire building skills.
Overall, this experience not only builds outdoor competencies but also fosters camaraderie among participants, making it an excellent choice for those looking to connect with nature and others who share a passion for the outdoors.
A minimum of 4 participants are required for the course to run.
From:
$450CAD
Paddling Field Leader Module
3 Season
Flat Water Paddling Certification
Paddling Leadership / Water Certification (16hrs)
Schedule 2025:
July 12th Open for Registration
This course is only offered on weekends from June 15th to Sept 1st.
Paddling Field Leader (Water Group Management):
This course is designed to train and certify people to lead others in a Low Risk Water Environment and/or Class 1 Hiking Terrain. We have defined criteria for what constitutes a `Low Risk Water Environment` and ‘Class 1 Hiking Terrain’ in Chapter 3. Since this is a certification course, successful completion of this course will certify you to lead others on a one-day event in both Water and Land based environments.
Students will be required to read a 40 page manual and complete attached quizzes before attending the module. Module length is 16 hours (2 days), all of which is spent outside. Graduates of the FL (Paddling) module are qualified to lead one day trips in low-risk environments as defined by the OCC Hiking Terrain Matrix.
A minimum of 4 participants are required for the course to run.
From:
$285CAD
Courses and modules include both classroom and outdoor lessons. Lessons include lectures, inquiry based learning, case study analysis, group discussions and field practice. Students’ own experience is used to deepen learning and strengthen the understanding of principles supporting good leadership. A final exam tests the knowledge elements of the course.
Class Cancellations
We reserves the right to cancel classes that do not reach the minimum enrollment requirements or for extenuating circumstances. Every effort will be made to notify all registrants in a timely manner prior to the class start date. Fees for cancelled classes will be refunded in full or applied to another course upon request.
Student Withdrawals
Students may formally withdraw from a class by contacting us prior to the class start date by telephone, fax, or email. Students and companies are held responsible for courses in which they are registered until they formally withdraw from the course(s) within the refund deadline dates. Please note: Non-attendance does not constitute a formal withdrawal.
Refunds
Students are eligible for a 100% refund less an administrative charge of $40 if they formally withdraw at least five business days prior to the class start date The withdrawal refund may be applied to another course upon request.
Students may transfer to another course right up to the beginning of the original course. Once the original course begins and no transfer request has been made, it is considered a “no show”.
For private group course registrations, companies and groups are eligible for a 100% refund less the administrative charge of $150 if they formally withdraw at least two business days prior to the class start date.
Failure to formally withdraw from a course within the published deadlines above will result in no refund provided.
Students who attend but are unsuccessful in courses are not eligible for refunds.
Course Information
