Diploma in Outdoor Adventure
Pembroke, Canada
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 20,395
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Prepare for an exciting leadership role with a career in the outdoors.
The two-year Outdoor Adventure Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for working in the outdoors, leading adventure trips, and teaching outdoor skills. Half of your time in the program is spent outdoors, in a variety of locations and adventure operations, including our partner training location at Wilderness Tours. The other half takes place at Algonquin College`s Waterfront Campus.
Complete technical training in various land-based activities from mountain biking and rock climbing to skiing and ice climbing. You also build guiding ability in water-based activities, such as:
- Whitewater rafting
- Kayaking
- Canoe tripping
This program is built around an adventure tourism and small business management curriculum, with classroom courses in:
- Risk management
- Business management
- Ecotourism
- Human resources
- Computer applications
Participate in one expedition per term, including a graduating project that you plan and execute with a group of classmates.
Benefit from the opportunity to earn up to 20 industry certifications, such as:
- Wilderness First Responder - 80 hours First Aid
- Swift Water Rescue Technician and Operator
- Canoe Instructor
- Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- Leave-no-trace Master Educator
- Cycle Tour Guide
- Occupational Health and Safety and WHMIS
- Downhill ski, Snowboard or Nordic ski instructor
Ideal Students
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Enjoy a hands-on approach to learning outdoor adventure skills and the outdoor adventure tourism industry
- Enjoy being outside and being challenged physically and mentally
- Are committed to guiding and teaching others in a variety of outdoor environments and adventure activities
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- DAT7110 Computer Applications
- ENL7777 Communications I
- MKT7200 Marketing the Tourism Experience
- OAD7103 Outdoor Expedition
- OAD7104 Fall Camp
- OAD7109 Camp Craft
- OAD7110 River Rescue I
- OAD7111 Whitewater Kayak I
- OAD7112 River Rafting I
- OAD7114 Flatwater Canoeing
- OAD7115 Cross Country Cycling I
- OAD7126 Rock Climbing I
- OAD7200 Outdoor Adventure Leadership
Level 02
- ACC7200 Accounting
- ENL7655 Communication for the Outdoor Adventure Workplace
- OAD7202 Winter Expedition
- OAD7213 Nordic Skiing I
- OAD7216 Ice Climbing I
- OAD7217 Wilderness First Aid Skills
- OAD7218 Risk Management - Outdoor Adventure
- OAD7220 Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding I
- Elective: choose 1
- OAD7108 Ecology
- OAD7128 Ecology and Marine Ecosystems
Level 03
- MGT7230 Human Resources
- OAD7307 Sea Kayak Expedition
- OAD7400 The Outdoor Adventure Industry
- Elective: choose 3
- OAD7342 Raft Guide - Paddle and Oar Rig
- OAD7343 Rock Climbing II
- OAD7344 Canoe Guiding
- OAD7345 Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- OAD7350 Backpacking Guide
- OAD7351 Mountain Bike Guide
- OAD7352 Cycle Touring Guide
- OAD7353 Multi-Day Whitewater Guide
- Elective: choose 1
- OAD7107 Understanding the Natural Environment
- OAD7127 Geotourism and the Natural Environment
Level 04
- MGT7422 The Business of Outdoor Adventure
- MKT7321 Digital Marketing for Outdoor Adventure
- OAD0007 Mental Health First Aid Skills
- OAD7401 Advanced Expedition
- OAD7403 Wilderness First Responder Recertification
- OAD7413 Introduction to Mountain Rescue
- OAD7450 Graduate Portfolio
- Elective: choose 2
- OAD7408 Advanced Trail Design
- OAD7416 Ice Climbing II
- OAD7440 Rope Rescue
- OAD7446 Terrain Park Operations
- OAD7447 Sports Injury Management
- OAD7452 Advanced Bicycle Mechanic
- OAD7454 Ski Patrol
- OAD7455 Zipline
- Elective: MUST choose one
- ENV0003 Rain Forest and Tropical Science
- OAD7405 Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
- Elective: MUST choose one
- OAD7433 Alpine Ski II
- OAD7434 Snowboard II
- OAD7439 Nordic Ski Instructor
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Assess risk and exposure, manage liability, and create systems consistent with leading risk management practices
- Lead others by leveraging interpersonal ability, group management tools, and sound decision-making and judgment
- Consistently demonstrate professional communication strategies, including written, spoken, and digital applications
- Instruct outdoor technical skills
- Initiate an effective and methodical response to emergency and rescue scenarios
- Build technical skills and acquire industry-recognized certifications
- Incorporate environmental awareness and sustainability into outdoor and business practices
- Identify and develop business and management strategies to capitalize on opportunities in the adventure industry
- Plan and manage adventure-based trips, events, and programs
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment across Canada and around the world. The combination of technical skills certification, leadership, risk management, and industry and business study create multiple career paths and graduates that are in demand. Entry-level positions, such as wilderness trip leaders, kayak guides, ski patrol, climbing, or snowboard instructors are seasonal in nature and are combined to create year-round work and travel opportunities. Parallel industry positions may include outdoor education, logistics planning, and support.
With relevant field experience, graduate training may allow them to move to senior and guide manager positions, such as ski school director, terrain park manager, or program coordinator. Several graduates have purchased an existing business or started their own adventure company, ranging from whitewater rafting to international adventure travel. The Outdoor Adventure program has built a reputation for high-quality graduates.
English Language Requirements
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