Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping Course June 2-4, 2023
Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping Course June 2-4, 2023 (formally known as Paddle Canada Canoe Tripping)
Wilderness Camping is an intermediate camping program aimed at those who already have some front-country camping and paddling experience but would like to learn the competencies necessary for wilderness travel as well as develop basic leadership and risk management skills.
Throughout the course, students will be expected to lead the group in various activities including navigation, meals, and camp set-up and take-down. At the end of this course, the successful student will have a strong camping skill set and can plan and participate in camping trips up to a week long in a wilderness setting. They will be able to provide peer leadership and navigation skills while on the trip.
Prerequisites
- Camping Skills Certification:
- Camping Basics certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
- Paddling Skills Certification:
- A Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Intro or Intermediate or equivalent skills and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
- Other Training:
- Wilderness first aid (minimum 16 hours) is strongly recommended.
- Camping Experience:
- A log demonstrating a minimum of 4 camping trips with a total combination of 8 nights or more camping. It is not necessary that these trips involve paddling.
Course Length
3 days, 2 nights. June 2-4th, 2023. The course starts Friday at 4:00 pm and will finish early afternoon on Sunday.
Course Costs
$445 per person, canoe rental $85 per person, and camping fees of $40 per person. Food is not provided, see below for more information on meal planning.
Course Location
This course will start and finish at the Lumsden Campground. Shuttles will be provided to move the group and equipment back to the campground on Sunday afternoon.
Course Completion
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive your Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping level.
General Learning Topics that will be covered during the course.
This course focuses on intermediate campcraft skills in a wilderness setting and covers the following general topics:
Kitchen & Cooking
- Wilderness Cooking
- Safe Drinking Water
- Campfires
- Personal and Camp Hygiene
- Management of Trip Garbage
- Food Preparation and Packing for Trips
- Menu Design for Longer Trips
Campsite & Gear
- Campsite Selection and Set-up
- Tent & Tarp Set-up
- Choosing Camping Gear and Clothing
- Field Repairs and Maintenance for Gear and Vessels
- First Aid Kits
Camping Skills
- Packing a Vessel
- Vehicle Vessel Tie-down
- Knots
- Portaging Techniques
- Trip Logs
Theory
- Navigation Skills
- Maps and Charts
- Navigation Techniques
- Trip and Route Planning
- Impact of Camping on the Environment
- Weather Interpretation & Basic Forecasting
- Heat and Cold Issues
- Leadership and Decision Making
- Risk Assessment, Management, and Evacuation
- Camping Locations and Resources
- Respect for Wildlife
- Regional Travel Knowledge
- Lake travel
- River travel
A gear list will be provided prior to the course. This course will take place near rural settings, but we will plan, pack, and travel the same as if we are in a remote setting.
Meal Planning – Each participant, or pair of participants will be responsible to submit a meal plan/food plan for a 5-day trip. They will need to pack food for this 3-day, 2-night trip with the following meals. Friday Supper, Saturday breakfast, lunch, supper, Sunday breakfast & lunch. They will also be responsible for packing drinks, snacks, and a camp stove suitable to prepare their meals.
In addition to the meal plan, there are pre-course assignments to be completed, and each participant will be asked to research and present a topic to the group on one of the nights.
