Paddle Canada Manuals

Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer

This mentorship process provides national certification in the instruction and administration of the Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping Instructor course.

Discipline: Camping Stream: Instructor Trainer Development

Mandate of the Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer

The Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer is certified to:

  • conduct Paddle Canada Camping Basics Instructor and Wilderness Camping Instructor courses, and certify instructors at those levels, and
  • mentor Paddle Canada Camping Basics Instructor Trainer apprentices.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites must be completed before applying to become a Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer.

Age

At least 18 years of age.

Membership

Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial/Territorial membership (where required).

Skills Certification

Camping Leadership skills course.

Instructor Certification

Camping Leadership Instructor course.

Instructor Trainer Certification

Successful completion of Basic Camping Instructor Trainer apprenticeship.

Teaching Experience

Taught four or more Wilderness Camping skills courses with at least three participants in each course.

Instructor Trainer Experience

Taught two or more Camping Basic instructor courses with at least three participants in each course.

Minimum Course Length

The Instructor Trainer Candidate must apprentice on a minimum of two Wilderness Camping Instructor courses. The candidate can work with the same Instructor Trainer mentor on both courses.

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Camping Leadership Instructor Trainer is required to assess a Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer candidate.

Class Ratio

One Instructor Trainer can mentor up to two apprentices at a time so long as there is only one candidate participating in their second (or final) apprenticeship. During a final apprenticeship, it is expected that the IT candidate will teach the majority of the course.

Course Location

Appropriate to a Wilderness Camping skills course.

Environmental Conditions and Water Classification

Environmental conditions must match those outlined in the Wilderness Camping course syllabus.

General Policies and Procedures

Please refer to the Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer Development Manual for all general policies, development process and Instructor Trainer certification maintenance requirements.

Wilderness Camping IT Apprenticeship and Assessment

Assessment occurs on an ongoing basis throughout the mentorship process. The instructor trainer apprentice must assist on at least two Wilderness Camping Instructor courses. After each course, the IT Mentor will promptly submit an evaluation form online. If more than one instructor trainer is involved with the assessment, they will each submit an evaluation online.

Published: January 7, 2025 Last updated: April 30, 2026