Camping Leadership
The Camping Leadership certification is designed to teach advanced leadership, group management, expedition behaviour and campcraft skills in a wilderness setting.
Course Description
Camping Leadership is an intermediate/advanced camping program for those who want to develop their leadership and group management skills. For example: leading groups of adults or children as a formal leader, or informally among friends and family.
General Learning Outcome
At the end of this program, the successful participant will be able to take a formal leadership role in the planning and execution of a recreational camping trip, provided the participant has also achieved the Paddle Canada certification appropriate to the vessels used and expected conditions of said trip.
Throughout the course, participants will be expected to take on leadership roles in various activities such as trip preparation, extended scenarios, group decision making, advanced navigation, meals, etc.
Prerequisites
Age
At least 18 years of age.
Camping Skills Certification
Wilderness Camping certification, or equivalent experience and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
Paddling Skills Certification
A Paddle Canada skills course appropriate to the vessel used and conditions on which the camping course takes place, as outlined by the course director, or equivalent skills and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
Other Certifications
Current certification in wilderness first aid (minimum 16 hours) is strongly recommended.
Leave No Trace training strongly recommended.
Camping Experience
Minimum of four logged camping trips with a combined 12 nights or more of camping in a wilderness environment. Two of the logged trips need to be a minimum of four days each. It is not necessary that any of the logged trips involve paddling.
Certification Expiry
Upon successful completion, this certification is valid so long as the participant also holds current certifications in wilderness first aid (minimum 16 hour) and the Paddle Canada skills certification appropriate to the vessels used and expected trip conditions.
Course Length
If this course is offered as a stand-alone program, then the course length will be a minimum of 32 hours of instruction (4 days) including a 3-night camping trip. Due to the nature of this program and to provide ample opportunity for each participant to practice leadership skills, this course might need to be extended for larger classes.
If this course is offered in conjunction with another Paddle Canada paddling course (for example, Stand Up Paddleboard Advanced Flatwater skills) then the course length will be the total length of the two courses combined. For example, if the other paddling skills course is normally 2 days long then the total teaching days would be 6 days.
Course Presentation and Ratios
Camping Leadership Instructors may choose to offer the Camping Leadership course either:
- as simply a Camping Leadership course, using canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddleboards for travel, or
- in conjunction with a Paddle Canada paddling skills course (for example, combine Camping Leadership with Introduction to Lakewater Canoe to create a “Camping Leadership Canoe Camping Course.”
If this course is offered as the Camping Leadership course alone, then the instructor-to-participant ratio will match the ratio of the corresponding Paddle Canada skills course, based on the paddling discipline and the water classification. For example, if the participants are in tandem canoes on class 1 moving water, then the instructor to participant ratio will be the same as the Introduction to Moving Water Tandem Canoe skills course ratio which is 1:8.
If this course is offered in conjunction with a Paddle Canada paddling skills course, then the instructor-to-participant ratio will match the ratio of the paddling skills course offered.
Camping Leadership Instructors must also be a Paddle Canada instructor for the paddling discipline and the water classification.
If a qualified assistant is present on the course, then that number of participants present can be increased by two. For example, a course with an instructor-to-participant ratio of 1:8 becomes 1 instructor + 1 assistant for 10 participants (1+1:10).
A maximum of two assistant instructors can be present on this course.
Minimum Staff and Certification
One Camping Leadership Instructor is required to teach this course.
Any assistants must be at least a Wilderness Camping Instructor.
Environmental Conditions and Water Classification
The location and environment conditions for this course cannot exceed the skill level of the participants or certification level of instructors. For example, instructors must hold current conditions-appropriate moving water instructor certification to offer this program in a moving water setting. Likewise, participants should also have certification in, or equivalent experience with, conditions-appropriate moving water.
Please see Water Class Definitions for a specific description of all water classifications.
Assessment
Assessment at this level occurs throughout the program as the instructor observes the participants performance of each skill and overall development as a camper and leader.
A written test is required; the participant must achieve a mark of 80% to pass.
Learning Outcomes
This course focuses on outdoor leadership skills in a wilderness setting including:
Wilderness Camping Skills and Theory Review
The participant will demonstrate skills taught in the Wilderness Camping level including (but not limited to):
- wilderness cooking,
- campfires,
- heat and cold issues as well as hypo/hyperthermia symptoms and treatment, and
- Leave No Trace and respect for wildlife.
Kitchen and Cooking
Food Preparation and Packing for Trips
The participant will:
- develop a balanced menu and shopping list for a hypothetical 5-day trip that addresses nutrition and caloric concerns for a group of 10 people,
- demonstrate knowledge of food portion sizes that are appropriate to the energy needs of the campers and minimizes food waste, and
- demonstrate knowledge of food preservation for extended trips including (but not limited to) dehydration and freeze dried.
Strategies for Food Storage
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of common strategies for food storage including (but not limited to) hanging food, bear fences, storage in compartments (for example, bear boxes or kayaks).
Campsite and Gear
First Aid Kits
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of how to assemble an appropriate first aid and medications kit for group travel.
Equipment Repair
The participant will participate in complex scenarios related to in-camp or on-water repairs where the group is in a remote or wilderness setting. Examples of repairs could include torn coat or tent fly, zipper breaks, stove or water filter maintenance and repairs.
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of how to assemble a basic gear repair kit appropriate for group travel.
Tarps and Shelters
The participant will:
- demonstrate how to set-up an effective shelter in an environment with little or no trees, and
- demonstrate knowledge of emergency shelters for longer-term use (for example, waiting for a rescue).
Ditch Kits
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of how to build a ditch kit and what to include in it tailored for the environment they are travelling through.
Communication, Signalling and Technology
The participant will discuss effective methods of communication within the group, and communication or emergency notification for outside the group. Examples of communication technology could include satellite phones, personal locator beacons, VHF radios, satellite, whistle signals, visual signals, messengers, and flares.
Camping Skills
Securing a Vessel on a Vehicle and Trailer
The participant will:
- demonstrate how to securely tie down a vessel on the roof of a vehicle,
- demonstrate how to securely tie down a vessel and secure a load on a trailer, and
- understand the importance of even loading and aerodynamics.
Trip Logs
The participant will:
- maintain a daily written trip log that includes topics such as navigation notes, weather (for example, forecasts, reports, observations), significant events (for example, launching and landing, alternative sites, water sources, etc.), any unusual incidents, accidents or near-misses, and
- demonstrate knowledge of the value of maintaining a log of all trips, including but not limited to legal implications, learning opportunities and contributing to the broader knowledge base.
Theory
Trip Planning
The participant will develop a detailed plan for a hypothetical trip of 8-10 participants in which the participant is the organizer. The plan should cover topics such as proposed route, menu, gear lists, budget, transportation logistics and risk management plan.
Navigation Skills and Techniques
The participant will demonstrate navigation skills covered in Wilderness Camping but with a higher degree of proficiency and confidence.
Using a map or chart, the participant will identify significant features along the route including prominent navigational features appropriate for piloting, alternate landing and camping sites, likely sources of water, and potential hazards.
The participant will demonstrate with confidence the following navigation skills:
- take a minimum of three bearings from a map or chart,
- identify significant features along the route including prominent navigational features appropriate for piloting, alternate landing and camping sites, likely sources of water, and hazards,
- the use of piloting (including handrails, backstops and ranges) as well as deduced reckoning,
- calculate each: speed, time, and distance,
- best practices to implement when you are lost including (but not limited to) the STOP method (Stop, Think, Observe and Plan), and
- use a GPS to calculate position and navigate to a nearby waypoint.
Incident Management and Evacuation Options
The participant will:
- effectively lead the group in progressively more challenging scenarios, requiring comprehensive incident responses, up to the point of transfer of care,
- demonstrate how to perform a basic missing person search (for example area surrounding a campsite or along a portage trail),
- demonstrate knowledge of what to do if you get lost (for example, Hug-a-tree or stay in place) and can effectively pass that information along to their charges,
- demonstrate knowledge of various procedures for evacuation as well as how to summon outside help (Canadian Coast Guard, Police or local search and rescue), and
- develop an emergency response plan suitable for a group trip.
Risk Assessment and Management
The participant will:
- demonstrate during scenarios the practical application of various risk management frameworks, and the ability to identify, classify the severity of, and respond to various risks associated with on-water travel in challenging circumstances, or in a wilderness environment,
- demonstrate an effective, risk aware approach to leadership and camping in remote environments,
- exercise strong leadership on and off the water, including the ability to manage and resolve inter-group conflict,
- lead the group in progressively more challenging scenarios, requiring comprehensive incident responses, up to the point of transfer of care,
- consistently demonstrate safe leadership in an advanced, dynamic wilderness environment, and
- demonstrate the attributes of effective expedition behaviour.
Debrief with participants their planning and response decisions and actions for further learning.
Leadership Skills and Group Decision Making
The participant will:
- consistently demonstrate safe leadership in an advanced, dynamic wilderness environment,
- demonstrate strong leadership on and off the water, including the ability to manage and resolve inter-group conflict,
- demonstrate strong leadership during a crisis,
- engage in decision making independently and with the group, make sound decisions while leading to maintain a safe trip,
- anticipate and articulate potential incidents to avoid or respond to as necessary, and
- demonstrate strong leadership ethics.
Some examples of effective leadership include the ability to:
- communicate with the group to establish and maintain a float plan.
- clearly articulate to the group changes to the planned route while out on the water.
- effectively position themselves in the group to assist or manage any incidents that might take place on the water.
- effectively monitor other members of the group to aid as necessary.
- demonstrate various types of leadership styles based on the situation or group needs. Some leadership types could include autocratic, democratic or abdicratic,
- works well within the group and be an active and positive participant while not in charge.
See Outdoor Leadership Resources for more resources and further learning.
Expedition Behaviour and Group Dynamics
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of expedition behaviour and apply them throughout the course.
The participant will demonstrate knowledge of various techniques to defuse or mitigate group conflict including how group composition (for example, odd/even numbers of participants, stranger’s vs friends on trips, etc.) and camping/travelling style (for example, speed, daily mileage goals, rough water/flatwater trips) can be a potential contributor to group conflict.
Conflict is a natural and expected outgrowth of living and travelling with others and understanding the origins, signs, and symptoms of conflict can help mitigate its severity and escalation.
See Expedition Behaviour Resources for more information and learning resources on expedition behaviour.
Self-Care
The participant will:
- demonstrate that their equipment and personal gear is both appropriate, organized and in good condition,
- demonstrate the knowledge and skills to keep warm and dry throughout the course,
- practice effective energy and time management skills, and
- establish an appropriate personal pace.
Group Care
The participant will:
- demonstrate excellent group awareness skills and the ability to monitor the group members regarding heat/cold issues, emotional state, pace, and energy levels,
- mitigate group conflict,
- apply techniques and best practices for managing a group on the water, and
- demonstrate knowledge of the use of comfort zones and challenge by choice to enhance participants learning.
Weather Interpretation and Forecasting
Expanding on the weather material introduced in Wilderness Camping, the participant will demonstrate knowledge of following topics:
- How weather systems develop and interact on both a local and regional scale.
- Wind and its effects against various shorelines or currents and its effect on the paddler.
- Understand backcountry lightning risk management and mitigation.
The participant will:
- be able to practically apply weather observations or forecasts and integrate them into both route planning and group decision making,
- maintain a log of weather predictions and subsequent observations to be shared with the instructor at end of course.
Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations
The participant will:
- demonstrate knowledge of the Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations as they pertain to canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards, and
- explain what is meant by a “guided excursion” in regards to the Transport Canada regulations as well as how to comply with the regulations.