Expedition Camping Module

This module can be appended to either a Wilderness Camping or Camping Leadership skills course. It is not tracked by the Paddle Canada database, so the Course Director is encouraged, when registering the course, to note in the “Additional Comments” section that the Expedition Camping Module is included in that course.

Module Description

Expedition Camping adds expedition-specific knowledge and skills for those who want to participate in longer camping trips (for example 14 days or more). It is appropriate to add it to the Wilderness Camping skills or Camping Leadership skills courses.

General Learning Outcome

At the end of this program, the successful participant will possess the skills and knowledge needed for longer camping trips.

Prerequisites

Refer to the prerequisites for the skills course to which this module is attached; either Wilderness Camping or Camping Leadership.

Module Length

A minimum of four hours of instruction shall be added to the course length of the skills course to which this module is attached; either Wilderness Camping or Camping Leadership.

Module Presentation and Ratios

Refer to the Presentation and Ratios section for the skills course to which this module is attached; either Wilderness Camping or Camping Leadership.

Minimum Staff and Certification

The Expedition Module can be taught by any current Wilderness or Leadership instructor who has been the trip leader on at least two 14-day expeditions.

Refer to the Minimum Staff and Certification for the skills course to which this module is attached; either Wilderness Camping or Camping Leadership.

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 of this module occurs throughout the program as the instructor observes the participant’s performance of each skill and overall development as a camper. A written test is not required.

Module Learning Outcomes

Food and Wilderness Cooking

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of the organization and execution of food drops or caches along the route of an extended trip,
• demonstrate how to bake in the outdoors using at least two different methods,
• develop a balanced menu and budget for a hypothetical 14-day expedition that takes nutrition and caloric concerns for a group of 4 people, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of bulk food (food packed by weight) versus individually packaged meals.

Navigation Techniques

The participant will apply knowledge of and demonstrate practical navigation skills including:

• deduced reckoning as well as basic triangulation techniques, and
• practical techniques for navigating in poor visibility (for example, fog or limited light).

Expedition Planning and Logistics

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of:

• working with and organizing unique transportation to the put-in including float planes or water taxis,
• shipping boats, gear, and weapons including the potential logistical issues of firearms and ammunition,
• use of archived trip logs or first-hand local information from a non-paddler as a source of information for research or lessons-learned,
• methods for efficient information sharing among the group in relation to trip planning. These could include (but not limited to) the internet, Google Maps, weather forecasting services, etc., and
• trip planning techniques where there is a lack of resources or knowledge including poor or outdated maps, limited online resources or local knowledge.

Leadership and Long-term Crisis Management

The participant will:

• participate as both a leader and group member in various extended scenarios. Scenarios should be realistic in the context of a wilderness expedition including (but not limited to):
  • a group split due to an unexpected incident or group breakdown,
  • dealing with a member of a group who walks away, and
  • a lost group member.
• state the importance and emotional benefits of debriefing the incident as well as the potential for emotional damage if done incorrectly,
• give examples of various potential strategies for debriefing and dealing with an incident after the fact, and
• demonstrate knowledge of how to deal with a death on a trip. Topics could include:
  • the importance of dealing with the group’s emotions, and
  • the practical aspects of recovering and returning the body home.