Adventure Tourism Business Diploma

Program Outline - Adventure Tourism Business Diploma

The Adventure Tourism Business Diploma combines the Microsoft Office Business Program and the Adventure Tourism Diploma.

Strata - IT Fundamentals

A new certification that will assist you in developing knowledge required working in a technical environment. The Strata program provides knowledge on working within the computer and network environment. Students learn basic fundamentals of PC components, workstation setup, software installation, security risks and prevention, Green IT, preventative maintenance, networking and troubleshooting. These are valued, in-demand skills that employers look for when hiring employees who can “hit the ground running.”

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

This program is the only comprehensive, performance-based certification program approved by Microsoft to validate desktop computer skills using the Microsoft Office 2007 programs:

•Microsoft Word

•Microsoft Excel

•Microsoft Outlook

•Microsoft PowerPoint

The Office Specialist program provides computer program literacy, measures proficiency, and identifies opportunities for skills enhancement. Students have the option of writing their MOS exams to earn an Office Specialist certificate that sets them apart from their peers in the competitive job market (additional "reduced" exam fees apply at CTC's IT Academy rates). The certificate is a valuable credential recognized worldwide, as proof that an individual has the desktop computing skills needed to work more productively and efficiently.

Business Communications

A vital component of any technical software program is the application of the new skills. With this mandate, CTC includes a Business Communications module as part of the overall program. Studies include understanding the foundations of business communication, the writing process, speaking and listening skills, report and proposal writing, effective presentation skills and working as a team and conflict resolution.

Study Skills

Student will be introduced to a better understanding of how to study. They will learn the ability to set short-term and long-term goals and to design a plan of study that leads to short-term goals. Students will also be learning strategies and techniques to improve memory retention, and understanding how people learn, note-taking techniques for reading and listening, techniques for building and developing retention of daily lessons, skills in following instructions, search techniques, types of learning and use of feedback, test-taking techniques, and the ability to incorporate constructive criticism into study practice.

Adventure Courses

The Adventure Tourism Business Diploma prepares individuals to work outdoors with groups of people in the Adventure Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism sectors. Working in this setting involves organizing, facilitating and implementing experiences for clients and tourists. These experiences could last a day exploring the wetlands or a month sea kayaking off the West Coast. The Adventure Tourism industry is exciting, and careers require skills in problem solving, customer relations, logistics and communications. These courses are designed to you give hands-on experience through practical training with tourism and recreation companies and professionals. Training within this program prepares you for opportunities and employment in this field, and we make sure you have the certification and skills needed for continued success.

Courses in this Diploma

Leading Wilderness Trips
Starting and Operating Tourism Businesses
Ocean Kayaking
Avalanche Awareness
River Rafting
Natural History & Wilderness Environments
Heritage Interpreter
Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Marine Radio Operator Licence

Certificates available in this Diploma

Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Assistant Ocean Kayak guide
Avalanche Skills Training
Marine Radio Operators
River Rafting Guide School

Career Opportunities

Some of the careers and opportunities available following the Adventure Tourism Business Diploma are:

Ocean Kayak Guide
River Guide
Heritage Interpreter
Mechanized Guide
Tour Organizer
Operation Administrator
Tour Guide
Educator and Trainer

Required Textbooks

All required textbooks and written materials are included in this program. Students may be required to purchase extra logbooks at approximately $6 CDN each, although the first logbook is provided.

Equipment

The Adventure Program is designed to allow students to acquire the necessary equipment during the stages of the courses It is not necessary to possess all of the equipment to the course, however students must have the means to make acquisitions as the course progresses. Students will assemble their equipment as per their needs and future career direction.

Required Equipment

This equipment is required for the program and can be acquired during the first 3 weeks of the program.)

1 litre wide mouth, well sealing water bottle
Pocket-knife
Headlamp & spare batteries (flashlight acceptable)
Compass (sighting mirror optional)
Sunglasses with good UV protection
Watch
2 quick dry underwear (tops & bottoms)
logbook
2 heavy fleece (not sweatshirts)
2 pairs long pants - 1 nylon & 1 fleece (no cotton or denim)
Waterproof jacket with hood
Sunhat with visor
Fleece gloves or mittens, hat, neck tube (scarf)
Hiking boots - sturdy ankle support
Lightweight shoes, runners
2 pair synthetic socks (no cotton)
Down jacket

Required - optional ownership - Equipment

This equipment is needed for certain sections of the program and can be alternatively rented or borrowed as needed.

Backpack - 60 to 80 litres
Sleeping bag - mummy style - good to -15c
Sleeping pad - closed foam or ThermoRest
Single burner gas stove - white gas is best
Fuel bottles - 1x1 litres
Lightweight, backpack style cookware
Winter camp booties (down or synthetic)
Wet suit - farmer john/jane style
Rain hat (wide brim style recommended)

Students will require regular scholastic materials including a calculator, pens, pencils, and notebooks. An email address is required for this program.

Program Duration

The Adventure Tourism Business Diploma program is 29 weeks in length and is comprised of 775 hours of training time.

Homework Hours

Students can expect 4 hours of homework per week.

Delivery Methods

The Adventure Program is delivered on site at the Canadian Tourism College Campus. This course frequently participates in one day field trips and one 8 day field trip.

Instructional Methods

The following instructional methods are used in varying proportions during the course:

Group work
Lecture
Presentations
Homework
Self-directed research
Workshops
Role Playing

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Adventure Tourism Business Diploma students will be able to:

Plan, organize and facilitate ocean kayaking expeditions and trips
Interpret wilderness and historical information and features in an educational and interesting manner
Understand, identify and relate wilderness environments to outdoor activities and use
Assess and implement strategies to reduce and examine inherent physical risks
Create and examine new business opportunities
Manage and evaluate business operations as they pertain to tourism operations
Identify and categorize flora and fauna for the purposes of relating information
Understand, examine and assess river-based activities in terms of guest experiences and difficulties
Indentify, and interpret avalanche information as it pertains to back country travel
Assume the role of first aid attendant in a wilderness setting
Indentify and evaluate new trends and products in the Adventure Tourism industry

Student Progress / Assessment

Assessment and progress is measured using the following:

Presentations
Practical Exams
Written Exams
Projects

An overall average of 70% in each program area must be maintained to successfully complete the program.

Attendance

Students are expected to maintain regular and full time attendance.

Dress Expectations

Students are encouraged to maintain casual business attire suitable for the adventure tourism industry. During field trips, students are expected to maintain appropriate attire for the outdoor environments.