Outdoor Council of Canada, Field Leader Course
The Field leader Course is designed to teach leaders basic techniques to facilitate day trips into none challenging class 1 terrain . It is conceived and developed by the OCC and all the reading materials and class instructions are crafted to make an exciting and packed learning experience.
This two day program guides participants through the process of designing trips which meet client expectations while consistently working well within the instructors abilities and understanding their “Scope of Practice”.
The course teaches the stages of preparing the program from creating a workable “vision” to working with “Stake Holders “ like land managers, transport systems and search and rescue.
Understanding “Risk and Probability of Hazard” is key to management while having many layers of “Defenses“ for issues that might develop.
The ability to review, process and learn from each experience is taught as key for future personal and program development.
How the OCC breaks down the program:
• Participant centered: Foundational concept supporting the creation of ‘quality events’. Students understand that the needs of participants must come first and ‘Field Leaders’ must plan ‘events’ accordingly.
• Scope of Practice: Students understand the scope of practice and its limitations. Field Leaders are certified for three seasons day hikes in Class 1 terrain only. They must operate under a risk management plan, be supervised and have visited the venue in the past 12 months. Field Leaders with additional experience can go into higher class terrain after validation by other respected outdoor leaders.
• Motivation: Students understand how their ‘motivations’ influence their choices before and during ‘events’ and how to choose ‘motivations’ that support ‘quality’.
• Vision: Students understand the importance of setting clear ‘objectives’ and effectively assessing ‘participants’ capabilities, ‘activity’ choices and ‘venue’ features. Students can balance and integrate these elements for their event.
• Hazards/Defenses: Students understand the connection between size of risk, probability and consequence. Students can also recognize how planning, ‘group 10 management’, environmental conditions and decisions influence their ‘vulnerability’ and ‘resilience’. Students understand the connection between ‘terrain class’, complexity and size of risk.
• Building teams: Students understand that many ‘stakeholders’ are connected to their events and that collaboration is essential.
• Event plan: Students understand the importance of creating a clear document presenting their event.
• Last minute checks: Students understand key elements to check before the event (equipment, weather, logistics, etc.). Students can also recognize weather changes bringing the ‘event’ beyond their ‘Scope of Practice’.
• Leave No Trace: Students understand the connection between proper ‘event’ planning and reducing their impact on the natural environment.
• Field session: Students understand ‘situational awareness’ (physical, emotional, environmental) and can apply foundational ‘group management’ techniques (pacing, monitoring, clear communication, etc.).
• Unexpected situations: Students understand the need to design and bring a relevant emergency response plan and proper communication tools.
Reflection: Students understand that reflection is an essential process for growth. Reflection can be done with oneself, the field team, ‘participants’ and the organization.
• Event cycle: Students understand the flow of the ‘event cycle’. Planning promotes event delivery, which informs the ‘reflection’ and helps future ‘planning’. This cycle used in conjunction with ‘participant centered’ planning promotes ‘quality events’.
Course Dates: Start time is 08:30. Finish is at 16:30
Cost: $240 plus GST payed here for the course + $45 OCC Registration Fee/one year membership = Total of $297
Once you have enrolled I will send a link for course location and pre reading materials that includes a Student Welcome Letter, Student Manual, Quizzes, Activities Booklet and Field Guide.
This program provides a Field Leader (Hiking) certification, which included a 1 year membership with the OCC.
Our Cancellation Policy is different for all trips. DSK Guiding wants to give you opportunity and freedom to change plans. However, organizing and running trips does involve our financial commitment. We will always strive to fill a vacated trip placement and provide a 95% refund (less any banking related fees, 5% held to cover administrative costs). Your happiness with any of our services is most important.
We reserve the right to cancel or change a booking or trip at any time before the start date with a 100% refund (less any banking related administrative fees) to the customer. DSK Guiding cannot be held accountable for any expenses incurred due to trip cancellations or changes. We recommend you consider purchasing 3rd party trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself from unforeseeable issues.
Course Cancellations:
Time of purchase until 24 hours before the trip’s start time: 95% refunded (less any banking related administrative fees, 5% held to cover administrative costs).
Less than 24 hours before the start time of a trip: No refund guaranteed