Outdoor Training Organizations

The organizations below offer at least one type of program to help you develop as an outdoor practitioner and/or leader. The list is not exhaustive and not exclusive. If you know of an organization that offers such training, but is not listed here, please contact us. 

Outdoor Council of Canada

• Algonquin College, in Ontario, trains professional guides through their two year Outdoor Adventure program. 
• Camosun College, in British Columbia, offers a 13-month Post-Degree Diploma in Adventure Education.
  
• Capilano University, in British Columbia, offers a two year Outdoor Recreation Management Diploma.
• Cape Breton University, in Nova Scotia, offers Outdoor Leadership as a focus within a 4 year major and honours program in Sport and Physical Activity Leadership.
  
• The Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, in Quebec, offers a 3 year Adventure Tourism program.  
• Fanshawe College, in Ontario, offers a 16-month Adventure Expeditions and Interpretive Leadership diploma program with industry certifications.
  
• Lakehead University, in Ontario, offers an Outdoor Recreation Park and Tourism program.
• Laurentian University, in Ontario, offers a 4 year Outdoor Adventure Leadership program.
• The Merici College, in Quebec, offers a 3 semester Outdoor Tourism and Ecotourism program.
• Mount Royal University, in Alberta, offers a 4 year Health and Physical Education -Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership program.
• Saint Francois Xavier University, in Nova Scotia, offers a Certificate in Outdoor Education specifically designed for teachers.
• Simon Fraser University, in British Columbia, offers an interactive, online Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE)
• Strathcona Park Lodge, in British Columbia, offers a 3 month Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training Program.
• Thompson Rivers University, in British Columbia, offers a 2 year Adventure Guide Diploma.
• The University of Calgary, in Alberta, offers a 3 term graduate program in Outdoor Education.
• The Université du Québec à Chicoutimi offers a 2 1/2 years bachelor's degree in outdoor leadership.
• The Université du Québec à Chicoutimi also offers a 2 trimester graduate studies diploma in Intervention par la nature et l'aventure (Adventure Therapy, Experiential Education and Corporate Team Building in the outdoors).
• Yukon College offers a 2 year Northern Outdoor and Environmental Studies program.

National Organizations Offering Certifications

• The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides is a national certifying body for climbing, skiing, and hiking guides

• The Interpretive Guides Association has a mission to establish and maintain high standards in heritage interpretation in Canada's mountain parks.
• Paddle Canada has for mission to promote recreational paddling instruction, safety and environmental awareness to all Canadians.
• The Canadian Avalanche Association's mission is to ensure that their diverse membership of avalanche practitioners meets the highest standards, and adhere to best practices to secure the confidence of governments, industry and Canadians.
• The Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors promotes and advance the sports of cross country and telemark skiing in Canada through the provision of high quality instruction.

Provincial Organizations Offering Certifications