OCC Instructor Course

Prerequisites: Individuals who have an extensive base of outdoor leadership experience and can act as mentors to other leaders are great candidates to become an OCC instructor. Such people have significant experience in teaching and facilitating outdoor experiences for others as well as experience with the following: selection and training of field staff, creation and implementation of program activities, monitoring and management of program quality, organization of logistical support for field operations, and Record Keeping.

Certification: Successful graduates will receive at an OCC Instructor ‘Hiking” license and may be licensed to teach additional Field Leader courses. This means that by taking the OCC Instructor course, individuals with the required prior experience can acquire multiple licenses such as; FL (Equine), FL (Paddling), FL (Winter), FL (Overnight) and GO (Maps and Compass) courses. Course performance, field experience and certifications received will determine which additional licenses a graduate will receive.

To Apply: https://outdoorcouncil.ca/courses/become-an-instructor/instructor-candidate-application/

Expect this stage to take 10-14 business days. You will be notified when your application status is finalized. 

To Register: If your application is approved, you will be contacted with a registration link. If there are no courses being offered at that time, you will be kept in a database that will help us set up courses in the future. 

Pre-Course Preparation: Once you have registered for an Instructor Course you will be sent an email containing a link to the courses assignments and resources. Instructor Candidates are expected to read the appropriate material and complete the pre-course questions. The Instructor Examiner will assign each candidate one of the Field Leader lessons to teach during the course. Lesson plans, power points and other resources will be made available (through the same link) to assist with your lesson planning and preparation. 

Course Duration: 16 hours over two days

Course Format: The course is usually split between in-class learning (65%) and field exercises (35%). The learning format will be primarily guided experiential learning. 

Course Content: Instructor candidates will become familiar with the Field Leader Hiking content as well as how to deliver the course material using a variety of teaching and facilitation methods and techniques. The course will also include; the mechanics and logistics of administering a Field Leader course and the evaluation policies and procedures.

Cancellation Policy: There will be no cancellation fee for COVID-19 related cancellation or postponement. Otherwise, there is a $15 administration fee to cancel up to 7 days prior to the start of the course. No refund available after 7 days prior.

For More Information:  program.coordinator@outdoorcouncil.ca