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WILDERNESS OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP FIELDWORK (W.O.L.F.) Ages: 16+ (before June 22)
Length: 8 Weeks
Ratio: 2:8 on trip; 1:8 in camp
Certification: Standard First Aid and FQCK Flat Water 1 & White Water 2
The revamped W.O.L.F. program is a training program designed for people who are passionate about the outdoors and looking to gain experience in back country canoe tripping and guiding. Whether participants are thinking about eventual work as an outdoor professional or simply empowering themselves with the skills and knowledge to thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors, this program will provide participants with formal training and experiential education in order to attain their goals.
APPLYING TO BE A W.O.L.F.
*Please note, the W.O.L.F. program is one of our most popular programs. Our interviews take place during the second half of February. Most summers, once our interviews are completed we do not accept any more registrations for this program.
1. Complete of the Camper Registration form
2. Answer 3 of the following questions* (Please specify which questions you chose)
a) What do you see yourself doing at Kanawana after this program? Why?
b) Why do you want to participate in the W.O.L.F. or L.I.T. program? (Please make sure you specify which program you are choosing)
c) What 3 things are you looking forward to the most next summer at YMCA Kanawana?
d) What do you hope to learn in the program?
3. Upon completion of steps 1 & 2, you will be contacted to have a group and/or individual interview in person. For those people not from Montreal, the interview can be conducted over the phone. Interview dates will be announced in Spring.
*If registration was done online please send responses by email to nicolas.garcia@ymcaquebec.org (subject heading:LIT Application), or by mail with a completed registration form to 1440 Rue Stanley 1st floor, Montreal, Qc, H3A 1P7. PHASE 1- Training
Participants will start their intensive outdoor education training through an intensive two weeks of training at YMCA Kanawana. The first week will be various trainings given by an outdoor professional in which the following topics will be addressed: - Rivers in Canada
- Back country group dynamics management
- Outdoor safety protocols
- Animation and counselling skills
- Basic teaching and facilitation skills
- Animal signs, plant identifications and nature interpretation
- Food and hygiene management
- Equipment repairs and management
- Trip preparation
- And lots more…
The second week of training, participants will take a certified White Water Paddling course, as well as a 16 hour Standard First Aid course.
Phase 2 – Discovery and Experimentation
During the second phase of the program, participants will be given the opportunity to work as a group, preparring and participating in a ten day canoe trip experience. W.O.L.F. participants will be shown how to prepare for a trip from the route selection process right up until the moment of departure. This will be vital skills to be retained as they will be tested throughout the remainder of the program. During the trip W.O.L.F. participants will be shown a series of trip activities and session that are frequently given by Kanawana guides, which will act as a base of activities they can use use later while leading an outdoor canoe trip experience.
Phase 3 – Observation and Assisting
During the third phase of the program, participants will gain direct experience by assisting YMCA Kanawana guides lead campers on a canoe trip . Through the trip experience, directed journaling sessions as well as feedback and evaluation, trainees will gain an understanding of a guide’s role and the logistics involved in organizing canoe expeditions. The focus of the third phase will be on observing the experienced guides in action in order for the participant to gain autonomy and the ability to participate more directly during phase 4.
Phase 4 – Planning and Implementing
During the fourth phase of the W.O.L.F. program, participants put all their newly acquired skills into practice by organizing, planning and executing a canoe expedition under the close supervision and assistance of an experience Kanawana guide. Participants will be encouraged to showcase their newly discovered skills and talents.
Successful W.O.L.F. Program graduates will receive YMCA Kanawana Certification and will be encouraged to apply as trip leaders once all eligibility criteria have been met.
STAFF
The W.O.L.F. Program is led by an experienced lead back country guide, however W.O.L.F. participants will also be able to benefit from the experience of the whole YMCA Kanawana trip team when they are paired on trips. We also invite special guests to teach some of the advanced survival skills such as wild edibles, and the bow drill (making fire without matches).
For more details on our Tripping Safety & the certifications/qualifications of our staff, please consult our Health & Safety page.
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