Wilderness  Pursuits  “Not  all  who  wander  are  lost”  

Wilderness  Pursuits  (WP)  is  a  multidisciplinary  program  offered  to  grade  10  students  at  West  Point  Grey  Academy.  WP  integrates  a  dynamic  social  studies  curriculum  (environmental  stewardship,  geography  and  Canadian  history)  with  experiential  outdoor  adventures  throughout  British  Columbia.  Students  must  apply  to  enroll  in  WP,  which  is  a  full-­‐year  course.  (For  application  guidelines,  see  back  page.)    

“Wilderness Pursuits has been the single most valuable course I've taken in my high school career. It is unique to any other classroom course and taught me skills I wouldn't have learned otherwise, including teamwork,

responsibility, perseverance and cooperation.”

- WP Student  

Free  your  mind…  Studying  geology  from  alpine  ridges  in  Wilderness  Pursuits.      

   FIELD  EXPERIENCES  Students  complete  two  multiday  programs  as  well  as  several  afternoon  activities  each  term.  Programs  progress  in  complexity;  activities  and  expeditions  are  purposely  selected  to  optimize  learning  and  geographical  diversity.  To  be  prepared  for  a  range  of  environmental  conditions,  students  are  expected  to  have  appropriate  clothing  and  personal  equipment  in  advance.  An  equipment  list  is  provided  at  the  start  of  the  program.      Field  programs  follow  industry  standards  to  ensure  optimal  supervision  ratios  and  safety:  male  and  female  supervisors  attend  all  overnight  expeditions,  program  leaders  are  trained  in  Wilderness  First  Aid,  and  professional  guides  are  employed  as  necessary  to  provide  the  highest  levels  of  learning  and  safety.                          A  sample  field  program  schedule  for  the  year:  Activity   Duration   Location   Key  Focus  Hike   5  days   Vancouver  

Island  Group   dynamics  and  safety  

Hike   3  days   Stein  Valley  

First   Nations   &  Environment  

Snowshoe   3  days   Garibaldi   Winter  Skills  XC  Ski   3  days   Princeton   Settlement  Cycle   2  days   Victoria   BC  Politics  Sea  Kayak   4  days   Saltspring   Industries  Sea  Kayak   6  days   Quadra   Leadership  

The  Salish  Sea  Students  visit  the  Southern  Gulf  Islands  during  spring  to  explore  the  cultural  history  and  diverse  marine  ecosystem  of  the  area.  

The  Wilderness    

2.   Outdoor   Skills   and  Activities  The  outdoor  skills  component  gives  students  opportunities  to  learn  and  practice  a  range  of  outdoor  pursuits  and  skills,  including  hiking,  low-­‐impact  camping,  snowshoeing,  snow  shelter  building,  avalanche  awareness,  sea  kayaking,  and  basic  navigation  and  route  finding,  on  land  and  on  water.      

1. Canadian   History   and    Geography  

 The  Social  Studies  10  course  focuses  on  the  exploration  and  development  of  British  Columbia.  In  WP,  students  are  provided  opportunities  to  enhance  their  understanding  through  regular  field  studies  and  outdoor  expeditions  throughout  the  year.      

   

Pursuits  focus:    3.   Leadership,   Team-­‐building   and   Personal  Development    Leadership,  team  building  and  personal  development  are  key  themes  that  will  be  explored  throughout  the  year.  Students  are  expected  to  assume  leadership  roles  and  are  encouraged  to  examine  their  strengths  and  weaknesses  in  different  environments.    Working  as  a  team,  WP  students  develop  strong  bonds  

over  the  year,  and  come  to  recognize  the  importance  of  collaboration,  shared  purpose,  personal  responsibility  and  integrity.      

   4.  Environmental  Studies  and  Stewardship  Wilderness  experiences  offer  excellent  opportunities  to  appreciate  the  diversity  and  richness  of  our  surroundings,  including  our  urban  environments.  Through  field  trips,  observations,  research  projects  and  stewardship  initiatives,  students  gain  comprehensive  and  advanced  knowledge  of  our  natural  environment  and  related  issues.      

1

FITNESS  EXPECTATIONS  Students  are  required  to  have  a  basic  level  of  fitness  to  participate  fully  and  safely  in  the  program.  To  assess  one’s  fitness  level,  students  are  encourage  to  hike  the  Grouse  Grind:  those  who  complete  the  challenging  3-­‐kilometre  hike  in  75  minutes  or  less  are  considered  to  have  an  appropriate  fitness  level  for  the  program.        

2

TIME  COMMITTMENTS  Students  are  expected  to  participate  in  all  WP  activities,  including  multiday  excursions.  As  course  participation  affects  academic  grades  and  group  development,  students  must  commit  fully  to  the  course,  which  will  inevitably  conflict  with  other  school  events  and  activities.      Although  we  make  every  effort  to  schedule  activities  during  school  hours,  some  multiday  programs  extend  to  weekends.    WP  programs  typically  include  14  school  days  and  9  weekend  days  during  the  year.  

While  on  program,  students  develop  the  resilience  to  effectively  manage  challenging  situations  

"The most important thing participants can take away from an outdoor

experience is a new and improved version of themselves.” - WP Student

   

Explore.  Dream.  Discover.          -­‐  Mark  Twain    

FINANCIAL  REQUIREMENTS  The  program  cost  is  $650.  This  covers  external  instruction,  transportation,  certification  for  instructional  courses,  gear  and  equipment  rentals,  and  classroom  materials.  Personal  equipment  such  as  hiking  boots  may  also  be  required.        

Each  WP  group  share  their  own  skills  and  passions  to  help  bond  the  group  together    

ACADEMIC  EXPECTATIONS  Students’  academic  records  will  be  considered  when  applying  to  the  program.  Students  are  expected  to  maintain  a  good  academic  standing  throughout  the  year.  Some  academic  classes  will  be  missed  while  on  WP  excursions;  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  student  to  make  up  missed  work  (some  time  will  be  dedicated  to  studying/make-­‐up  tests  during  the  WP  schedule).    

 

 

 

West  Point  Grey  Academy  

4125  West  8th  Avenue  Vancouver,  BC,  V6T  1W2    wpga.ca  

   

HOW  TO  APPLY  Interested  students  must  complete  a  written  application  along  with  two  personal  references.  References  are  to  be  completed  by  a  qualified  adult  who  has  worked  with  the  student  in  a  group-­‐based  setting,  e.g.  coaches,  group  leaders,  teachers,  and  can  attest  to  the  student’s  ability  to  work  well  with  others.    Application  forms  are  available  on  the  website  under  Wilderness  Pursuits.    

   

IMPORTANT  DATES  • Student  Course  Selection  Assembly:  February  17,  2015    

• Parent  Information  Evening:  February  18,  2015  6pm  at  WPGA  

• Applications/references  are  due  by  March  12,  2015  to  Jes  Logher  

 COURSE  CONTACTS  Jes  Logher,  jlogher@wpga.ca  Cameron  Johnston,  cjohnston@wpga.ca