A Typical Schedule
At a 28-Day Session of
West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training
What can you expect when you sign up for Hooksum's West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training?
Every session of West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training is different.
Just as we cannot predict the exact weather conditions that your session will experience, we cannot predict exactly what your group will look like, where the participants will come from, and what their interests will be. This is one of the great things about West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training! Every session brings something new. You might be working alongside a participant from northern BC, a surfer from Tofino, and someone from downtown Vancouver. Our participants come in all shapes and sizes from all different backgrounds!
And the west coast weather? There are skills to be learned and fun to be had in all different west coast weather conditions.
West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training is 28 days outdoors. In some programs, you learn about the outdoors from inside a classroom; you talk about kayaking and surfing from the comforts of a heated room. Not at Hooksum! At Hooksum, outdoor school means outdoor school.
Each session of West Coast Outdoor Leadership Training includes:
- 7 days (50 hours) of Advanced Wilderness First Aid
The Red Cross certified course includes: situation organization, emergency action principles, initial assessment, emergency medical situations, level of consciousness, head and spine injuries, respiratory management, circulatory management, life threatening bleeding, shock, secondary assessment, force related injuries, heat and cold related injuries, poisons, medical conditions, pressure related injuries, water related injuries, body systems, airway emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, musculoskeletal injuries, soft tissue injuries, and evacuation planning.
- 6 days of sea kayak courses
Paddle Canada Flatwater, Sea Kayaking Level I and Level II courses teach the skills and knowledge for proficient kayaking in calm and moderate seas in sheltered and moderately exposed coastline.
Learn rescue skills such as wet exits, Eskimo rolls, t-rescues, tows and much more; paddling skills like high and low braces, draw strokes, forward and reverse sweep strokes; and gain knowledge of navigation, weather conditions, seamanship and much more.
- 6 days of lifesaving courses
Earn Lifesaving Society certified Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross certifications while learning and practicing your swimming and rescue skills in the waters of Hesquiaht Harbour. Gain confidence and refine your abilities in real life water activities like surfing.
- An overnight hike/paddle
- Opportunity to go on a 24-hour solo
- An 8 hour BOAT course and exam
This course is accredited by the Canadian Coast Guard. Successful completion of the BOAT course and test earns you your Pleasure Craft Operator Card – now required by law for the operation of small craft.
- NEW Maritime Radio Course
At the end of this Canadian Power & Sail Squadron course, participants will be permitted to write the examination for their Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime). Successful completion of the course and exam certifies you to operate VHF, MF and HF Marine Band radios. Certification is required by law for those who operate marine radios.
- Surfing in various locations in the Hesquiaht area
- Hiking some of the coastline of Hesquiaht Harbour
- Learning about the Hesquiaht people and Hesquiaht traditional territories
Hear Hesquiaht stories and histories. Take part in learning activities such as forest walks to identify culturally modified trees and trips to gather seafood and edible plants.