Getting You Ready
For Your Adventure
Canoe Tripping Instructor Course
Packing & Preparedness List
Dear Instructor Candidate:
Thank you for registering for the Advanced Canoe Tripping Instructor Course. We look forward to having you as part of our summer training session. This online information portal has been designed to help you get prepared for your upcoming program with us. Please read it carefully to ensure you are properly packed and that the few pre-course assignments arranged for you are completed prior to your arrival.
This program is very much about providing you with the chance to practice teach some of the Canoe Tripping curriculum and also opportunities to lead the group while on expedition. It is a great forum to see other leaders present the material and to learn new approaches to animating your lessons. Our Instructor Trainers have many decades of experience teaching and traveling in the wilderness.
What Leaders of the Day Provides
Leaders of the Day will ensure that you have all the technical equipment and specialized group gear that you need to safely and comfortably enjoy your adventure with us including: tents, tarps, canoes, First Aid supplies and emergency equipment. We will also provide all of the food for the menu as co-created with you the participants (this will be part of your pre-course work)
On the packing list included in this document, we have outlined the type of clothing that works best in an expedition environment. If you don’t have everything, most of the items are available lightly used at places like value village or alternatively at places like Mountain Equipment Co-op, SAIL, or other outdoor adventure outfitters.
What You Should Bring With You
Our clothing lists have been developed from years of experience spent living and teaching in the outdoors. The clothing list has been designed for your safety and comfort for this particular experience.
To give you an idea of how we dress and pack at Leaders of the Day, think of two sets of clothing: a quick drying “wet” outfit for day wear and a warm “dry” outfit of layers to change into for the evenings and to sleep. Each day you will wear a set of clothes that, despite your best intentions, might get wet to some degree during the course of your planned activities. You may not end up wearing everything on the list, but if some of the weather turns wet or cold, you will be happy that you have it. The key is to be prepared, but remember, we must carry everything we bring.
Weather Conditions for Your Program
It is important that you bring proper clothing to be actively engaged in learning in this fully expeditionary environment. Weather at this time of the year can experience large swings both in conditions and temperature and that is why it is important to bring all of the items that have been outlined. We could experience 30 degrees C one day and also have a night time temperature of only 6-9 degrees C.
Course Start time and Location
Kearney Community Centre / Algonquin Park Office – Kearney, Ontario
Your group will be convoying into the park at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday July 24th. Please arrange to arrive promptly at the Park office parking lot by 9:30 a.m. that day to get your gear loaded and check in. Please follow the link provided for a detailed map and directions. If you are from out of town and are having trouble finding us, please be in touch via our cell phone that morning at: (705) 825-3838.
Here is a link to the meeting place in Kearney: https://goo.gl/maps/QpFczF3b7kB2
A Few Notes about Meals and Snacks
All food, drinks and snacks from lunch on Day 1 until Lunch on Day 4 will be provided as part of your course tuition. We plan all of our menus taking into consideration the dietary concerns (if any) that you may have indicated on your Confidential Medical Disclosure.
Having food or soft drinks in personal effects or in your tent can attract unwanted animal visitors like Bears this time of year that can damage equipment or pose dangerous and unnecessary safety risks for yourself and other program participants.
If you have any questions about your course, please call us Toll Free at: 1-866-576-5323 ext 38
Guide Star Expedition Packing List
| Sport sandals or water shoes (closed toe please) | This should be a pair of footwear with a back strap that can get wet as you get in and out of the canoes and to protect your feet when you swim. Our safety policies require that participants do not walk or swim barefoot. No Crocs / flip flops please. |
|---|---|
| Light runners (Dry shoes) | 1 pair for wearing around the campsite at the end of the day. |
| Wool socks | 2-3 pair of wool or synthetic “work” socks. |
| Warm pants (optional) | 1 pair of Fleece pants. If you are someone who gets cold in the water. |
| Warm Sweaters | 1-2 Sweaters: polyester, wool or Fleece. Try to avoid cotton if you can. |
| Long underwear | 1 set of tops & bottoms: for cool nights or to warm up after being in the water. |
| Rain jacket and pants | The course is entirely expedition-based, so please make sure you are prepared. |
| T-shirts | 2, T-shirts: Cotton or synthetic are both O.K. |
| Shorts | 1-2 pairs: Nylon, or other quick drying fabric. |
| Quick-drying pants | 1-2 pairs: Nylon, Polyester, or other quick-drying fabric. Cotton is not ideal. No jeans of any kind please. |
| Underwear | 3-4 pairs: Cotton is O.K. |
| Sports Bra | 1-2 For women – Cotton is O.K. |
| Swimsuit | Something that is quick drying. |
| 1 Litre Water bottle | Please ensure that you bring 2 bottles. The company Nalgene makes some of the most durable |
| Sun hat | 1 With a brim for sun protection (baseball caps are also O.K.). |
| Warm hat | 1 (wool or fleece) for cool evenings or to warm up after rescue simulations |
| Toiletries | Toothbrush, small toothpaste, and any other “essentials”. Fragrances = bug bites |
| Feminine supplies | Female participants should bring an ample supply (if required) in a Zip Lock bag. |
| Sun screen & lip balm | 1 each: 30 SPF is ideal. Sun exposure can be powerful on the water. |
| Sunglasses & retainer strap | The inexpensive variety with a retainer strap. |
| Head lamp /extra batteries | Important for some of the evening programming / using the washroom after dark. |
| Towel | 1 Small, quick drying sport towel to dry off after swimming or for cleaning up. |
| Camera | Bring a dry bag for cameras. We cannot be responsible for damaged technology. |
| Any personal Medications | As listed on your medical form. |
| Personal Flotation Device | If you have one of your own that you like to wear that complies with Canadian safety standards. No gas inflatables please. If not, please let us know and we will provide one for you. |
| Multi-tool | Some participants like to bring their own pocket knife or multi-tool for some of our skills sessions. This is not a required piece of gear. |
| Light-weight sleeping mattress | *Leaders of the Day will provide you with a simple foam pad for sleeping on. If you would like to bring something a little more comfortable, you are welcome to bring your own light-weight inflatable pad. You will have limited space to pack your gear, so it needs to be light. No air mattresses please. Thermarest makes a GREAT product. |
| Bug Jacket or repellent | If you are sensitive to mosquitoes, there are a number of products on the market to help you forget about them and focus on having a great time. Bug jackets rule. |