What is the difference between the Tripping 1 and Tripping 2 course?

Tripping 1 teaches you how to plan a trip, navigate, camp in an environmentally friendly way and trip in a safe manner. The Tripping 1 course is suitable for those who go on trips with friends and need to know the essentials of wilderness canoeing.

The Tripping 2 course is for those who want to guide trips for camps or other commercial organizations. It is also a great course for those who really want a complete set of tripping skills. Risk Management, Crisis Management and Leadership are key topics for this course.

Do I need to have all my prerequisites?

We believe if you want to be a competent trip leader you must be the most experienced, the best trained, and the best paddler in your group. You owe it to yourself and the group you are leading.

You should have your Moving Water 1A, Lakewater 1A and at least 500km of canoe trip leadership experience. The Moving Water 1A and Lakewater 1A can be waived if you feel you have exceptional skills and experience in these areas. If you do not have those certifications, we will do a check out on the trip to see if you are paddling at those levels. If you are weak in some areas we may ask you to get certified in either Moving Water 1A or Lakewater 1A to get your Tripping 2 award.

Some people take the course only to learn the skills and are not interested in the certification. They are welcome to take the course without the prerequisites.

How do I prove I have 500km or more of canoe tripping experience? I did not keep a formal log.

We use the honour system. All you need to do is send us a list of trips you have taken that add up to at least 500km, and one at least 5 days or more. You should have been the leader or co-leader on the trip. We ask that you include the trip location, dates and length. This is the honour system, it becomes obvious quickly if you really have that much experience or not when the course starts.

I don’t have all the prerequisites yet. Can I still take the course?

Yes. You have up to the end of the next year to finish off your prerequisites. We just hold back your Tripping 2 award until everything is completed.

Will I get my award at the end of the course?

Most people do not get their award at the completion of the course. Everyone must hand in a 10 day Trip Plan assignment which is due after the course is completed. The information you need to do this assignment is presented during the course. However, if you want to get a head start, check out the information by clicking the assignments link.

How do I pass the course?

To pass this course you must show good leadership and sound judgment when you are the leader in charge. Everyone will get a chance to be a leader during the trip at least once. You must also get at least 75% on a written test, and 75% on a navigation test. There are other on going evaluations throughout the course.

We are not trying to make the course difficult, we just want to put you at a higher standard then other trip leaders.