The Essex Region Conservation Authority will this year offer Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association’s (ORCKA) Basic Canoeing Instructor Course.

“The purpose of the ORCKA Basic Canoeing Instructor Course is to provide a provincial certification of competence in the instruction and administration of ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level Courses,” explains Phil Robson, Environmental Educator and course instructor. “The Basic Canoeing Instructor certification is the foundation for all other instructor levels, and those who achieve it will be able to instruct and certify other candidates for basic canoe safety.”

The course will include content on safety, theory, skills assessment and evaluation, and practice teaching. Participants must be 16 years of age to take the course. Made possible through the support of the Government of Ontario, the course will be held over two weekends: Saturday, June 25th to Sunday, June 26th AND Friday, July 1st to Sunday, July 3rd, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Participants must complete the full 48 hours of training in order to achieve their certification.

“This training will be particularly beneficial to those who are pursuing careers in nature interpretation, outdoor adventure, camp counselling and a variety of other career paths,” Robson says.

The cost for this course is $320 per person, and is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The course will take place at Holiday Beach Conservation Area and Cedar Creek Conservation Area. ERCA will also offer three bursary spaces to applicants who speak at least one of the following languages: Arabic, Mandarin, Somali, Karen or Spanish.

“Because one of the overall goals of this project will focus on connecting new Canadians with nature, we want to ensure that we can provide training to those who speak the languages most spoken by newcomers to Canada,” Robson adds.

Those selected for the bursary will be charged only the $110 ORCKA fee, but must commit to a minimum of six hours of volunteer service following the completion of their training.

To apply for the bursary, or to register for the course visit online