Overview
Do you love outdoor adventure? Nestled among some of the world鈥檚 largest freshwater lakes, the rugged Canadian Shield, and vast, diverse forests are Ontario鈥檚 wildest parks. They鈥檙e all within a short drive of 樱花动漫鈥攁nd they鈥檙e calling out to you.
Unique to Canada, the two-year Adventure Recreation and Parks Technician diploma program keeps a broad focus on natural resource management and sustainability, while concentrating on three main areas of study:
- parks operations, interpretation and protection
- adventure recreation and recreation planning
- ecotourism and adventure expeditions
Field trips and hands-on experience are an essential part of this program. You鈥檒l visit many park systems, conservation areas, and recreational facilities across the vast Algoma region where you鈥檒l learn field identification skills across diverse ecosystems.
And during fall camp, you鈥檒l be exposed to awesome outdoor recreation skills like canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, and camping over multiple days.
Become extra-hireable in a career you love. Depending on where your interest lies, our Adventure Recreation and Parks Technician program offers you opportunities to gain provincially or nationally recognized certifications in:
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid
- Chainsaw operator safety
-
Heritage interpreter
-
Kayaking - Paddle Canada x 2
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Canoeing - Paddle Canada x 2
-
Stand Up Paddle - Boarding Paddle Canada x 2
-
Cross Country Ski Ontario Coaching
-
Belayer (indoor/outdoor)
-
Rock climbing (outdoor)
-
Ice climbing
- Wilderness survival
- No Limits Adaptive Skiing Association Coaching
If you`re not ready to stop there, options to expand your education and skills are limitless. Choose a pathway to a degree where you earn your diploma here in two years and move on to a partnering university to complete a degree like Bachelor of Science in as little as two more years. You can even choose another diploma in the School of Natural Environment and earn two diplomas in three years.
We`re ready to help lead you to success. Adventure to the real you starts here.
Degree Transfers and Pathways
Whether you're starting here with a certificate or diploma program, or transferring your credits from another institution or informal experience into a program at 樱花动漫, we have so many ways for you to continue your postsecondary education with us. Explore pathways to a degree or a diploma and learn about transfer options.
Pathways Beyond >
Earn your diploma here and then choose to complete your degree with one of our partnering universities, in as little as one more year.
Pathways Within >
Complete two diplomas in as little as three years or earn a certificate on the path towards a diploma or degree, all right here.
Pathways Into >
If you've completed any courses from another institution or have informal learning experiences, transfer your credits into a program here.
Accredited By ECO Canada
Accreditation of our School of Natural Environment programs provides formal validation of our commitment to high-quality education, accountability, and public trust. A program's curriculum is critically analyzed against national occupational standards to ensure it meets environmental industry needs. As of 2023, Adventure Recreation and Parks Technician is one of our five programs to be accredited.
The programs have been accredited by the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada () based on conformance with the National Accreditation Standard for Post-secondary Environmental 樱花动漫. The accreditation has been granted through the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission (CEAC), an independent body that oversees ECO Canada鈥檚 post-secondary accreditation program.
Courses
| ARL204 - 3 Wilderness Advanced First Aid |
| ENV411 - 1 Career Readiness |
| NRT211 - 3 Protecting Park Values |
| NRT233 - 3 Adventure Ecotourism |
| NRT240 - 2 Natural Resources Law |
| NRT242 - 2 Natural Environment Business Management |
| NRT263 - 4 Bushcraft and Wilderness Survival |
| NRT235 - 2 Sustainable Resource Management |
| GEN110 - 3 Student Selected General Education |
| Note: *This student-selected general education course code indicates a general-education course is taken in this semester. Students will choose from a selection of courses () prior to the semester in which the student-selected general education course is to be taken. |
Requirements & Program Information
Ontario Secondary School diploma with Grade 12 English (C) ENG4C or mature student status. Missing any requirements? Get them for free from Academic Upgrading.
Career Path
Graduates of the program are trained to work in the public and private sectors, including Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, conservation authorities, municipal parks departments, and private park owners. Examples of employment found within these park agencies include Park Warden, Park Interpreter, Resource Technician, and Park Superintendent.
In the Adventure Recreation field opportunities include employment prospects with adventure travel and ecotourism companies, either as a guide or business owner. Graduates may become recreational instructors at outdoor centres and children`s camps, teaching a variety of skills such as canoeing and kayaking. Opportunities as snowboard/ski instructors in winter or wilderness outfitters and/or retailers may also be available.
Fees & Costs
| Domestic | International | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Ancillary | Tuition | Ancillary |
| $2,975.80 | $1,697.00 | $15,757.30 | $2,347.00 |
These fees are for the 2025-2026 academic year (year 1 of study), and are subject to change. Please visit your Student Portal to view your Schedule of Fees.
Important links
Contact
This is a co-operative education program. Students are required to complete at least one co-op work placement (CWF100) in order to graduate. To prioritize preparing current students and graduates for employment in the natural environment field, a career management course is taken in each semester of the program.
Program College Contact (Yr 1 of Program): Elisa Muto, elisa.muto@saultcollege.ca
Program College Contact (Yr 2 of Program): Ryan Namespetra, ryan.namespetra@saultcollege.ca