Hard Skills Training Weekends
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The focus will be on developing solid program and out-tripping leadership skills in areas such as group management, paddle skills, horsemanship, outdoor cooking and more!
Join us and become a better equipped outdoor leader!
Below you will find information regarding the location, dates, times, and who to contact for our Hard Skills Training Weekends.
- If the camp is required to reduce enrolment in registration for any reason:
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- Priority registrations will be given by date of registration; those who have registered first will retain their spot at their chosen event/s. Once we have reached our event capacity for participants/staff onsite, a waitlist will be set up, and the applicant will be placed on it. If there are sessions that are not full and that the participant is eligible to attend, your registration can be moved to one of those sessions.
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- In the event a camp event is cancelled for any reason, the camp will issue a refund for the value of the fees of the unexpired term.
- If parent/guardian/participant chooses to withdraw their event registration, regular cancellation policies will be in effect.If you choose to cancel more than 7 days prior to the start of event, you will receive the below refunds:
River Canoe Skills Intensive Training Weekend Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellations occurring 7 days or more prior to the event will receive a full refund less a $20.00 administration fee.
- Cancellations occurring less than 7 days prior to the event will receive NO REFUNDS except for medical reasons confirmed with a note form a doctor. In that case, you will receive a full refund less the administration fee.
Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellations occurring 7 days or more prior to the event will receive a full refund less a $20.00 administration fee.
- Cancellations occurring less than 7 days prior to the event will receive NO REFUNDS except for medical reasons confirmed with a note form a doctor. In that case, you will receive a full refund less the administration fee.
All Events: No refund will be made for dismissals due to disciplinary action, late arrivals, or early departures.
- No refund will be made for dismissals due to disciplinary action, late arrivals, or early departures.
- If a participant is unwell while at camp, and it is determined that withdrawal from the event is required, the camp will credit the participant the value of fees for the unexpired term. Depending on availability, the participant can use their credit to rebook the participant in an alternate current session when they are back to full health.
- If this is not possible, the camp will issue a refund for the value of the unexpired term or credit the participant for a future event.
Horse Hard Skills
Location: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
Core Objectives: The Wrangler Weekends are for anyone who has an interest in being at the barns during the summer. Training will be for both our Lodge and Ranch sites. Wrangler Weekends focus on building skills in the areas of general horsemanship, out-trip packing and horse care. These weekends are designed to provide participants with as much horse time as possible prior to the start of summer, equipping them to be effective leaders at our barns.
Weekend Objective: This Wrangler weekend is an introduction to the Riding Levels that we are re-implementing at camp. This will be an opportunity to become familiar with the program, its goals and to improve your skills as instructors for during the summer. Cabin leaders and wranglers are welcome.
- Dates: CANCELLED. TO BE RESCHEDULED TO A LATER DATE. STAY TUNED!
- Time: Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm
- First Meal: Friday, supper
- Where: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
- Age: 16 years old and up
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Amount of $50 per participant to cover food costs.
- Registration Closes: Sunday, November 5
- Directions to Pioneer Lodge
- For more information, contact Laura Stack.
Location: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
Core Objectives: The Wrangler Weekends are for anyone who has an interest in being at the barns during the summer. Training will be for both our Lodge and Ranch sites. Wrangler Weekends focus on building skills in the areas of general horsemanship, out-trip packing and horse care. These weekends are designed to provide participants with as much horse time as possible prior to the start of summer, equipping them to be effective leaders at our barns.
Weekend Objective: This is an extension of the Wrangler Weekend held in November 2023. We will review the Riding Levels that we are re-implementing at camp. This will be an opportunity to become familiar with the program, its goals and to continue to improve your skills as instructors for during the summer. Cabin leaders and wranglers are welcome.
- Dates: March 8-10, 2024
- Time: Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm
- First Meal: Friday, supper
- Where: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
- Age: 16 years old and up
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Amount of $50 per participant to cover food costs.
- Registration Closes: Sunday, March 3
- Directions to Pioneer Lodge
- For more information, contact Laura Stack.
Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
Core Objectives: TBA
- Dates: May 24 – 26, 2024
- Time: Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm
- First Meal: Friday, supper
- Where: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- Age: 16 years old and up
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Amount of $50-$100 per participant to cover food costs.
- Registration Closes: TBA
- Directions to Pioneer Ranch
- For more information, contact Laura Stack.
Location: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
Core Objectives: This weekend is for wranglers and cabin leaders who have attended at least one other Wrangler Weekend (November 2023, March 2024, or May 2024). Focus for this weekend will be on becoming equipped to resource or cabin lead an Out-Trip. Emphasis will be placed on putting into practice skills acquired from previous Wrangler Weekends (general horsemanship, out-trip packing, horse care, route planning, keeping campers entertained on the trail, setting up camp, packing a horse on the trail, etc.) and learning some new trails before going out with campers.
Prerequisite: Attendance at one of the previously offered Wrangler Weekends. If you have not been to one of these, please contact Laura Stack.
- Dates: June 21-23, 2024
- Time: Friday 5:00 pm to Sunday 5:00 pm
- First Meal: Friday, supper
- Where: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre
- Age: 18 years old and up
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Amount of $50 per participant to cover food costs.
- Registration Closes: TBA
- Directions to Pioneer Lodge
- For more information, contact Laura Stack.
Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
Core Objectives: Come learn and solidify the fundamental aspects of riding a horse. Take a step back to focus on the beginning stages of riding for both yourself and the horse you are working with. This weekend is for wranglers and cabin leaders who want to learn more about riding and getting a strong foundation on the horse you ride.
- Dates: TBA
- Time: Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm
- First Meal: Saturday, breakfast
- Where: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- Age: 16 years old and up
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Amount of $50-$100 per participant to cover food costs.
- Registration Closes: TBA
- Directions to Pioneer Ranch
- For more information, contact Laura Stack.
Canoeing & Out-Trip Hard Skills
Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- What: Paddle Canada Introduction to Tandem Moving Water Canoeing Instructor Part 1 (Taught by HELA VENTURES)
- Dates: TBA
- Saturday, TBA: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (in person)
- Sunday, TBA: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (in person)
- First Meal: Saturday Lunch
- Where: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- Who: **Pioneer Staff & Volunteers Only
- Cost: $250 (Covers cost of certification – if attending both Part 1 & 2 – and food/lodging at Pioneer Camp. Includes GST.)
- What to Bring: your own bedding, clothes for being outside in (regardless of weather), all the gear you own that’s appropriate for being on the river in colder conditions (wet/dry suits recommended).
- Donations welcome.
- Registration Closes: TBA
- Course Description: Paddle Canada Introduction to Tandem Moving Water Canoeing Instructor
- Directions To Pioneer Ranch
- To register or for more information, contact Rachel Schmidt
Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- Dates: TBA
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- Start Time: TBA, 7:00 pm (in person)
- End Time: TBA, 5:00 pm (in person)
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- First Meal: Saturday Breakfast (Out-Trip food included.)
- Where: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
- General Information:
- Who: **Pioneer Staff & Volunteers Only
- Cost: $75 (Covers cost of OT food/lodging. Includes GST.) (Out-Trip food & Group gear included.)
- What to Bring: your own bedding, clothes for being outside in (regardless of weather), all the gear you own that’s appropriate for a one-night woods trip and/or paddling on the river.
- Donations welcome.
- Registration Closes: TBA
- Directions To Pioneer Ranch
- To register or for more information, contact Rachel Schmidt
- Weekend Outline:
- Friday Session: Campfire Chat – Why we do out-trips, Prep for Saturday, and Sunday Adventures
- Saturday/Sunday: Spend time in your selected skills focus.
- Skills Areas To Choose From:
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- Part 2 of Paddle Canada Beginner Moving Water Instructor Certification (Taught by HELA VENTURES.)
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- PREREQUISITE: Note: This course requires attendance at the Part 1 Introduction to Tandem Moving Water Canoeing Instructor Weekend (May 20-21, 2023).
- Participants will sleep at Pioneer camp both Friday and Saturday nights. Food will be provided.
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- If you attended Part 1 (May 20-21) you can attend Part 2 during the Out-Trip Skills Weekend for FREE!
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- Paddle Practice with Pioneer
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- Note: Priority registration given to those who cannot attend Part 1 of the Canoeing Certification on May 20-21, 2023.
- Build your River/Lake Skills as we pre-trip our summer camp OT route.
- Participants will camp along the river on Saturday night.
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
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- Overnight Out-Trip Skills
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- Build your perfect camp set up, hone those OT cooking and group management skills and share your best resource tips with other Pioneer staff and volunteers on a one-night backpacking trip (participants will sleep on the trail on Saturday night).
- Perfect for horseback riders and backpackers alike! The focus will be on camp set up and group management rather than hiking.
- Skill Level: Beginner (Intermediate to Advanced are very welcome to come and share skills.)
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- Part 2 of Paddle Canada Beginner Moving Water Instructor Certification (Taught by HELA VENTURES.)