Hard Skills Training Weekends

Hard Skills Training Weekends
Sundre & Rocky Mountain House
At Pioneer we believe in life-long learning, skill-development, discovery, and exploration of the natural environment through hands-on experience for both campers and staff. Important components of this are our Horse and Out-Tripping Programs. Join us for a weekend of skill development and fun in creation!
Contact Seb for more information!
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hard Skills Training is all about equipping staff and volunteers in the skills needed for leading our out-tripping programs. We know that opportunities for sharing knowledge about outdoor pursuits among our community of staff will make our trips with (and without) campers more fun, safe, and rewarding.

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.

Cancellation Policy

If the camp is required to reduce enrolment in registration for any reason:
- - 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.
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.

Nut/Peanut Policy

InterVarsity’s Pioneer Camp Alberta cannot guarantee to be a nut/peanut free environment. We do seek to reduce the risk of exposure and therefore do not use or serve peanuts, peanut products or tree nuts on camp property. Nuts or products containing nuts will not be available in our Tuck Shop(s). However, the food we purchase may contain traces of nut products. Please do not bring any food items with you to camp that contain nut products (this includes chocolate bars, granola bars, etc.). Any items containing nut products will be removed from the camp.

Wrangler Certification

Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House

Core Objectives: As we continue the re-implementation of Riding Levels at camp, the purpose of this weekend is to have all Pioneer wranglers go through a certification process to determine what level they are best suited to work at. There will be various components of the certification: theory, riding ability, teaching ability, and leadership skills. We will also be working on Horsemanship Development. Please come prepared to demonstrate your skills and be ready for summer.

Dates: May 9-11, 2025
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 per participant to cover food costs.
Registration Closes: TBA
Directions to Pioneer Ranch
For more information, contact Jenny Al-Adra.

Wrangler Training

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.

Dates: November 14-16, 2025
Time: Friday 7:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm
First Meal: Saturday, breakfast
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 Opens: TBA
Directions to Pioneer Lodge
For more information, contact Jenny Al-Adra.

Canoeing & Out-Trip Hard Skills

Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend

Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend

Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House

Dates: June 20-22, 2025
- - Start Time: Friday, 7:00 pm (in person)
  - End Time: Sunday, 5:00 pm (in person)
Who: Pioneer Staff & Volunteer Only
Ages: 16 years old and up
First Meal: Saturday Breakfast (Out-Trip food included.)
Where: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House
General Information:
- No Cost to Attend. Suggested Donation Amount of $50 per participant to cover Out-Trip food costs.
- 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.
- Registration Closes: June 15, 2025
- Directions To Pioneer Ranch
- To register or for more information, contact Seb Dykstra

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 area.
Skills Areas To Choose From:

1. Paddle Practice with Pioneer
  - - Build your River/Lake Skills as we pre-trip our summer camp OT route.
    - Participants will camp along the river on the Saturday night.
    - Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
2. Overnight Out-Trip Skills
  - - 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 the 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.)

Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend
River Canoe Skills Intensive

Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend

Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House

Dates: TBA
- - Start Time: TBA, 7:00 pm (in person)
  - End Time: TBA, 5:00 pm (in person)
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:

1. Part 2 of Paddle Canada Beginner Moving Water Instructor Certification (Taught by HELA VENTURES.)
  - - 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!
2. Paddle Practice with Pioneer
  - - 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
3. Overnight Out-Trip Skills
  - - 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.)

River Canoe Skills Intensive

PREREQUISITE: Note: This course requires a basic knowledge of river canoeing. If you are brand new to canoeing and are interested in this course, please contact Ben Schmidt ([email protected]) or Rachel Schmidt ([email protected]) to get connected with other beginners prior to the course.

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