Hard Skills Training Weekends

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.

Horse Hard Skills

Horsemanship Weekend

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.

Instructor: Christa Miremadi

Dates: May 12-14, 2023
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: Tuesday, May 9
Directions to Pioneer Ranch
For more information, contact Laura Stack or Leticia Zimmerman

Horse Out-Trip Skills Training

Location: Pioneer Lodge, Sundre

Core Objectives: This weekend is for wranglers and cabin leaders who have attended at least one other Wrangler Weekend (November 2022, March 2023 or May 2023). 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 23-25, 2023
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: Friday, June 16
Directions to Pioneer Lodge
For more information, contact Leticia Zimmerman or Laura Stack

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.

Weekend Objective: This Wrangler weekend is for those who want to practice their horse packing skills. This is an extension of a wrangler weekend held in November 2022. We will review skills learned in the fall of 2022 and expand on that knowledge, bringing it into the summer of 2023 and the years to come. Cabin leaders and wranglers are welcome.

Dates: TBA
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: TBA
Directions to Pioneer Lodge
For more information, contact Laura Stack or Leticia Zimmerman

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: May 20-21, 2023
- Saturday, May 20: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (in person)
- Sunday, May 21, 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: Friday, May 5
Course Description: Paddle Canada Introduction to Tandem Moving Water Canoeing Instructor
Directions To Pioneer Ranch
To register or for more information, contact Rachel Schmidt

Out-Trip Skills Training Weekend

Location: Pioneer Ranch, Rocky Mountain House

Dates: May 26-28, 2023
- - Start Time: Friday, May 26, 7:00 pm (in person)
  - End Time: Sunday, May 28, 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: Friday, May 19
- 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.)