ATLAS: Adventure, Tourism, Leadership and Safety

ATLAS is an exciting "career prep" program designed for students who have a strong personal interest in adventure recreation. ATLAS is a practical, “hands on” course taught almost exclusively away from the school, in outdoor settings, in a variety of seasons.

The course is designed to help students develop the career skills necessary to gain employment in the booming eco/adventure tourism industry and / or pursue further education through outdoor adventure programs offered at institutions like Thompson Rivers University, Selkirk College, or the College of the Rockies.

Make sure to check out our FACEBOOK PAGE for more pictures, information, updates, and to connect with all the members of the group!

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The ATLAS gang poses for a picture near Stageleap provincial park.

OBJECTIVES OF ATLAS ACADEMY

Students attend ATLAS full-time in the second semester (February-June), Monday through Thursday, and are encouraged to take either a directed study or work experience that can be attended to on Fridays. ATLAS is open to Grade 11 and 12 students only.

1. Introduce students to technical skills and decision making required for safe wilderness travel;
2. Provide students an opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills in the outdoor arena; and
3. Provide students with basic certification needed in the field of Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism.

Avalanche course training combined with some back-country skiing (in some of the best powder in North America) makes for a great day in the ATLAS classroom from February until April.

COURSE CREDITS IN ATLAS

• P.E. 12 (4 credits)
• Adventure Tourism Leadership and Safety (4 credits)
• Student Leadership (4 credits)
• Independent Directed Study (4 credits)
• Ground Search and Rescue (2 credits)

    Total: 18 credits

CERTIFICATIONS ACQUIRED IN ATLAS

• Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (Canadian Avalanche Centre)
• Companion Rescue Skills course (Canadian Avalanche Centre)
• Wilderness and Remote First Aid which is a 40 hour course (Red Cross)
• Ground Search and Rescue (Justice Institute/Provincial Emergency Program)
• Flatwater Canoeing Certification (Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia)
  

ATLAS students take on the walls at Skaha in the southern Okanagan in May

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information please contact the academy director, Graeme Marshall, at gmarshall@sd8.bc.ca or 250.352.5538.

ATLAS 2013 PROGRAM CALENDAR