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Message from the Chairs
Welcome to the Adventure Studies program at Thompson Rivers University!
As co-chairs of this exceptional program, we are thrilled to share with you what makes our department truly unique in the world of adventure education.
Our faculty consists of accomplished professionals who are not only respected academics but also highly skilled technicians in their respective fields. This rare combination allows us to offer a curriculum that seamlessly blends theory and practice, providing our students with a comprehensive understanding of the adventure tourism industry.
The Adventure Guide Certificate and Diploma at TRU are renowned for their technical rigor and hands-on approach. Our students spend approximately 60% of their course time in the field, honing skills in activities like mountaineering, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and backcountry skiing. This extensive field experience ensures our graduates are not only knowledgeable but also highly competent in their chosen specialties.
In our upper-level courses within the Adventure Major of the Bachelor of Tourism Management, we remain true to our experiential learning roots while integrating academic theory. Many of these courses emphasize project-based learning, allowing students to work on real-world projects for businesses and communities. Our practicum partners, Mike Wiegele Heli Ski and Nahanni River Adventure to name a few, are industry leaders and consistent employers of our graduates.
We take pride in our role as cultivators of the next generation of adventure leaders. Our program goes beyond teaching technical skills; we focus on developing critical thinking, risk management, and leadership abilities that are essential for success in the adventure industry. Our graduates emerge as well-rounded professionals, ready to take on leadership roles and make significant contributions to the field.
Our strong ties to the adventure industry provide our students with unparalleled networking opportunities and real-world experience. Our instructors are active guides and industry professionals, bringing current practices and insights directly into the classroom and field.
Through our international field schools and diverse course offerings, we encourage our students to develop a global perspective on adventure tourism. This international outlook prepares our graduates to work effectively in various cultural contexts and to understand the global nature of the industry.
At TRU Adventure Studies, we are committed to providing an educational experience that is as thrilling as it is thorough. We invite you to join us in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in adventure education and to become part of the next generation of adventure leaders.
Sharman Learie and James Rodger
Co-Chairs, Adventure Studies Department
Thompson Rivers University
