Wilderness Pursuits Program Brochure 2017-2018

Wilderness Pursuits Program
• Introduction
Wilderness Pursuits (WP) is a full-year
multidisciplinary program offered to
grade 10 students at West Point Grey
Academy. WP provides experiential
adventures throughout British Columbia,
integrating the WP elective with Planning
10. Students must apply to enroll in WP;
for application guidelines, see back page.
• Field Experiences
Students complete two multiday excursions and several afternoon activities each
term. Excursions progress in complexity; activities and expeditions are purposely
selected to optimize learning and geographical diversity. To be prepared for a
range of environmental conditions, students are expected to have appropriate
clothing and equipment (an equipment list is provided at the start of the program).
Excursions follow industry standards for supervision ratios and safety. Male and
female supervisors attend overnight expeditions, program leaders are trained
in Wilderness First Aid, and professional guides are employed as necessary to
balance adventure and risk.

• Wilderness Pursuits Pillars
OUTDOOR SKILLS AND ACTIVITIES
Students learn and practice a variety of
outdoor skills and activities, including
hiking, low-impact camping, cross
country skiing, snow shelter building,
avalanche awareness, sea kayaking,
and basic navigation and route finding
on land and water.
LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Students are expected to assume
leadership roles and are encouraged
to examine their strengths and weaknesses
in different environments.
Students, working as a team, develop
strong bonds over the year, and learn
the importance of collaboration, shared
purpose and personal responsibility.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND STEWARDSHIP
Through field trips, observations,
research projects and stewardship
initiatives, students gain comprehensive
and advanced knowledge of our natural
environment and issues, and learn to
appreciate the diversity of both rural
and urban environments.
• Planning 10 Integration
Within WP, students take Planning 10,
a required graduation course that
studies personal development,
leadership styles, decision making,
budgeting, healthy living and university
preparation.
• Fitness Expectations
Students are required to have a basic
level of fitness to participate in WP.
For the fitness assessment, students
are to hike the Grouse Grind; those
who complete the challenging 3-
kilometre hike in 75 minutes or less
are considered to have an appropriate
fitness level for the program.
• Time Commitment
Students are expected to participate in all WP activities and multiday excursions,
which typically include 14 school days and 9 weekend days. As course participation
affects academic grades and group development, students must commit fully to
the course, which will inevitably conflict with other school events.
• Academic Expectations
Students’ academic records will be considered when applying to the program,
and WP students are expected to maintain a good academic standing. Note it is
the student’s responsibility to make up any work missed in other academic classes
during WP excursions, although some time will be dedicated to studying and
make-up tests in WP.
• Financial Requirements
The program cost is $650, which covers external instruction, transportation,
certification for instructional courses, gear and equipment rentals, and classroom
materials. Personal equipment such as hiking boots may also be required.
• How to Apply
Interested students must submit a written application and one personal reference.
References are to be completed by an adult who has worked with the student in a
group-based setting (coaches, group leaders, teachers) and who can attest to the
student’s ability to work well with others. Students will then be interviewed.
The application form and FAQ are available on WolfNet > Wilderness Pursuits.
• Important Dates
· Course Selection Session (Parents): February 16, 2017
· Course Selection Assembly (Students): February 2017 (Date TBA)
· Application Deadline: March 9, 2017
• WP Teachers
· Jes Logher, jlogher@wpga.ca
· Cameron Johnston, cjohnston@wpga.ca