Premier

Outdoor Recreation

Creating Environmental Stewards

Open for Applications. Please note that all new applicants are to participate in a TRIAL Outdoor Recreation afternoon session which will be held Thursday, April 21. More information will be provided to all parents who have completed and submitted applications.

Virtual Open House Link

New 2022-2023 PowerPoint Link

Application Submission: The Process

Applications for the 2022-2023 School Year are now open.

Apply Here

The WVS Premier Outdoor Recreation program is open to students, Grades 10-12 in any one of the three secondary schools: Rockridge, Sentinel or West Vancouver Secondary School.
*Please note that if students entering Grade 9 are interested, applications will be reviewed if there are spots available, with students required to provide a teacher reference/recommendation.

This program is designed to encourage students who are interested in participating in Physical Health & Education beyond the walls of the gym by exploring the local environment through outdoor challenges and pursuits. As students participate in the WVS Premier Outdoor Recreation Program, they work through two applicable courses, depending on the grade level.

This program offers outdoor experiences and through these experiences, weaves in various important concepts such as personal development, community awareness, environmental stewardship, outdoor preparedness, and ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. This goal of this program is for students to leave experienced, knowledgeable, confident, and empowered to safely continue to be active in the outdoors for life.

Courses and Schedule:

Students who participate in the Premier Outdoor Recreation program receive the following courses:

Grade 10:         Physical & Health Education 10

Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Outdoor Connections 10

Grade 11:         Active Living 11

Outdoor Education 11

Grade 12:         Active Living 12

Outdoor Education 12

The Schedule:

Currently West Vancouver Schools follows the Semester System with X-Block periods available for students to participate in programs such as the Premier Outdoor Recreation Program.

The X-Block periods take place Tuesday & Thursday afternoon linearly (all year long). The Premier Outdoor Recreation Program runs Thursdays from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. all year long.

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Physical & Health Education or Active Living Courses
The Big Ideas:

These courses are designed to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities through:

  • Outdoor pursuits, physical fitness activities, & skill development in such activities as kayaking, hiking & sailing
  • Environmental stewardship as students learn the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, as well as concepts that involve sustainability & conservation
  • Preparedness for outdoor activities & wilderness experiences
  • Development of community, teamwork, personal growth, & class culture
  • Learning team & co-operative games such as Ultimate, badminton, golf, orienteering, capture the flag, & survivor games
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BAA Outdoor Connections 10 & Outdoor Recreation 11 & 12 The Big Ideas:

Students will participate in day trips which occur on Thursdays. Sample day trip opportunities include kayaking, sailing, hiking, orienteering, snowshoeing, skiing, survival skills training, ice skating, and climbing.

When Health & Safety protocols permit, the program includes 2-3 overnight trips. Sample overnight trip opportunities include Garibaldi backpacking, winter camping, a kayak trip on the Sunshine coast. When conducive and approval permitted, these trips are planned, scheduled and are a mandatory part of the curriculum/course requirement.

As Health & Safety protocols permit, the following certifications are also planned as possible opportunities for the students: Paddle Canada Level 1; CanSail 1; Belay Certification; Wilderness First Aid; & Avalanche Safety Training 1.

Transportation:

The Premier Outdoor Recreation program fee includes transportation for most trips, both to the activity & return to a pre-determined location (e.g., Rockridge Secondary School). Parents would then be responsible for student pick-up at that pre-determined location.

Please note that if students are participating in an activity at a location that is nearby, students will be expected to use local transportation. For example, Ambleside, Lighthouse Park, Grouse Mountain, Climb Base 5 or the West Vancouver Ice Arena.

Quote from past participant:

“Outdoor Connections opened up so many amazing new opportunities for me. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my school year than learning in the beautiful outdoors.” – Kat Seow

Program Cost: $2000 per year (The fee is divided into 10 equal payments of $200 per month x 10 months September – June)

Application Requirements & Criteria

Students from any one of WVS secondary schools (Rockridge, Sentinel or WVSS) who are interested in applying are encouraged to complete the registration & all requirements before Spring Break as the number of participants is limited and equal representation from all three schools is a priority.

Components of the application are as follows:

  • Upload a copy of the most recent report card
  • Upload two letters of reference: one community reference & one teacher reference
  • Students completing answers to questions requesting why they feel they want to be in the program & why they would be a good candidate
  • Parent question providing information about why they feel the student would be a good fit

Contact Information

Mrs. Daphne Lambie
WVS Teacher
dlambie@wvschools.ca
604-981-1300

OR

Mr. Bryn Hammett
WVS Teacher
bhammett@wvschools.ca
604-981-1130

“The Outdoor Connections Program is one of the best things that has happened to me. It had a deep impact on my understanding of what I want to do in life, my desired career path in Outdoor Education, and my values and passions. I had a phenomenal time exploring British Columbia’s mountains and oceans with my outdoor family. From setting up camp on top of a snowy mountain ridge to pausing before lighting the beachside campfire in order to watch the sun as it sets behind the gulf islands, Outdoor Connections offered me a unique form of education through life-changing experiences.” – Hayden Roth