Adventure Tourism Business Operations Diploma

  Canada

• British Columbia: 
Golden

Term: Fall, Spring, Winter 
Dates: August 2007 to May 2008

Description: Overview
The diploma program builds on COTR's existing ATBO certificate program. The second year incorporates new and existing Business and University Studies courses and enables the student to ladder into other tourism programs at other institutions. Students enrolled in the new diploma program can develop a balance of business, communication, and operations management, technical and interpersonal skills. Students can also acquire several national and international certifications in a selection of outdoor pursuits.

Job Opportunities
There are over 80 different occupations in the adventure tourism and recreation sector. The opportunities for small business owner/operators are limited only by the creativity of the operators. Total Canadian employment in this sector in 1997 was 17,100 and is expected to grow to 90,000 by 2006 resulting in an increase of more than 73,000 new jobs.

Graduates can seek work as entrepreneurs, entry into mid-management positions, recreation coordinators, (YMCA and Municipalities) program coordinators for youth camps, and assistant managers for lodge operations, assistant guides for outdoor pursuits, Parks Canada employment and management retail positions.

Highlights: Program Design
The diploma program is offered over a period of 16 months. The year-one ATBO certificate is a ten month program and the second year (diploma) is an additional six months. Courses are a mixture of traditional classroom, face-to-face delivery while some courses are offered online. There are a number of field activities that require students to travel into the wilderness areas around Golden and beyond. There is also a work practicum that requires students to travel to employer sites. The second-year diploma program classes start the last week of August and complete in late February (approximately 25 weeks). Students are in a position to graduate and take advantage of employment opportunities in the winter industry as well as the start-up phase for spring.

Required Courses
BUAD 105 Marketing
ATBO 207 Sustainable Eco-Tourism
ATBO 202 Business Management
ATBO 102 Advanced Natural Interpretation
ATBO 214 Advanced Emergency Wilderness First Aid.
ATBO 221 Hiking Level 2
ATBO 208 Cross-Cultrual Tourism

Suggestive Electives Year 2
ATBO 242 Mountaineering
ATBO 241 Rock Climbing Level 2
ATBO 231 White Water Kayaking Level 2
ATBO 252 Winter Back Country Travel Level 2
ATBO 233 Sea Kayaking Level 2
ATBO 230 Swift Water Rescue Technician

BUAD 105 (3) Marketing
To gain an overview of the marketing process as it applies to marketing products and or services in public, private and not-for-profit organizations. At the end of the course, the students should understand the 4 P's of Marketing--Price-Place-Promotion and Product; and the interrelationships between marketing and overall business practices. This 45 hour course provides an introduction to the more advanced courses in the College of the Rockies, Business Administration Program.

ATBO 207 (3) Sustainable Eco-Tourism and Environmental Stewardship
Through the use of case students examine the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism as well as the relationship between tourism, outdoor recreation and the management and conservation of natural resources. Discussions are centered on the context of sustainable development and balancing the needs of ecosystems, communities and visitors. Some of the planning and management implications for sustainable tourism are also explored. The roles of various agencies and organizations managing natural resources are examined in terms of their tourism/outdoor recreation roles.

ATBO 202 (3) Advanced Business Planning
Covers the essentials of management as they apply to today's workplace environment. A focus of this course is the personal management of tomorrow's leaders and managers. Portfolio development is a component of this course.

ATBO 201 (3)    Advanced natural Interpretation and Environmental Education
Students continue their exploration of the natural history of BC, flora and fauna, species identification, and ecosystem relationships in greater depth, within the context of the Adventure Tourism industry. Also covers how to plan interpretive programs for a variety of audiences. A variety of methodological tools for educating environmental content can also be gained. Knowledge and skills gained from this course can be applied through the creation and delivery of an interpretive program..
Prerequisite: ATBO 107

ATBO 214 (2) Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Covers in-depth principles in medical and legal aspects relative to injury prevention and care. Regulations, legislation, contagious/infectious disease, assessment, communication, anatomy and physiology, airway management, respiratory emergencies, cardiac arrest and circulatory injuries are all covered. Soft tissues and wound management injuries including eyes, ears, nose, throat, burns, poisons and environmental emergencies including other considerations in wilderness survival are also looked at.
Prerequisite: ATBO 114

ATBO 221 (2) Hiking Level 2
Continues to build on the skills and knowledge developed in ATBO 121. The hiking conditions are more challenging, and students cover the skills necessary to lead backpacking trips in the wilderness. This course is designed to help prepare students for the ACMG Day Hiking and Back Packing Guide Exams.
Prerequisite: ATBO 121

ATBO 208 (3) Cross-Cultural Tourism
Aimed at increasing awareness and sensitivity towards your own and other cultures. In an engaging and experiential setting, students become aware of the complex dynamics of cultural tourism and develop a base of skills and knowledge needed to facilitate cross-cultural adventure tourism in ways that are culturally-relevant and empowering. Students also develop cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution skills as they explore issues related to the preservation of culture and heritage.

ATBO 242 (2)   Mountaineering
A mountain-based skills development course. Course covers specialized equipment, mountain safety, weather, group travel and management, travel in glaciated terrain, peak ascents and mountain geology and ecology.
Prerequisite: ATBO 141

ATBO 241 (2) Rock Climbing Level 2
Introduces the student to the basics of multi-pitch and lead rock climbing. Covers the basic knots, safety procedures, equipment and rope skills, group management climbing techniques to safely set up and climb basic lead and multi-pitch climbs.
Prerequisite: ATBO 141

ATBO 231 (2) White Water Kayaking Level 2
Designed to continue to develop white water kayak skills to a higher level than achieved on ATBO 131. Students progress to kayaking on Grade 3+ white water, and cover the instructional skills and theory. Students should be ready to attempt the WKABC basic river kayak instructor certification on this course.
Prerequisite: ATBO 131

ATBO 252 (2) Winter Back Country Travel Level 2
Continues to build on the skills and knowledge learned in ATBO 152. This course takes those winter back country ski and snowboarding skills onto an extended expedition in the mountain environment.
Prerequisite: ATBO 152

ATBO 233 (2) Sea Kayaking Level 2
This guide training course exposes the student to the techniques and theory of ocean kayaking, equipment care and use, route selection, navigation, self-rescue, ocean kayaking hazard awareness, group management, tour guiding and leadership. Coastal environment natural history is presented. Covers ecologically sound ocean kayaking and camping techniques. Students meeting the ACSKG standards are certified as Assistant Guides with the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides.
Prerequisite: ATBO 133

ATBO 230 (2) Swiftwater Rescue Technician
Covers river rescue principles and techniques as they apply to canoes, kayaks, rafts, and other personal watercraft designed for river use. Topics include river and rescue terminology, basic rescue theory and equipment, drowning, hypothermia, moving water rescues and rope systems,
Prerequisite: ATBO 131

Program Structure
The Adventure Tourism Business Operations Diploma is awarded upon completion of 42 credits from the ATBO Certificate program, and then the completion of another 25 credits in Year 2 as follows:
* 19credit from the following required core courses: BUAD 105; ATBO 207; ATBO 201; ATBO 214; ATBO 221; ATBO 208; ATBO 202
* A minimum of six credits from each of the following two-credit electives: ATBO 242;ATBO 241; ATBO 231; ATBO 252; ATBO 233; ATBO 230.
* Note: A diploma student may also choose to do any elective that is offered to the ATBO Certificate students; or an industry certification course as offered by a nationally recognized certification body.

Possible Certifications
Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Class 4 Drivers License
Swift water rescue-Rescue Canada
White Water kayak Instructors Certificate-WKABC
Flat Water Canoe Instructors-BCRCA
Alpine Ski Instructors-CSIA
Snow Board Instructors-CASI
Telemark Ski Instructors-CANSI
Cross Country Ski Instructors-CANSI
Avalanche Skills Training 1 & 2 -CAA
Ocean kayaking Assistant Guide certification-ACSKG
MPHIA - Parks Canada

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Cost in US$: approximately $11,200

Experience Required: yes

Students should have already completed Adventure Tourism Business Operations Certificate at College Of The Rockies, or an equivalent course of studies.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Canada Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 16

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

College of the Rockies's Mission Statement: Empowering citizens and communities through knowledge and skills

Year Founded: 1975