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CONT808: Outdoor Experiential Education

Course Schedule

Session Course Dates Application Deadline Document Deadline Payment Deadline
Winter 2027 Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027 Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET
Late Winter 2027 Monday, February 15, 2027 – Friday, April 16, 2027 Sunday, February 7, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, February 9, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, February 11, 2027 at 4pm ET
Spring 2027 Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027 Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET
Late Spring 2027 Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, April 27, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, April 29, 2027 at 4pm ET
Summer 2027 Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027 Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET
Deadline dates are subject to change.

Winter 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET

Late Winter 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, February 15, 2027 – Friday, April 16, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, February 7, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, February 9, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, February 11, 2027 at 4pm ET

Spring 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET

Late Spring 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, April 27, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, April 29, 2027 at 4pm ET

Summer 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET

Course Description

This course is designed to give educators the tools necessary to actively immerse learners in the curriculum through outdoor experiential learning. By analysing and implementing foundational principals, you will be able to support holistic learning environments that elevate learner participation. Through the exploration of engaging resources, the creation of authentic tasks and the application of course concepts, you will come away with skills to create an engaging and inclusive experiential outdoor learning program.

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What You Will Learn and Do

In this course you’ll have the opportunity to

  • analyze the foundational pedagogical principles of Outdoor Experiential Education to understand their significance in promoting holistic learner development
  • apply Kolb's Learning Cycle to the design and implementation of experiential learning opportunities that engage learners in reflective outdoor experiences
  • design authentic assessment and evaluation criteria for an outdoor setting which fosters learner agency and growth and promotes learning in Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development
  • connect ethical frameworks, Indigenous perspectives and accessibility issues to develop inclusive outdoor education programming honouring learner diversity
  • create comprehensive program plans aligned with curriculum expectations and provincial legislation which integrate risk management strategies to ensure an equitable environment for all learners
  • synthesize research-informed practices and pedagogical approaches to promote social justice, democratic citizenship and environmental sustainability within outdoor education programs
  • illustrate how justice, citizenship and sustainability principles within Outdoor Experiential Education contexts advocate for inclusion and address systemic inequalities and promote environmental stewardship
  • apply leadership skills and facilitation strategies to effectively engage learners in outdoor learning experiences that promote teamwork, critical thinking and environmental awareness
  • evaluate the role that Outdoor Experiential Education plays in fostering global citizenship, advocacy for sustainability and community engagement
  • design a program plan that integrates course concepts and demonstrates proficiency in planning, implementing and assessing outdoor learning experiences

Course Outline

Each module includes a variety of resources, such as articles, videos, websites, podcasts and other media, as well as discussion posts, reflective tasks, collaborative tasks, culminating tasks, and assignments.

ModulesMinimum hours
Module 1: The Value of Outdoor Education 21
Module 2: Experiential Learning Opportunities
Progress Update 1		 15
Module 3: Ethical Considerations and Inclusive Practices 21
Module 4: Standards, Accreditation and Risk Management
Progress Update 2		 18
Module 5: Equity in Assessment and Evaluation 18
Module 6: Leadership, Global Citizenship and Environmental Sustainability
Progress Update 3		 18
Module 7: Consolidation of Learning
Final Report		 14
Total hours 125

Application Requirements

We will use the OCT number you provide during online registration to confirm that you are an OCT member.

Course Materials

There are no additional resources required for this course.

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

  • If you drop a course by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee
  • If you drop a course after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee
Session 100% Refund Deadline 50% Refund Deadline

  Updated Refund Policy

Our updated refund policies took effect starting with the Late Summer 2026 Session. Please see the refund schedule below for details.
  • If you drop a course before the course begins: 100% refund
  • If you drop a course on or before the 14th day of the course: 75% refund
  • If you drop a course after the 14th day of the course: No refund
Session Course Dates 75% Refund Cut Off Date
Fall 2026Monday, September 28, 2026 – Friday, December 4, 2026October 11, 2026
Fall/Winter 2026Monday, November 9, 2026 – Friday, February 5, 2027November 22, 2026
Winter 2027Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027February 07, 2027
Late Winter 2027Monday, February 15, 2027 – Friday, April 16, 2027February 28, 2027
Spring 2027Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027April 18, 2027
Late Spring 2027Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027May 16, 2027
Summer 2027Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027July 11, 2027

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.