Cameron Lake Outdoor Education Centre offers canoe training for teachers

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Teachers with School District 60 have the chance to lead their students on canoeing trips after receiving certified training.

Overseen by outdoor education coordinator Lorenne Hamre, Cameron Lake Outdoor Education Centre will offer teachers the necessary level one and two lakewater canoe certification courses.

“You have to have a certain level of canoe certification to be able to lead students out on the water,” Hamre explains. 

Hamre, who is an advanced lake water canoe instructor, is currently also the only person available to supervise the trips and certifying teachers would alleviate some of the workload. 

“This is an opportunity for teachers to also have that level of leadership so that they can be able to lead students on activities and more things can happen all at once out at the camp, especially when we have very large student groups,” says Hamre. 

“I end up getting situations where I have multiple groups and can’t do multiple activities…I’ll be stuck on the water all day and can’t help with other things.”

The course is a streamlined 16-hour training session, which includes some theory study at home and then a full day of learning and skills development on the lake.

She further explains that the camp is heading into its busiest season, with 40 to 50 students daily, until the end of the school year.

“Students will visit the camp, staying overnight for one or two nights at a time, cycling through all of the various activities and learning opportunities available,” says Hamre.

Hamre says dates for lessons will be announced once a sufficient number of staff have signed up. 

School District 60 staff are encouraged to reach out to Hamre by emailing cameronlake@prn.bc.ca.