College

Outdoor Adventure Program Celebrates 25-Year Anniversary on the Ottawa River

It had to involve whitewater rafting. 25 years after the Pembroke Campus launched its highly successful Outdoor Adventure diploma program, alumni from across Canada returned to the rapids of the Ottawa River to mark the significant milestone. More than 75 alumni participated in the two-day celebration, which included a Friday night reception at the Waterfront campus, some rock climbing in the campus gymnasium, and then an afternoon of rafting the following day at Wilderness Tours.

Program coordinator Jeff Jackson spoke passionately about how the program has changed the adventure tourism industry, producing graduates who now work around the globe. Jackson, who is highly respected as one of the world’s leading adventure tourism risk management experts, has a special rapport with the students he teaches. That resonated throughout the weekend as alumni re-engaged with him, some of whom he had not seen in decades.

Faculty and staff of Algonquin College's Outdoor Adventure program pose for a picture.

Faculty and staff of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure program pose for a picture at the program’s 25th anniversary celebration. (L to R: Chris Melmoth, Cam Dube, Jeff Jackson, Kate Monahan, Bobbie Gormley and Jamie Bramburger.)

The celebration was a time to reflect on the program’s origins as former Algonquin College President Kent MacDonald provided a video message that shared the program’s genesis. MacDonald is now the President of Northwood University in Michigan, but in 1999, when the program launch was announced, MacDonald was the Chair of the Business, Technology and Outdoor Training department at the Pembroke Campus.

“There is no doubt in my mind that it is the preeminent outdoor adventure program,” said MacDonald, who highlighted the unique partnership the college struck with Wilderness Tours to bring the program to fruition. “This type of partnership was new for a college to work with a private industry partner. I can’t imagine the multi-billion dollar tourism industry in Ontario and Canada if it didn’t have the Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure program to produce these graduates with the latest education and training and being prepared to lead this industry,” added MacDonald.

Representing alumni, Abigail Dunford, who graduated from the program in 2017, spoke about how the program has allowed so many students to do what they want to do. Dunford came to the program from the Toronto area. Like so many others, she relocated to Pembroke because of her passion for the outdoors and the opportunity to enroll in a program that would allow her to turn that passion into a career.

Wilderness Tours Founder Joe Kowalski spoke to the alumni, sharing his own story of starting his company in 1975 after he fell in love with the thrills of whitewater. Kowalski talked about how his business has changed, highlighted by his company’s relocation to a new site along the shores of the Ottawa River four years ago, a place many alumni were visiting for the first time. “I’m impressed that so many of you have come back to celebrate this special occasion,” said Kowalski, who will mark the 50th anniversary of his Wilderness Tours enterprise next year.

Outdoor Adventure alumni listen to speeches.

Outdoor Adventure alumni gather at Wilderness Tours to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary.

The Wilderness Tours partnership with the college was paramount to the program getting off the ground. The company was well established in adventure tourism and had the expertise to deliver the hundreds of hours of practical training experiences that have been the cornerstone of the program since the first intake in the Fall of 2000. Wilderness Tours also had the required resources for the training, including rafts, kayaks and mountain bikes.

Not much has changed in terms of how the program is delivered. Students still spend two days each week at the Wilderness Tours resort or Mount Pakenham ski hill, where they hone their skills, earning several industry-recognized certifications. When on campus, students learn about risk management, accounting, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship, and communications. This recipe of courses has helped many alumni start their own adventure tourism businesses or position them for leadership roles within the sector.

Algonquin College alumna Abigail Dunford speaks to a group of Outdoor Adventure graduates.

Algonquin College alumna Abigail Dunford , who graduated from the Outdoor Adventure program in 2017, speaks to a group of Outdoor Adventure alumni at the program’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Interim Dean Jamie Bramburger spoke about the impact the Outdoor Adventure program has had on the Pembroke campus. “When the program was launched, it showed us that if we created unique programs, we could attract students from outside of our area. I believe this program played a significant role in our ability to build the new Waterfront Campus because it demonstrated we could be a destination campus for students,” said Bramburger.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Outdoor Adventure program, the Pembroke campus announced the establishment of an endowment to support Outdoor Adventure students in financial need. The goal is to raise a minimum of $15,000, but it is hoped that the endowment will continue to grow to support more students by providing bursaries. Outdoor Adventure has one of the highest tuition of all programs offered by Algonquin College. Donations can be made at this link: Outdoor Adventure Bursary | Advancement and Strategy (algonquincollege.com)

Twenty-five years ago, the Pembroke Campus created one of the most exhilarating college programs in the world. By doing so, Canada’s multi-billion dollar tourism sector provided a skilled labour force focused on risk management and leadership skills. Since then, hundreds of graduates have taken their skills across the country and worldwide, starting up new adventure tourism businesses and strengthening the workforce in existing businesses. The program has left its mark and will continue to feed an evolving industry that remains vital to the nation’s economic prosperity.

Running a Marathon Into A New Career

The sweat dripped off the face of Nevill Carney as he crossed the finish line. It was a cooler and overcast Sunday afternoon in late May as he raised his arms in celebration of completing his first marathon. The pure exhilaration of running the 42.2 kilometre race was so satisfying that he forgot about the cramping pain he had experienced 30 kilometres into the Ottawa International Marathon.

He had finished the race in 5 hours, 18 minutes and one second. The time didn’t matter as much as the personal satisfaction of completing the marathon. The months of training through the winter months had been worth it. His body had responded well and the tips he had received from other runners were helpful.

For Carney, running the grueling race was the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. He had reached a pinnacle in his life, with everything coming together at once. Living in a new community, completing a college program, starting a new job and now holding on to a medal as proof that he had completed his first marathon.

Man crosses finish line at Ottawa International Marathon.

Nevill Carney completes the Ottawa International Marathon in 5 hours, 18 minutes and 1 second.

The journey to running in the marathon had started seven years earlier when Carney completed a half marathon in the Ottawa Army Run, but since then he had put running on the backburner. His focus was on choosing a second career and it brought him to Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus as a mature student.

When he was younger, Carney had completed an Advanced Diploma in the Film and Television Production program at Humber College in Toronto. That led to a job with the Discovery Channel where he travelled the world, helping to produce segments for shows like “Mighty Ships,” but when the winds of change blew through the sails of many media companies, he lost his job. That prompted Carney to move back to his hometown of Ottawa where he found employment in the trades working in home renovations. Eventually, he took a series of contracts with the federal government working in administrative roles with both Health Canada and Procurement Canada.

It was while working within the federal bureaucracy that he met his girlfriend who was from Eganville and in January 2023 Carney made the decision to move to the Ottawa Valley as the couple’s relationship became more serious. The move made finding employment in his new community a top priority, so he quickly inserted himself by becoming a volunteer with a local food bank as he started kicking the tires for job opportunities. At the same time, Carney started thinking about going back to school to better position himself for long term employment success in his new home.

He attended a career fair at Algonquin College’s Community Employment Services office in Eganville. There he met a college student recruiter and learned about the College’s new Business Fundamentals program, an eight month certificate program designed to help people move quickly back into the workforce with a fresh set of skills that were easily transferrable to many businesses. When he found out the program was offered in a multi-modal delivery format, it piqued his interest and he reached out to the Business program coordinator, Kim Drake, to learn more. He scheduled a virtual meeting with Drake and liked what he heard.

“The flexibility of being able to study in a multi-modal environment, that was huge,” says Carney about his decision to enroll in the program. “Kim did a great job explaining how multi-modal worked and left me feeling like she was my friend, not a faculty member.”

Man wearing medal he earned after running his first marathon.

Nevill Carney proudly wears the medal he earned after completing the 2024 Ottawa International Marathon.

That personal touch that Carney experienced is one of the trademarks of the Pembroke Campus. During the admissions cycle, program coordinators connect with incoming students to share more information about the program and to give the students the opportunity to ask questions. The process is called First Contact and it helps put students at ease, assisting them with building a relationship with one of their key faculty members before they start school.

As Carney had his questions answered he liked what he was hearing about the multi-modal delivery option. Multi-modal programs permit students to attend classes in person or join virtually. They can choose on a daily basis how they want to access their classes, but all students have the same timetable.

As a mature student, Carney was still weighing the pros and cons of returning to school, so he stayed connected with Drake and asked more questions. They got to know each other and Carney shared some of his personal interests, including an idea that had been percolating about running a marathon. Drake shared that the campus librarian, Patti Kim, had twice ran in the prestigious Boston Marathon and suggested he might want to talk to her about how she prepared for races. Carney acted quickly and was pleasantly surprised when Kim quickly responded to his email.

“Patti gave me some foundational pointers on nutrition, hydration and building a training plan. It was really helpful.” For Carney, the connection he was building with faculty and staff at the Pembroke Campus was increasingly convincing him he needed to follow through with his post-secondary plans. “When Patti responded quickly and was willing to meet with me, even before I started school, I could see myself studying here.”

At 36 years of age, Carney was taking the big step of enrolling again in college. He visited the campus and took a tour, introduced himself to the librarian and exchanged more running stories with her, met face to face with some of the other staff who he had been talking to as he made his decision to enroll in Business Fundamentals and then when September of 2023 arrived, he stepped into a classroom for the first time in many years.

He wanted to get to know his new classmates as quickly as possible so he chose to attend most classes in person during the Fall term, but when winter weather arrived, he increasingly joined classes from home. “Kim did a great job making everyone feel that they were part of the class environment,” regardless of how they were accessing the class. It was an eye opener into how much technology has taken a leading role in education,” says Carney.

Picture of man running in Ottawa International marathon.

Nevill Carney runs his first marathon in May of 2024.

Success came quickly for Carney. As he was nearing the completion of his program, he attended a job fair that was held on campus and had a good conversation with some of the city of Pembroke staff who were recruiting new employees. When Carney shared some of his background, he was encouraged to apply for a job with the city.

He had done well in his courses and had confidence as he interviewed for a temporary position within the city’s tourism department. When he got the summer job he quickly made an impression with city staff. That led to applying for a permanent position within the city’s planning department and just as he was finishing up his first marathon he received good news that he had won that competition too. Within a month of completing college, he had secured full time employment and had ran his first full marathon.

“When I was first humming and hawing about whether to go back to school, Kim Drake grounded me and showed me how the program would lead me to a career. The faculty care and want you to succeed,” says Carney who is looking forward to attending his convocation ceremony, the icing on the cake in a year long journey that has him running into a bright future.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College Pembroke Campus)

 

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus Builds Deeper Relationship with Garrison Petawawa

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has always had a close working relationship with Garrison Petawawa, but it has never been a formal partnership until now. Recently, campus Dean Sarah Hall and Garrison Commander, Colonel Jason Guiney signed a memorandum of collaboration as the campus held its first Canadian Armed Forces Day.

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

The agreement had been in the works for several months and signals the start of an important and mutually beneficial relationship aimed at supporting the educational needs of the military community. The CAF Day was an example of the partnership being implemented as the college customized an agenda that was geared to current military members, soldiers who will be leaving the military soon, veterans and military spouses.

One of the most powerful activities during the event was a panel of former military members who shared their experiences transitioning from the military to attending college and then entering the civilian workforce. There were six panelists, all of whom had attended the Pembroke Campus after leaving the Armed Forces.

All of them had a different story to share, some of them describing their departure from military life as a smooth transition while others said that they had difficulty adjusting to being a civilian. Regardless of their responses to the questions that were posed to them by the audience, they were transparent and offered great advice to the military members who attended the session.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is very familiar with the needs of former military members who join its learning community. In 2019 the campus surveyed its first year students and learned that three out of ten students indicated they had a member of their family who was in the Can

Former soldiers speak at Algonquin College

Former military members who studied at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus participate in a student panel at the College’s Canadian Armed Forces Day.

adian Armed Forces. It was a telling statistic, demonstrating the close linkage the campus has with military families.

The CAF Day also included a campus tour, an overview of the programs and services offered at the Pembroke Campus, information on Academic Upgrading courses, online learning, prior learning assessment and recognition, and supports that are provided to learners who have physical or learning disabilities.

Moving forward, the college is developing a special course for military members that will help them more easily make the transition to post-secondary education. The course will be offered to members of the army, navy or air force who are about to leave the military and have a plan to pursue higher education to help them access the civilian workforce. The first intake is planned for the fall of 2023 and will be delivered in person at the Pembroke Campus.

The memorandum of collaboration is a positive step towards deeper integration between the Garrison and the college at a time when there are widespread labour shortages in several sectors of the economy. Military members have a lot to offer to the civilian workforce. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is working towards opening more doors to allow them to earn the post-secondary credentials they desire as they choose a new career pathway after serving their country.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Jamie can be reached by email at brambuj@algonquincollege.com)

March Break Open House Was Amazing!

They travelled to Pembroke from across Ontario and beyond. Their goal was to see whether the Pembroke Waterfront Campus was the right place for them to pursue their post-secondary hopes and dreams. If the energy that was present on campus during our March Break Open House is any indication, it appears many of the prospective students who attended will be joining us in the Fall when their program starts.

A family poses with a teacher at March Break Open House at Algonquin College

A family poses with Social Service Worker coordinator Rhonda Mullin while attending March Break Open House at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

It was a special day to be on campus, in part because it has been three long years since the campus has been able to hold its annual March Break Open House, a signature student recruitment activity that always draws a large crowd. In the spring of 2020, the event had to be cancelled because of the surging COVID-19 pandemic and until this year, there hasn’t been an opportunity to reinstate the Open House.

Over a four hour period, students and their families were able to check out every corner of the campus which this year celebrated its tenth anniversary. It still looks brand new and the visitors were impressed by the facilities, including the Students’ Association gymnasium, fitness centre and rock climbing wall, but, they also liked meeting faculty from the programs they are interested in,

The teachers not only provided an overview of what the students can expect to learn in their program, many of them also did some show-and-tell in labs, allowing students to picture themselves gaining the hands on practical training that colleges are so respected for delivering.

A student panel shares their experience on attending Algonquin College.

Current students at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus answer questions from prospective students about their experience studying at the campus.

The highlight of the day was a student panel where five current students shared what their experience has been like at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The students provided authentic and transparent answers to questions asked by the audience, sharing how much they appreciated the picturesque setting that the campus sits on along the shores of the Ottawa River and the commitment of the staff and faculty to support them.

The questions came from both prospective students and parents and ranged from asking about living in the privately owned and operated student residences that house Algonquin students to finding the balance between working part time and staying on top of school work. Most of the students on the panel had re-located to Pembroke, partly because they had enrolled in a program that was unique to the campus or because they liked the small class sizes and the campus environment.

To finish off the day, the campus Food Services team had made homemade pizza, a nice touch that sent everyone home happy after a day of learning about all that the Pembroke Waterfront Campus has to offer. After three years of holding virtual Open Houses, it was really great to have so many people back on campus to truly experience how special of a place the Waterfront campus is.

Food Services staff serve homemade pizza to students and families.

The Food Services team at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus serve homemade pizza to prospective students and families who attended the March Break Open House on campus.

First impressions are important and the faculty and staff made their best effort to emphasize how all college employees play a role in the success of our students. It showed. Our visitors told us how much they enjoyed the day and how pleased they were that they had attended.

For students who weren’t able to make it to the Open House, they are invited to contact our recruitment team to book a campus tour. It remains the best way to make an informed decision on where to study and what program to choose. It often doesn’t take long for a student to know they have found the right campus. That was evident at our March Break Open House.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus)

 

Reflecting on a Special Year at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

As the calendar turns to a new year, there are many things to celebrate at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in review starts with a very special anniversary as we marked ten great years since we opened our campus along the shores of the Ottawa River. Graduating Students

We celebrated by inviting many of the people who contributed to the building of the campus, including elected officials, donors, current and past board members, strategic partners, alumni, employees and retirees, all of whom made contributions to the project. The celebration was capped by a surprise performance by Business alumnus and Canadian Country recording artist, Jason Blaine, who has become a leading philanthropist.

Blaine had another successful charity event in the summer of 2022, raising more than $130,000 for community causes. His charity has now invested more than $750,000 into community projects and services in the Pembroke area since it launched almost a decade ago. A major benefactor of Blaine’s generosity has been Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Blaine has donated $200,000 to the campus to support the building of the campus and an endowment fund that helps students in financial need. Jason Blaine

The generosity of Blaine has been extraordinary, but there are other great examples of the college community giving back. Students in the Forestry Technician program were presented with a Changemaker award by the College’s Board of Governors for their work in planting trees in a Forest of Hope near Beachburg, an initiative to bring awareness to preventing suicide.

Promoting equity, diversity and inclusion is a core value of Algonquin College and in the summer of 2022 a new mural was unveiled at the campus that has become a focal point for celebrating the many groups of people that are represented on campus. Many students and employees had the opportunity to participate in the mural painting, making the project very special to everyone who was involved in its creation.

Diversity MuralFor the first time, National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30 was marked with a special on campus ceremony of reflection led by the Campus Elder, Aimee Bailey. The back-drop for the ceremony was a powerful Legacy of Hope display that chronicled the indignities forced on Canada’s Indigenous peoples, such as the residential school system which separated thousands of children from their families, having a devastating impact on Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Services, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusWith the guidance of the Elder and Kampus Kokum, Joanne Haskins, the campus Medicine Wheel Garden was refreshed by students and faculty. This spiritual place is located on a hill to the west of the campus and has become a special area for reflection and learning about Indigenous teachings.

As students returned to campus in the Fall of 2022 in much larger numbers, following two years of adapting to primarily remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was renewed energy inside the building. Social events and activities were well attended by students who enjoyed the opportunity to connect to their peers outside the classroom, and the campus recreational facilities were well used as students enjoyed rock climbing, intramural sports and the fitness centre.

Prospective students also returned to campus. For the first time in three years, the campus held its Open House for senior high school students. More than 450 students from schools across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties attended. They participated in interactive activities and presentations led by faculty as they learned about the many programs and services offered at the campus.

A change in leadership occurred as the campus welcomed a new Dean and Board of Governor’s representative. Sarah Hall replaced Keltie Jones, becoming the seventh Dean in the more than 55 year history of the campus and Tony Pollard took over for Jay McLaren at the Governor’s table. Hall presided over her first convocation in June, a welcome return to an in person celebration of the graduates after the College had been holding online graduation ceremonies since the pandemic had started. Dean, Sarah Hall

As the campus looks toward 2023, it plans for more international students, new programs, more partnerships and the continued support of communities throughout the Ottawa Valley. Mostly, it looks to welcome more students who have hopes and dreams for life-long success. Happy New Year!

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The campus will be closed for the holiday season from Friday, December 23 until Monday January 2.)

 

 

 

Finding Redemption in the Rocky Mountains

Mathew Sheahan had considered it unfinished business. In the summer of 2019, he and two friends planned a 52-kilometre trek of a part of Sawbuck Trail, one of the toughest hikes in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, but the trip didn’t turn out as they had expected. It could have been a disaster, but for Sheahan, it became a watershed moment that drove him to enrol in the Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

Sheahan brought memories of that experience to Algonquin College, hoping the program would give him an opportunity for redemption. He needed to prove to himself that he could return to the Rockies, hoping to retrace his steps after learning the skills he felt he needed to manage the risks of the excursion. He set his sites on what is known as the final expedition, the culminating experience for Outdoor Adventure students at the end of their program.

ODA Students final expedition Photo

(Annalee Kanwisher and Anthony Balaz joined Matt Sheahan on their final expedition in the Outdoor Adventure program, agreeing to take Sheahan back for another attempt at the Sawback Trail)

During their Final X, groups of students plan a trip anywhere in the world, putting together detailed plans that are reviewed by their faculty before the students embark on what is often a very mentally and physically challenging activity. For Sheahan, it would look much different than the trip he and his two buddies had embarked on three years earlier.

The Sawback trail is located in Banff National Park in the rugged and beautiful Sawbuck Mountain range. It is filled with picturesque vistas including many alpine lakes and three spectacular passes. It’s considered a moderate to difficult hiking trip for experienced hikers with trip advisors recommending that travelling through the passage is best to do between July and September.

Having spent two years co-leading canoe expeditions in Frontenac Park, Sheahan had accumulated some outdoor adventure skills, but they were limited and his friends were really green when it came to backpacking, one of them having never gone on a camping trip in his life. It was supposed to be a six-day trip and because it was June, the group brought along sweaters and sweatpants, just in case the nights turned a bit chilly. “Our expectations were that this trip would in fact be simple, contrary to what online reviews had said,” recalls Sheahan.

But it wasn’t simple. It could in fact have cost the three young men their lives. Given their collective camping and hiking experience, it was an ambitious undertaking. They quickly learned it was a task they were ill-prepared for, especially when they were met by frigid temperatures, swirling winds and unexpected snowfall that left them exhausted and lost. They also determined they were in an avalanche zone and none of them had any safety training to protect them from the sudden cascade of tons of snow plowing down a mountainside.

The first three days of the trip went well. Daytime temperatures were close to 20 Degrees Celcius with overnight lows of about 10 Celcius, but on day four things changed when the men were unsure of where they were. They were at the base of a valley, surrounded by mountains. “It was here that we rolled the dice and decided to head North up a high-altitude mountain pass where we would eventually find ourselves in knee-deep snow,” recalls Sheahan.

ODA Students in Sawback Trail

(In 2019, Matt Sheahan and two friends tackled the Sawback Trail in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. It was an experience that changed his life and led him to Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure program so he would be better trained for the next time he attempted the trail.)

The trip up the mountain was treacherous. The group decided to come back down the same route they had taken so they could find a place to camp for the night. They could see a storm brewing in the distance and could feel the temperatures dropping. By nighttime, it had fallen to -5 Celcius. By morning, they awakened to snow and colder temperatures.

The sudden onslaught of winter conditions left the men cold and disoriented. Their clothing was wet, their bodies sore and the dampness of the conditions bit through their skin causing them to start questioning what they had got themselves into. They soon discovered they weren’t alone.

They were happy to meet another couple who were also trying to find their way in the harsh conditions and weren’t sure what direction to go. The group reached consensus to take a well-worn trail but when it led to a cliff edge they discovered it was a trail made by animals and now they truly were lost. Even worse, the trail they made behind them was disappearing as blizzard conditions blew the snow around and the temperature fell to -15 Celcius.

The group managed to find their way back to the main Sawback Trail, but by this point, Sheahan was exhausted. He had been carrying a 100-pound food barrel on his back for days. The higher altitude made the barrel feel heavier and the tight straps wrapped around his shoulders to secure the barrel were cutting off the blood circulation in his arms. He had barely had anything to eat in the last 24 hours and the lack of calories had him feeling weak. He collapsed.

Concerned for their trip leader, Sheahan’s two friends helped him take the barrel off his back and laid him under a pine tree where the couple who had joined them provided him with a portable heat source they had brought with them to help get the blood circulating in his body. It turned out the couple both had medical backgrounds, one of them being a family physician. Had they not been there, Sheahan isn’t sure what would have become of him.

The backpackers eventually got back on track and made it to their final destination, Lake Louise, where they celebrated the completion of the trip and reflected on the experience and the mistakes they had made. It was a turning point for Sheahan who was studying geography and sociology at Carleton University in Ottawa. The experience prompted him to leave university and enroll in the Outdoor Adventure program, primarily because he knew he needed to better understand risk management because his heart told him it wouldn’t be the first time he would tackle the great outdoors.

Fast forward to the spring of 2022 and Sheahan pitched his idea to a few classmates to re-trace his tracks along the Sawback Trail. He found a couple of students who were willing to join him on the expedition, Annalee Kanwisher and Anthony Balaz, and the three started mapping out their journey, which was scheduled for April 11 to 17, meaning it would still be winter conditions in the Mountains.

Final Expedition ODA Students

(During their final expedition, the three Outdoor Adventure students kept a log of the trip that included a video that captures the challenges they faced and the toll the hiking trip took on all of them.)

Some of the trip was déjà vu for Sheahan. He and his new hiking teammates again faced wintry weather, but this time it was much colder. The mercury sometimes dipped to minus-30 Celcius. Their boots got wet, their feet blistered, they were cold and the walking was often difficult. Sheahan was again the trip leader. He knew morale had dropped the further the classmates got into the expedition.

At one point they contemplated turning back, but they persevered. By the time they exited the trail, they were exhausted but also satisfied that they had accomplished what they had set out to do. They knew they had prepared well, but also realized that the backcountry can be unpredictable and they had chosen a difficult time of the year to take on the Sawback Trail.

It was the final assignment in a two-year Outdoor Adventure program that was offered during a worldwide pandemic. Sheahan and his classmates still spent many hours learning skills in outdoor settings but spent more time than previous cohorts learning virtually. But as his post-secondary journey at Algonquin comes to a close, Sheahan is pleased he has accomplished one of his key goals-better understanding risk management in outdoor activities.

“Prior to joining this program, I would not have imaged myself climbing waterfalls, sea kayaking in windstorms or rafting down class three rapids, but having done these things now, I am confident I can lead clients through those same situations,” says Sheahan.

ODA Students Sawback Trail

Matthew Sheahan is on a life-long journey. A narrow escape in some of Canada’s most rugged territory brought him to the Outdoor Adventure program and a commitment to learning helped him learn from his previous mistakes and has inspired him to continue to explore some of the most interesting places on earth. He has proven he has the spirit and the drive to be an adventurer, but now he knows his career comes with risk and he is much better prepared to face the next Sawback Trail.

He achieved what he set out to do when he enrolled in the Outdoor Adventure program, and this time he was satisfied he did things right. It wasn’t easy, but after logging 130 kilometres, far more than the group had planned, he appreciates that every adventure activity he engages in is a learning experience.

“While as a group we all agreed we wouldn’t do that route again, winter expeditions like this one are certainly going to be in my future. I really enjoyed the challenge and what it means to push my limits, whilst still understanding the risk affiliated with each venture. It was certainly a valuable skill that ODA taught me,” says Sheahan.

Canada is a vast country with a lot of backcountry. Sheahan might be just getting started as an Outdoor Adventure explorer. With each experience, he’ll continue to learn, but at least now he has a foundation to build on. He found redemption in the Rockies.

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Virtual Open House on October 20th

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus continues to expand its programming, offering more choices for anyone interested in pursuing a college certificate, diploma or degree. The campus will be hosting a virtual Open House on Wednesday, October 20 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. that will include an opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the programs.

The sessions will be led by faculty who teach in the 23 programs that will be represented. The program mix at the campus includes business, technology, health care, skilled trades and unique programs such as Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety, Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Technician.

The campus is also launching two new programs starting in January of 2022. Geographical Information Systems is a post-graduate certificate program and Computer Programming is a two-year diploma program that includes an optional paid co-op experience. These programs join the Environmental Management and Assessment post-graduate certificate program that was offered for the first time at the campus last year.

In addition to the program sessions, there will also be a special session for parents and several student services sessions that will help address questions about admissions requirements, financial aid and what supports are available to help students succeed in their academic programs. When the time comes to visit the campus, students will really be able to appreciate the picturesque beauty of the campus which is located on the shores of the Ottawa River.

Virtual sessions have proven to be very convenient for prospective students and their families, particularly applicants who don’t live in Pembroke. It eliminates the need to travel and provides great access to faculty and student services staff to get questions answered. A virtual campus tour is also available and there will be some prizes available for those who attend.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organizations to expand their use of technology and the same is true for Algonquin College. While more programming is gradually returning to the Waterfront Campus, remote learning is continuing and the College is utilizing platforms such as ZOOM to be able to bring information to prospective students in the most convenient way possible.

Pre-registration is required for the virtual Open House so that links can be provided to students who want to attend. The event is open to anyone who is interested in attending Algonquin College as representatives for the Ottawa and Perth campuses will also be available to answer questions. Information on the Open House has been shared with high schools and employment services offices throughout the region as Ontario Colleges are now receiving applications for both the Winter and Fall 2022 intakes.

In fact, offers of admission for the Fall 2022 intake will start to be made as of November 1st so it’s not too early to apply and make plans for attending a college program. Applications can be made online at www.ontariocolleges.ca. Prospective students can pre-register for the Open House at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/voh/

 

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Jamie can be reached at brambuj@algonquincollege.com or at 613-735-4700, ext. 2756

The Big Day Arrives-Congratulations You’ve Been Offered Admission!

February 1st is one of the greatest days of the year for Ontario college applicants. As the clock ticked past midnight, all of the province’s public colleges started making offers of admission, including Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

What a way to start the week. It’s one of the best feelings an applicant can have. It’s like a breath of fresh air while standing on a mountain, realizing that your career goals are now within reach. That is what today is like for hundreds of applicants who first received the good news from the Pembroke Campus by email. Their hard-copy admissions offer will arrive by traditional mail this week.

Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

The email was packed with great information about the next steps applicants must take to secure their seat in their program, but mostly it was about making applicants feel welcome. Video congratulatory messages from the Campus Dean, Dr. Keltie Jones and the program coordinator were included, plus some programs included an invitation to meet with the coordinator and other admitted students in a virtual meet and greet later in the day. In other programs, faculty were busy calling incoming students to congratulate them.

These initial contacts are a great way for applicants to start making connections with the campus and the people they will be spending a lot of time with once classes start in September. It makes applicants feel much more comfortable with the important decision they now have to make, confirming they have found the right program and the right campus for their post-secondary studies.

Applicants have until May 1st to confirm their offer of admission, but from past experience, the College knows that many applicants will confirm their seat within hours or days of receiving the good news. They’re excited to get their plans in order, but the message the College wants them to receive is that our team will be there for them all the way through their educational journey. First impressions matter and the Pembroke Campus has a well-earned reputation for fulfilling the College mission to help students transform their hopes and dreams into life-long success.

Personal Support Worker, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

There are many key dates in the admissions cycle. Beyond the confirmation deadline of May 1st, tuition deposits are due June 15th and conditionally accepted applicants who have outstanding academic requirements have until August 1st to get this work done. Orientation activities will be available in the summer months to prepare students for classes and formal academic orientation sessions will be offered a few days before classes begin the day after Labour Day.

So to keep applicants on track with the tasks that need to be completed, the Pembroke Campus will communicate with applicants through email, phone calls, social media posts and website updates. Staying connected is critical to ensure a successful start to college and today was the first step in building a relationship with the incoming class to ensure they know who they can reach out to if they need help with things like applying for financial aid, submitting documents, or securing housing in Pembroke.

Staying in touch with the campus is important because September is many months away. Given the many questions newly admitted applicants will have about how the College is delivering courses and services during the COVID-19 pandemic and how things might change in the weeks and months ahead is a good reason for prospective students to participate in activities the College plans for them. Applicants can also visit the College’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.

Environmental Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Applicants who do not receive an offer on February 1st should not be discouraged. There is still plenty of time to apply to College or complete academic upgrading to be considered for admission. Most programs will remain open leading into the start of classes in September until there are no longer any seats available. Applications will now be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and offers of admission will be made once the College admissions officers have all of the information they need to assess the application. This primarily requires the submission of educational transcripts.

Some programs attract many applications and these are the programs that require applicants to apply as early as possible. Programs that attract a lot of applications at the Pembroke Campus include Nursing, Forestry Technician and Carpentry and Renovations Techniques, so applying soon is advised to avoid the risk of being placed on a waitlist.

Today is a day to celebrate for the applicants who applied early and received an offer of admission. Congratulations to every one of you and we look forward to having you study with us at the Waterfront Campus.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

A Year Like None Other Comes to a Close

2020 will be remembered as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide health crisis that disrupted our lives, but as we look back on 2020 we can also celebrate some of the great things that happened at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in a review captures a few of the highlights.

January 2020: The New Year began with lots of energy and enthusiasm as students returned from the holiday break. We also said goodbye to dozens of graduates who completed their programs in December, including Abhi Gupta of the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program. A few months later Abhi would deliver our valedictory address at our convocation ceremony from his home country of India.

Rock climbing wallFebruary 2020: In February we held what has become one of the social highlights of the winter, our annual carnival featuring student-staff hockey games for women and men, some fun outdoor and indoor winter activities and a shared lunch and dinner with students and employees. During this month, more than 30 campus employees also visited the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan reserve to learn more about Indigenous culture, a powerful learning experience as the College continues its Indigenization journey. We also celebrated the opening of a new rock climbing wall in the campus gymnasium.

March 2020: This was the month that everything changed. We had been planning for our March Break Open House with more than 350 people registered to attend when on March 13 the College suspended classes and told its employees and students to work and study from home. In a remarkable accomplishment, our faculty were able to pivot to deliver all course content in a remote delivery format using Zoom technology. The student services team also began offering all of its supports virtually, allowing students to complete their winter term.

April 2020: In April we held our first virtual Speaker Series with Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe answering questions on leadership, coaching and all things hockey. The event was sponsored by the Algonquin College Students’ Association who worked diligently to add many virtual social events to keep students engaged as they studied remotely.

Support Care studentMay 2020: In May we kicked off our Spring/Summer Term by continuing to offer programming and services virtually. By this point, a lot of great work had happened to support students including the introduction of a new virtual student learning kit. We also thanked the many healthcare students at our campus who volunteered and found employment on the frontlines of the pandemic. They were true heroes who were risking their own health to support vulnerable patients in health care settings, particularly long term care centres that were hard hit by the virus.

physical distancing signJune 2020: The College announced its intentions to deliver the majority of its programs remotely in the Fall 2020 Term as a public safety measure to protect students and employees from the COVID-19 virus. The decision allowed students to better plan their academic journey. It also meant that many out-of-town students were not required to re-locate to Pembroke as they were studying from home, while others who were in programs that had weekly in-person activities did come to Pembroke.

July 2020: Some of our students returned to campus in July to complete the practical skills they required to graduate from their program. With special permission from the province, these pilot programs had built in many safety mitigation policies to protect students and faculty from contracting the coronavirus. Our Forestry students were equipped with a large tent where they could be taught outdoors before making their way into the woods to put their newly learned skills to the test through practical applications. The lessons learned from our forestry faculty allowed other teachers to get creative in how they delivered in-person classes in the Fall Term.

August 2020: The College introduced a new COVID-19 safety course for students and employees who were required to be on campus. A COVID-19 tracking app was also introduced and the College imposed a mandatory face mask policy for anyone who was on campus. The Algonquin College Students’ Association also began celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Outdoor Adventure Naturalist, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusSeptember 2020: We started a new school year with more than 900 full-time students registered, plus dozens of apprenticeship and Academic Upgrading students. While the majority of our courses were delivered remotely, some face-to-face instruction was provided particularly in our outdoor training programs such as Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Technician. The College also celebrated having its first Kampus Kokum, Annie Parker, who provides insight, support and personal consultation for our Indigenous learners. We were also pleased to acknowledge our Campus Board of Governors representative, Jay McLaren, who with his wife Linda, an alumnus, was awarded the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement award. September also marked the 20th anniversary of the launch of our popular Outdoor Adventure program, and so we looked back on the program’s history with a series of stories about our faculty and alumni.

Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

October 2020: For the first time in the more than 50-year history of Algonquin College, the Pembroke Campus held a virtual convocation ceremony. The ceremony featured video addresses from the College President, the Campus Dean and the campus valedictorian. In October we also held our first Fall Business Leadership Virtual Conference which was attended by almost 90 business leaders from across the region.

November 2020: Student leaders at the Pembroke Campus initiated a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion forum to advance the college’s social justice work by tackling the issue of racism. Former Ontario Attorney General, Yasir Naqvi, was the keynote speaker at the virtual forum and empowered students by telling them, it was a time to be bold.” Students in our Outdoor Adventure Naturalist also helped complete the three-year Natural Edge Program project in partnership with Watershed Canada and Muskrat Watershed Council by helping to plant the last 15,000 native trees and shrubs on five agricultural sites naturalizing 4,400-metres of shoreline. We also marked Remembrance Day with a virtual ceremony of Remembrance that included some of our employees and students who had military connections.

December 2020: The final month of the year brought unfortunate news that three campus employees and one student had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This occurred as COVID cases spiked across the province and the country, but there was also some good news during this month as a new approved vaccine started being distributed in Canada.

Personal Support Worker Graduates, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

There is no question that 2020 was a year like none other in the history of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, but through it all, we learned of beautiful acts of kindness by our students, alumni and employees. Many of our graduates were working on the frontline of the pandemic, putting their lives at risk to help the most vulnerable people in our society.

When the calendar turns to January we will celebrate the launch of our new Environmental Management and Assessment post-graduate certificate program and another offering of the Personal Support Worker program in collaboration with Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew. We will also launch the first level of the Electrician Apprentice program, following up a very successful Electrician – Construction and Maintenance – Pre-Apprentice offering.

We look forward to 2021 with hopes and dreams that our students, alumni and employees will achieve all of their personal and career goals.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

20 Years of Outdoor Adventure at the Pembroke Campus

Kayaks

In the summer of 1999, Kent MacDonald jumped into a raft at Wilderness Tours resort. It was his first time rafting the Ottawa River and an opportunity to learn more about what a potential student experience would be like if his academic department pursued an Outdoor education program. MacDonald was the Chair of the Business and Technology department at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus and knew that the campus was exploring new opportunities to grow its enrolments. One of the ideas on the table was an outdoor education program that would support the growing adventure tourism sector.

MacDonald was a visionary, a big thinker and an entrepreneur, personality traits that would propel him to the presidency of three institutions during his career, Algonquin College, St. Francis Xavier University and now Northwood University in Michigan. On that hot, sunny day on the Ottawa River, MacDonald was envisioning what the program could look like and how a partnership with the private sector would be needed to make it financially viable.

Rafting

With a senior guide steering the raft through the rapids, the flat water sections of the river provided ample opportunity for MacDonald to ask questions. He wanted to know about the needs of the industry, the growth in rafting trips and the infrastructure that was available at Wilderness Tours for student learning? By the time the trip was over, he was sitting across the table from the owner of Wilderness Tours, Joe Kowalski, and discussions were underway on how the College and adventure company could jointly build a program that would produce graduates with both practical skills and business acumen that would advance the adventure tourism sector.

“I had no reservations. We developed the program together with the professional team at Wilderness Tours. Each of us knew what each institution was able to bring to the table. We were both committed to quality and safety, and Wilderness Tours could do a better job than we could, in terms of providing industry expertise, risk management, outstanding facilities and equipment and of course, excellent contacts within the industry for our students to obtain employment. It was a perfect scenario and an opportunity that was obvious in my view,” says MacDonald.

Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusLike MacDonald, Kowalski saw the potential in a partnership with the College. “This was exactly what the industry needed. It helped bring credibility to the adventure tourism sector and we were very proud to be pioneers with Algonquin College in developing the most successful Outdoor Adventure program on the planet,” says Kowalski who himself is into his fifth decade of owning an adventure tourism business.

Over the next few weeks, MacDonald and Kowalski would meet often, bringing their teams together to hammer out the details of what the program would entail. By the time the fall of 1999 rolled around, the pieces were in place. Students would spend two days a week at Wilderness Tours and Mount Pakenham, which Kowalski jointly owned, and three days a week on campus learning business fundamentals that would apply to adventure tourism.

Courses like risk management, accounting, finance, marketing and communication skills would be taught, but the big attraction to students would be the opportunity to earn more than 20 industry-recognized certifications while learning practical skills like whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking, rock and ice climbing and scuba diving. It was truly the most exhilarating college program on earth and not surprisingly it was an overwhelming success when it launched in the fall of 2000.

With only 40 spaces available in its first intake, the program attracted almost 250 applications. Through a competitive process applicants needed to meet academic requirements for English and Math, needed to submit letters of intent and reference letters to describe the attributes they would bring to the program, and participate in a program readiness camp. Two decades later, those same requirements continue to be part of the admissions process and the program continues to attract students from across the country, and in some cases international destinations.

Ben ShillingtonAmong the students who enrolled that first year was Ben Shillington who had no intention of continuing on to post-secondary education. ” Upon graduation from high school, my plan was to bicycle solo and self-supported across Canada. After arriving on the West Coast, I planned to find a place to train in both whitewater rafting and mountaineering. Shortly before graduating high school, my guidance counsellor gave me a sheet of paper highlighting a new program still pending approval called “Outdoor Adventure Guide Diploma” With a list of training and certification in everything from mountain biking to scuba diving and ice climbing along with some in-class education I couldn’t think of a better bang for buck opportunity.”

Twenty years later, Shillington is perhaps the most adventurous graduate the program has ever produced. His adventures started right after he completed the program. Shillington followed through on his plan to bike solo across the country. He then became a whitewater raft guide that summer while also climbing and filming a two-month mountaineering expedition in the Himalayas as part of an adventure documentary series for the Discovery Channel.

There’s not much Shillington hasn’t done in the adventure world. His long list of adventures includes working, travelling and training in 28 countries, three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, a three-week ski expedition on one of the coldest places on earth in the winter – Lake Winnipeg, an 11,000-kilometre bike expedition from Istanbul, Turkey to Beijing, China and the list goes on. Shillington has also written a book on winter camping and he continues to be a lead practical skills trainer for the program that changed his point of view on post-secondary education.

When he speaks about the program and what it meant to his development as an adventure guide, Shillington simply says. “What you put into it, is what you will get out of it.”

The idea for an outdoor education program was first brought forward by Dawn Dubé, who was the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at the Pembroke Campus during the 1990’s. She had watched her son and his friends embrace adventure activities and felt strongly that there was room in the marketplace for a college program that would teach these skills for the emerging adventure tourism industry. She brought the suggestion to the attention of Campus Dean, Marguerite Donohue, who also thought it was a good idea. When MacDonald joined the campus management group in 1998 he was given the task of bringing the idea to fruition.

When the Outdoor Adventure program started, the Pembroke Campus of Algonquin College had about 500 full-time students. Its impact on the campus can not be understated. The program’s ability to attract out-of-town students opened a door for the campus to launch other outdoor training programs, resulting in significant enrolment growth that helped contribute to the 2012 opening of a new Waterfront Campus along the shores of the Ottawa River and adjacent to Pembroke’s downtown.

Outdoor Ed Students

Twenty years after the Outdoor Adventure program helped the Pembroke Campus become a destination for college-bound students who wanted to experience a program like no other in the province at the time, the program has become a flagship program for the campus. It has produced graduates that work all around the world, many of whom have started their own adventure businesses, a primary goal of MacDonald’s when he signed off on the program launch two decades ago.

“We always wanted to have Algonquin Outdoor Adventure graduates who were professional and highly prepared to make a difference in the industry. We underestimated them-they have actually changed it for the better! says MacDonald, who glows when speaking about how graduates now work all around the world.

He also offers this advice to future students. “Take advantage of being one of those special people who have been selected to participate in the best outdoor college program in North America. Increase your knowledge, enhance your skill-base and then take those outcomes to make a difference in the multi-billion dollar industry in Canada.”

That’s exactly the approach Cameron Dubé had in mind when as a 21-year old young man he enrolled in the program in its second year. Dubé had grown up in the Ottawa Valley and is among a small group of local students who have enrolled in the program over the years. Most of the students who move to Pembroke to take the program come from Ontario and Quebec, given Pembroke’s close proximity to the provincial border, but the program always has students from coast to coast and beyond Canada’s footprint.

Cameron Dube, Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke

“I knew that at this point in my life it was time to take my life experiences as a ski instructor at Whistler/Blackcomb and Kicking Horse Resort and as a raft guide at Wilderness Tours to the next level by adding a diploma to my resume, and it worked!.” After graduating, Dubé quickly found management level positions within the adventure tourism sector and eventually returned to school to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management through an articulation agreement that was established with Thomson Rivers University in British Columbia. Now, in between expeditions that have taken him to many parts of the world, Dubé teaches technical skills in the program, returning full circle to the College that gave him his Outdoor Adventure diploma.

On that initial rafting trip, the guide pointed out to MacDonald an osprey, a large fish-eating bird that had built a nest high in a tree looking over the Ottawa River. It was a reminder for MacDonald of how nature could be so engaging and why millions of people around the world seek out opportunities to explore Canada’s natural beauty, including its animal habitat. Perhaps, it planted a seed for what would become a spin-off program to Outdoor Adventure two years later, Outdoor Adventure Naturalist, a business tourism program that focuses on nature interpretation and soft adventure skills like flatwater canoeing and kayaking, astronomy and cross-country skiing.

At the core of the program’s success has been its faculty. Experienced adventure tourism practitioners like long-time coordinator Jeff Jackson, Chris Melmoth and Ian Pineau brought years of industry experience into the classroom, and worked with practical skills subject matter experts at Wilderness Tours to build a solid foundation of expertise that has set a high expectation for students who enroll in the program.

Outdoor Adventure has proven to be a college program like no other, a program that has now turned out hundreds of graduates. These alumni have climbed Mount Everest and Kilimanjaro, have led expeditions on all corners of the planet, have improved safety through their attention to risk management and have created jobs through their entrepreneurial ambition to create their own adventure companies. It’s exactly what MacDonald had envisioned and it’s worth making a splash about as Algonquin’s Outdoor Adventure program celebrates its twentieth anniversary.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager, Community and Student Affairs