Certification in Adventure Tourism and Recreation Vancouver Island University - Nanaimo Campus

The curriculum of this one-year Certificate in Adventure Tourism and Recreation is designed to train individuals wishing to enter the adventure tourism and recreation field at the assistant guide level. The certificate provides students with a broad understanding of the practices and principles of the adventure tourism industry and assistant guide level field skills with special emphases in sea kayak touring, and coastal and cultural interpretation. The program includes an historical and philosophical overview of leisure, recreation, and adventure tourism, and examination of the relationship between natural resources and the development of sustainable tourism and recreation opportunities. Also completed are studies of successful leadership in coast eco-adventure tourism, the planning and delivery of environmental, coastal and cultural interpretation, and programming for adventure tourism and recreation. The field and internship components prepare students for assistant level guiding in marine and land environments.

Ideally situated on Mid-Vancouver Island with spectacular views of the coastal mountains, Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with approximately 15,000 students across four campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections, and international collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training.

To be a part of the VIU community is to know what it is like to matter here. The VIU community acknowledges the traditional, unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’Amin, Snaw-naw-as, and Qualicum First Nation on whose lands it teaches, learns, researches, lives, and shares knowledge. It raises its hands and says, "Hay ch qa’ sii’em sieye’ yu mukw" Mustimuxw to the original stewards of these territories.