How to Apply

Applicants must apply to the Adventure Guide Certificate (two semesters of study) before they can apply to the Adventure Guide Diploma for a second year of study.

Admission to the Adventure Guide Certificate and Adventure Guide Diploma are competitive entries, with the department evaluation applications on skill development, experience level and program fit.

The Adventure Studies program has a multi-step application process. All steps must be completed in order to be considered for admission.

• Application Instructions (PDF)
• Student Information Form (Word document)

Applications for 2025-26 are now open until the program is full!

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Admission requirements

Applicants to certificate and diploma programs must meet the following educational requirements:

Educational requirements

• BC Grade 12, Adult Dogwood, or Mature student status or equivalent
• English 12, or equivalent - completion
• Math 11, or equivalent - completion

General requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 19 years of age at the start of the program.
• Attend a program information session by telephone or in person.
• Submit the Adventure Program Information Package (resume, cover letter, student information form, outdoor experience log, 2 references)

19 years age requirement: Many of our field courses take place in Class 3 Complex Terrain (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale) and per the Parks Canada Custodial Group Policy: "Custodial groups are not permitted in complex terrain under any conditions."

If you’re under 19 and interested in the program, contact adventure@tru.ca to learn more about optional pathways at TRU leading to the Adventure Guide Certificate.

Program Information Sessions

Virtual meetings:

• Nov 27, 2024
• Dec 11, 2024
• Jan 8, 2025
• Jan 22, 2025

Sign up for a session

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Interview

After reviewing applications, some individuals may be asked to attend an interview with faculty members to help determine the applicant’s readiness for admission.

Admission interviews may be conducted on-site at TRU, by telephone or by video conferencing.

Applications will NOT be accepted without applicants having attended a program information session.

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Exemptions

Exemptions to admission requirements may be granted by the Chairperson of the Adventure Studies Department.

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Acceptance into a program

Written notice is given by TRU Admissions to applicants who have been accepted into a program offered by the Adventure Studies Department.

A non-refundable commitment fee of $500 is required to secure a place in the Adventure Guide Certificate for domestic students, and $5,000 for international students. This fee will be applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Successful applicants must submit:

• A completed medical questionnaire for the certificate and diplomas.
• A signed Adventure Studies Department liability waiver, assumption of risk, and indemnifying release form, provided by the department.
• A signed photo release form
• Language Proficiency Index (LPI) results, if required.

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Physical condition

The certificate and diploma programs are physically demanding. Students must arrive in good physical condition suitable for participating in strenuous outdoor activities.

A completed medical questionnaire is required for the certificate and diploma programs. This form will be forwarded to applicants from the department office upon acceptance to the program.

Students must possess medical coverage and will be required to have additional coverage for any course held in foreign countries, including the United States.

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Risk statement

At TRU Adventure, we use the land and water as tools to teach students technical skills, leadership and guiding skills. Our adventure sport courses include mountaineering, white water rafting, ski touring, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and much more. Field courses are immersive and can be intense.

Safety is a top priority at TRU Adventure, and we incorporate risk management as an essential element in all our programming. Risk and uncertainty, however, are central to adventure guide training.

Students are exposed to settings and situations which will challenge them physically and emotionally. The environments in which our courses operate have inherent risks which range from avalanches, to drowning, to falling rock or ice. Adventure sports by their nature have risks that cannot be eliminated and which we accept as part and parcel to the learning process of becoming a guide.

Since our start 31 years ago in 1992, there have been no student fatalities, but there are occasional injuries which range from sprains and strains to shoulder dislocations and concussions. While we have robust risk management processes to reduce risk, the possibility of injury and even death cannot be eliminated.

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Legal release document

Due to the varying levels of risk associated with adventure sports and outdoor activities, participants must sign the Adventure Studies Department’s Liability Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnifying Release Form. Participants may want to seek legal advice regarding their signing of this form.

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Clothing and equipment

Students provide their personal clothing and some equipment, such as a backpack, backcountry skis, skins, climbing harness, sleeping bag, and boots.

The Adventure Studies Department manages an extensive equipment bay with rock climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, rafting, skiing, avalanche, mountaineering, rescue, and camping equipment.

Adventure Studies students have free access to this extensive equipment resource and may wish to consult with program faculty before making major equipment purchases.

Group equipment (such as stoves, avalanche transceivers, climbing equipment, canoe and kayak equipment, and tents) is provided.