Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road P7B 5E1 Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

These dates are coming up quick! Make sure you read all the details to get registered. This is a great event and we encourage all alumni and students to participate if you can. If you haven't already make sure you give Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO) Project Canoe and Canopa - The Canadian Outdoor Professionals Association a like/follow.

Please join us in congratulating this year's graduating class, ORPT '21. Tonight these students are logging on to their virtual Final Debrief. The "Final Debrief" is a long standing tradition providing students and faculty a time to reflect on their four years in ORPT. This year's class gifts are handcrafted spoons from Hockleycrest Spoon Company. Congratulations Graduates!

#throwbackthursday to September 2020 when our fourth-year students kayaked on Lake Superior for their OUTD 4370: Field Explorations day trips.

It's not too late to apply for September 2021! Use the link below. Have questions about the program? PM us or email us from our website link. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/admissions

Today is one year since the 2020 Sleeping Giant Loppet. Typically, first-year students in Group Dynamics volunteer in the event to learn how important volunteers are in effectively managing such a large group of people. If you are missing this event like us, check out this video from last year!

Make sure you mark your calendars for this event! Scott Kress is an ORPT Alumnus (Bsc'93/HBOR'93). In the pursuit of bigger and bigger goals, Scott and three partners skied unsupported from the coast of Antarctica 960km to the South Pole; one of the most difficult and grueling journeys on earth. Along with this achievement comes Scott's keynote, "Achieve the Outrageous". In this presentation, Scott will share the story of his punishing 44-day expedition across some of the most hostile ground on the planet and punctuate it with learning and application.

Check out this article about doctors prescribing time in nature for health. Rec’ers have long known the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors. How do you feel after a half hour recreating in nature?

Happy Family Day! How are you enjoying the day? Many recreation areas offer beautiful sights and a range of activities no matter the season. What are some of your favourite multi-use and multi-season areas around Thunder Bay? Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

Check out the newest edition of The Walleye - Thunder Bay's Arts & Culture Magazine featuring ORPT alumnus and instructor Joe Duncan "dress for success" on pg. 16-17.

ORSS (Outdoor Recreation Student Society) has put together a great resource for students and alumni to connect with potential employers. Check out their website if you are looking for a job. If you are an employer looking to hire students or graduates feel free to contact them via website or email: [email protected]

Don't miss out! ORPT will be a part of a live webinar series happening this Thursday at 4:00PM EST. You will be able to ask questions and learn about the program and Lakehead University.

Mark your calendars! Want to know what Outdoor Recreation, Parks, & Tourism is really like? Are you or someone you know interested in ORPT at Lakehead? Make sure to tune into our live webinar January 14th at 4:00PM EST via zoom to get a sense of the program and ask questions to the recruitment office, an assistant professor, and current students of the program. Link to register - https://lakeheadu.zoom.us//regis/WN_Ln9Gzv6YR_2SFQrnpgrHDQ

Spending time in the outdoors can lead to many positive health outcomes. Check out this article below from Ontario Parks outlining the mental health and wellness benefits. This time of year can be very hard on our health, look out for yourself, and others, and get outside when and where you can safely. https://www.ontarioparks.com//mental-health-benefits-outd/

What a creative activity by Kingfisher Lake Outdoor Education Centre and an ORPT alumna! https://fb.watch/3dtA0TMlD3/

We're on Instagram! Find us @lakeheadorpt Thank you to everyone who has already given a follow, and welcome to new followers! Know of a past, current, or future student? Share this snapshot of what we're all about, and help us grow the community!

Wishing our students the best on exams and finishing up their semester! Happy studying!! . . . .... . . . 1. Onion Lake 2. Mt. Rose See more

Check out our Instagram page for a chance to win one of the new ORSS designed t-shirts. All the contest details are there, find us at lakeheadorpt.

Do you miss traveling? Students in our new 4th year course, Ethics and Justice in Travel, reflected on the value of finding adventure and beauty close to home. Check out their photos of special places within walking distance of their homes.

Wondering what types of skills you can learn through the ORPT program? Here's a quote from an alumnus about the value of interpersonal skills from recent research completed by undergrads. "No matter where you go, there will be someone who will be difficult to work with and the skills I learned in ORPT have been extremely valuable [in working with them]". Students in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, & Tourism develop strong interpersonal skills and gain an in-depth understanding of group dynamics. Whitewater Canoeing in Wabakimi Provincial Park

Come chat with a representative from ORPT on Dec 9th to find out what the program and Lakehead is all about.

Check out this edition of the Quinzhee Quarterly! If you're not familiar with the publication is it produced by the student society (ORSS) with content submitted by students and alumni. Happy Reading!! #orpt #lakeheadlife #orss #studentsociety #reading #localreads https://pdf.ac/bG4NV

Turn on the sound and check out this snapshot of what it's like to be a part of Lakehead University's School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism! Want to learn more? Visit us this Saturday at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities booth at Lakehead University's Virtual Open house! Register online at lakeheadu.ca/openhouse... Saturday, October 24, 2020 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT (UTC/GMT - 4) #mylakehead #lakeheadu See more

Do you know a future student of Lakehead University? Let them know they can talk to faculty and current students of ORPT this Saturday, Oct 24 at the Virtual Open House.

Congratulations to #ORPT alumna Julia Postigo-Rombola! What an exciting new position for you at Northern Lights School Thunder Bay, a Waldorf-inspired elementary school that engages the head, the heart, and the hands in a holistic learning process! #adventureeducation #lakeheadorpt #LakeheadProud

We know you've been wondering what that mystery sound from the senior ORPT trip to Pigeon River Provincial Park was, well here it is! Let us know if you thought it was Otters or if this answer surprised you. #naturesounds #soundon #otters #getouside #lakeheadorpt #lakeheadlife

Test your identification skills. Guess what our senior ORPT students encountered while out hiking in Pigeon River Provincial Park. Listen closely for clues! Post your guess in the comments below, the mystery will be revealed on Thursday! #soundon #naturesounds #nature #soundsoftheoutdoors #getoutside #lakeheadorpt #mylakehead

"Learn CPR. You could save a life". #ORPT alumnus Jonathan Fletcher's story is proof. Making sure he kept his skills current through recertification, Jonathan was ready when put to the test. The result: he saved his neighbour's life. Well done Jonathan! #CPR #LakeheadProud #AlumniInAction

#ORPT alumna Kate Boyd is the first female high-performance director for the national governing body of cross-country and para-Nordic skiing. Congratulations Kate on your new position with Nordiq Canada! #XcountrySkiing #femaleleaders #LUAlumni #LakeheadProud

Senior #ORPT students have been spending the past few days on the water earning their ORCKA III certification. Here they learn how to do canoe-over-canoe rescues at Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area. #backtoschool #canoeing #ExperientialEd

If you are new to Thunder Bay or have been here for a while, check out these great opportunities offered by Lakehead Region Conservation Authority to get to know the land!

Weather comes in all shapes and forms in Thunder Bay and region. Good quality rain gear is one of the most important items when going on ORPT (and generally all) trips and expeditions. Here are some helpful tips to think about when considering buying some rain gear: - Type of fabric - Water repellent vs water resistant - Taped seams - Breathable vs non-breathable... - Lightweight - Pack-ability Let's share our knowledge! What other things do you look for in your rain gear? Share below your tips or links to websites you've found helpful when purchasing new (or new to you) items. #outdoorgear #raingear #outdoorrec #wednesdaywisdom See more

ORPT Alumna Emmalee Agnew is living her dream life in Whitehorse, Yukon. After graduating from ORPT with a Bachelor of Education in 2013, Emmalee teaches Grade 3 at Golden Horn Elementary School, which embraces outdoor education through the Great Outdoors Experiential School ‘GOES’ program from K-7. Before Golden Horn’s Grade 7 students graduate, they embark on a fall hike on the Chilkoot trail as many gold miners once did, and complete a spring canoe trip on the Yukon River ...to Dawson City. Emmalee is one member of a team of colleagues who make these trips possible. Highlights include spending time with students on the land in the beautiful Yukon wilderness. Emmalee spends her summers exploring the amazing northern landscape under the midnight sun. She truly is living the Rec’er dream! #dreamjob #ORPTalumni #OutdoorEducation photo credit: Terry Milne See more

The 10 essential systems is something all #ORPT students are taught within the first few classes of Outdoor Skills and Theory. For incoming students, and a reminder to students heading out on 4370 experiences, here's the list: Navigation (orienteering compass, map, GPS) Sun protection (sun glasses, sun screen, hat) Environmental protection (rain gear (top & bottom), insulation, emergency shelter) ... Illumination (headlamp, spare batteries or backup) First-aid (e.g., bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, basic medication, triangular bandage, gloves) Fire (e.g., lighters, matches, fire starter) Nutrition/Hydration (extra food, water bottle, purification methods) Repair (e.g., pocket knife or multi-tool, cord) Communication (e.g., Fox 40 whistle and perhaps cell, SAT phone, VHF, SPOT, etc). Note-taking system * a mask and hand sanitizer are recommended additions during the COVID-19 pandemic #outdoorrec #outdoorgear #backcountrysafety #lakeheadu #mylakehead #wednesdaywisdom

A close call for an alumnus. Outdoor skills and knowledge kept this family safe! https://www.cbc.ca///thunder-bay/lightning-strke-1.5662439

How can you travel the world with zero carbon emissions? Inspired by Jacqui Kenny @streetview.portraits, students in OUTD 4735: Ethics and Justice in Travel captured these amazing images of places around the world using Google Streetview. As one of their on-line discussions, they reflected on this form of traveling as an alternative to the "real deal". What are your thoughts? Give it a try and share the images you find in your virtual travels! #ORPT #DistanceEducation #GoogleStreetView

Another alumnus of the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism is making a real impact on the lives of his students and community! Jonathan Fletcher has been recognized by Esri Canada as this month's GIS Ambassador! Mr. Fletcher has been engaging his geography students in community-based experiential education opportunities that have connected them to natural areas in their community and to the technology that helps managers ensure the areas stay in great condition. Way to go Jonathan! #ORPT #alumniinaction #GIS