ADVENTURE SPORT CERTIFICATE - SOUTH AMERICA
(Bolivia, Chile)

Starting in March 2011 the TRU Adventure Studies Department will offer the Adventure Sport Certificate based in the country of Chile, South America. The curriculum is exactly the same as the same certificate that is offered on the TRU campus each September but the South American version will include trips throughout Chile and Bolivia. Details are below.

Dates

March 1 to August 25, 2011. This is a compressed six-month version of the Adventure Sport Certificate and is scheduled so that students may enter the second year of the adventure diplomas or degree programs on the TRU campus in September 2011.

Location

The program is based in the coastal community of Pichilemu, a four-hour drive south of Santiago, Chile. Pichilemu (population approximately 13,000) is home to the main beach in the O’Higgins Region of Chile, a surf and windsurf destination. Several surf championships take place in the city each year. Trips will take place throughout Patagonia, the Andes mountain ranges, Chiloe islands, northern Chile, and the high Andes ranges of Bolivia.

· Backpacking in Tazas National Park, Chile http://www.gochile.cl/eng/Guide/ChileNationalParks/RadalSieteTazas/Radal-Siete-Tazas-M.asp

· Sea kayaking in the Chiloe Archipelago and the Andean fjords

· Whitewater kayaking near Puerto Montt, entrance to Chilean Patagonia, Lake Region of Chile

· Rock climbing at El Manzano valley near Santiago
http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/South_and_Central_America/Chile/Metropolitan_Region/

· Exploration in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atacama_Desert

· Exploration near San Pedro de Atacama in Chile http://www.sanpedroatacama.com/ingles/pueblo.htm

· Exploration of the salt flats of Bolivia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salar_de_Uyuni

· Ski instruction at Termas de Chillan (ski resort with hot springs) in the Central South Andes Ranges http://www.chileanski.com/eng/termas-de-chillan/

· Mountaineering in the Condoriri Range, Cordillera Real in Bolivia northeast of La Paz http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/492932/Cordillera-Real

· Expedition following Aymaras and Atacameños culture ancient trails in the Atacama High Plateau

Language

The program is offered in English.

Application Process

Apply to the TRU Adventure Studies Department as for any other adventure program. Clearly indicate your interest in attending the South American Adventure Sport Certificate. Apply early because registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is open to Canadian and International students. Take your first year of studies in South America (in 6 months) and return to TRU (Kamloops) for your second year!

Like all other adventure programs at TRU, applicants need to attend a program information session (by telephone or in person) and complete a medical examination and legal release form.

Course Content

For a complete list of course content in the Adventure Sport Certificate please go here. Note that while all other content is similar to the Canadian program, the South American program does not include ADVG 255 – Telemark Ski Instructor Level I, ADVG 266 – Rafting 1, or ADVG 160 – Swift Water Rescue Technician. These courses, however, may be taken during year two on the TRU Kamloops campus for students who continue into a diploma program. The South American program does include ADVG 190 – Expedition I, a requirement to enter year two of the diploma programs.

Instruction

The curriculum and instruction in the TRU South America Adventure Sport Certificate are the same as that offered in Canada. Instructors have the same credentials, and there is extensive use of both Canadian and South American instructors. The coordinators of the South American program are Chilean residents Francisco Medina, UIAGM Mountain Guide, and Vivianne Cuq, the first South American woman to summit Mt. Everest.

Cost

Students will pay regular TRU tuition plus a flat fee of $14,500 (US) that includes all South American accommodation, transportation from Santiago, group equipment, instruction, certification, course materials, and all food in Pichilemu and on field trips.

Personal expenditures, personal equipment, and food and travel on rest days are not included. Students provide their own clothing, sleeping bag, footwear and air transportation from the student’s home to Santiago, Chile; all group and technical equipment is provided.