Overview
Our certificate program is recognized by no one and nowhere. It may be only for fun – but it isn’t easy! You must truly have been there and back to be called a campologist.
There are two Certified Campologist programs in our faculty:
Level 1 ● Campers with fewer miles on their hiking boots.
Level 2 ● Serious and experienced campers.
Requirements
You must complete at least 9 of the 11 requirements of either level to qualify. See the requirements below.
Level 1
Paddle completely around a lake… big or small.
Hike to the top of a mountain… big or small.
Sleep overnight in the great outdoors during the winter and survive. Winter camping is defined here as arctic conditions where the weather dips below freezing. You will need great gear and a better attitude.
You have returned from a backwoods adventure and picked up and returned with at least 400 grams of garbage that was left behind by some less environmentally responsible camper. This is one small bit to help clean up the planet.
Wilderness camp for at least 2 consecutive nights. Wilderness camping is defined as a self-propelled adventure into the backwoods where you have carried all your gear and supplies (motorized vehicles and vessels don’t count)
Camped at least 2 different ways. Camping types include the following: Canoe, Kayak, Bike, Ski, Backpack, Car.
On a camping adventure, you have not bathed for at least 3 full days and nights. Bathing is a relatively new tradition for humans, and a camper can survive quite nicely without bathing… embrace the stink!
Camp in another state or province from which you live. Enjoy the world and test the forests, rivers, lakes and parks of another state or province.
Camp with your family and if you can’t… camp with another family. A family that camps together enjoys life together… however, it isn’t always easy!
Bike 30 kilometres (20 miles) in one day. Hop on your 2-wheeler and cycle to your favourite bakery in the adjacent town.
Pee in a forest, tundra, desert or jungle. When you are camping, you don’t need, nor can you find a porcelain toilet bowl… so you will need to pee the natural way!
Level 2
Paddle a class 3 river rapid. The international scale of river difficulty defines class 3 as rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Not easy stuff!
Hike to the top of a mountain that is above the tree line. A tree line is defined as the edge of the habitat at which trees are capable of growing.
Sleep overnight for 2 consecutive nights in the great outdoors during the winter and survive. Winter camping is defined here as arctic conditions where the weather dips below freezing. You will need great gear and a better attitude.
Camp in a far northern eco-system. We define the far north as north of 60º latitude (we also consider south of the 60º latitude in the southern hemisphere)
Wilderness camp for at least 6 consecutive nights. Wilderness camping is defined as a self-propelled adventure into the backwoods where you have carried all your gear and supplies (motorized vehicles and vessels don’t count)
Camped at least 3 different ways. Camping types include the following: Canoe, Kayak, Bike, Ski, Backpack, Car.
On a camping adventure, you have not bathed for at least 5 full days and nights. Bathing is a relatively new tradition for humans, and a camper can survive quite nicely without bathing… embrace the stink!
Camp in another country from which you live. Enjoy the world and test the forests, rivers, lakes and parks of another nation.
Camp with children. Kids love camping, they however need an adult to take them. Be a scout or guide leader, or a good parent … and introduce a child to the great outdoors.
Bike 100 kilometres (60 miles) in one day. Hop on your lightweight 2-wheeler cycle for the day and fulfill yourself.
Poo in the great outdoors. When you are backwoods camping, you won’t have access to a porcelain throne … so you will need to do your doo-doo in the backwords and respectfully bury all evidence. You may need a trowel and some toilet paper – or better yet use leaves, snow, or small rocks for the clean up!