Christine Fergin: 3rd year Bachelor of Tourism Management
TRU.
When I initially signed up for the ADVG 4130 course, I truly didn’t know much about it, aside from the fact that it had to do with mountain biking and trail building. Although I had never rode a mountain bike in my life nor built a trail of any sort, I figured it would be a fun way to spend three credits of my degree, so I signed up. Unbeknownst to me, it was going to be the best educational experience of my university career to date. Over the 12-‐day course, we learned about the art of building and laying out trails, the sport of mountain biking, and the unique culture of various First Nations groups. As a novice to all of the above, it was really incredible for me to see how much knowledge could be gained in such a short period of time. I developed skills and knowledge that I truly didn’t even know I could gain, and tested boundaries that I thought I would never cross. On top of all of that, I got to learn in an outdoor, hands-‐on environment with a fantastic group of classmates, faculty members, and industry professionals. Being able to meet the truly incredible people from the Xat’sull, Esk’et, and Simpcw First Nations communities that we did, and the ability to develop relationships with some awesome industry professionals such as Thomas Schoen from Ride the Cariboo and Alan Pine from Alpine Tracker truly enhanced the overall course experience. To all TRU students, from all faculties and areas of study, I would highly recommend this course for you if you’re looking for a fulfilling, engaging, and enlightening experience :) I am so excited to see where this course goes in future years and am so thankful that I was able to be a part of its first year!
TRU.
When I initially signed up for the ADVG 4130 course, I truly didn’t know much about it, aside from the fact that it had to do with mountain biking and trail building. Although I had never rode a mountain bike in my life nor built a trail of any sort, I figured it would be a fun way to spend three credits of my degree, so I signed up. Unbeknownst to me, it was going to be the best educational experience of my university career to date. Over the 12-‐day course, we learned about the art of building and laying out trails, the sport of mountain biking, and the unique culture of various First Nations groups. As a novice to all of the above, it was really incredible for me to see how much knowledge could be gained in such a short period of time. I developed skills and knowledge that I truly didn’t even know I could gain, and tested boundaries that I thought I would never cross. On top of all of that, I got to learn in an outdoor, hands-‐on environment with a fantastic group of classmates, faculty members, and industry professionals. Being able to meet the truly incredible people from the Xat’sull, Esk’et, and Simpcw First Nations communities that we did, and the ability to develop relationships with some awesome industry professionals such as Thomas Schoen from Ride the Cariboo and Alan Pine from Alpine Tracker truly enhanced the overall course experience. To all TRU students, from all faculties and areas of study, I would highly recommend this course for you if you’re looking for a fulfilling, engaging, and enlightening experience :) I am so excited to see where this course goes in future years and am so thankful that I was able to be a part of its first year!
-Christine
Kunwar Shamsher-Singh: Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
This course was not just a field trip for me but a real learning experience which drastically improved my knowledge about building trails, mountain biking, first nations reconciliation and their history. It was a real world experience outside of classroom which would stay with me for the rest of my life instead of just cramming and memorizing for grades in regular classroom based courses. Since this course started after end of final exams, I had enough time to prepare for living in tent for ten days. Thomas who accompanied us throughout the entire field trip was a friendly and highly experienced trail builder who also had close relations with the first nations communities which we visited. SIMPCW community was also very welcoming to TRU students and even offered us a lunch in their school for all of us. Our instructor Craig Campbell’s huge amount of planning and work was visible as everything went so smooth throughout the entire field trip although it was the first time it was being offered. His super friendly and fun attitude towards all students made us feel like a family rather than a bunch of camping students. I hope this course continues to offer the same top-notch experience to tourism students next year.
-Kunwar
Diana Caputo: Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
I have been mountain biking since 2006. By growing up in Germany, and living in Switzerland for many years I enjoyed riding all over Europe. However, to follow my passion for biking and other outdoor adventures I moved to Whistler in summer 2014. As a passionate mountain biker coming from downhill riding and enjoying more and more the great BC mountain bike trails, this course was an amazing experience from trail planning, scoping out the terrain until actually trail building. Now I have a different view on trails, how natural features and TTFs are defined and how well a trail is built. My appreciation for trail builders and all people involved in the planing and building process is very high. BC has such a great network of trails.
-Diana
Yalei Zhou: Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
-Coming soon-
Pankay Ayachit (PK): Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
I am so fortunate that I was part of the ADVG 4130 field school. As I am an international student it is a great opportunity for me to know more about the Canadian outdoor lifestyle. It was a lifetime experience for me to learn about mountain biking and trail building. At the beginning,I was a little nervous because I have never gone on outdoor adventures before but Craig provided us with the basic information from setting up a tent to how to put a campfire out. For me, this field trip did not only bring physical benefits but also mental wellness. Relationships with First Nations are also a very important point throughout this whole course. Afterwards, I added mountain biking as my hobby because it gives me a feeling of "riding a roller coaster and playing a video game". Canoeing, map reading, hiking and mountain biking are all amazing experiences for me. Thanks to Craig Campbell, Thomas Schoen and all my friends who encourage me every time I needed and provided me with such a wonderful experience.
-PK
Craig Campbell, Adventure Studies Faculty
I am a big fan of trails and the benefits they provide communities-places to get out and commune with wild and green spaces, blow off steam and exercise, and socialize in a quality ways with my community. So when the opportunity arose to craft a field school to encompass those values-and learn about my local communities- I went straight to it. Partnering with Recreation Sites and trails BC, Local communities, and First nations as well as industry partners made this course a varied and extensive learning opportunity for all involved.
-Craig
Yalei Zhou: Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
-Coming soon-
Pankay Ayachit (PK): Post Baccalaureate in Adventure Studies, TRU
I am so fortunate that I was part of the ADVG 4130 field school. As I am an international student it is a great opportunity for me to know more about the Canadian outdoor lifestyle. It was a lifetime experience for me to learn about mountain biking and trail building. At the beginning,I was a little nervous because I have never gone on outdoor adventures before but Craig provided us with the basic information from setting up a tent to how to put a campfire out. For me, this field trip did not only bring physical benefits but also mental wellness. Relationships with First Nations are also a very important point throughout this whole course. Afterwards, I added mountain biking as my hobby because it gives me a feeling of "riding a roller coaster and playing a video game". Canoeing, map reading, hiking and mountain biking are all amazing experiences for me. Thanks to Craig Campbell, Thomas Schoen and all my friends who encourage me every time I needed and provided me with such a wonderful experience.
-PK
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| Spirit Rock given by Ralph of the Xatsull to remember this part of the journey. |
Craig Campbell, Adventure Studies Faculty
I am a big fan of trails and the benefits they provide communities-places to get out and commune with wild and green spaces, blow off steam and exercise, and socialize in a quality ways with my community. So when the opportunity arose to craft a field school to encompass those values-and learn about my local communities- I went straight to it. Partnering with Recreation Sites and trails BC, Local communities, and First nations as well as industry partners made this course a varied and extensive learning opportunity for all involved.
-Craig
