COLTS
We generally accept 4-6 students each year - as many that show they are responsible and ready to be in a leadership role. And each year there are 3-5 instructors and instructors-in-training who provide a 1:1 (or close to) ratio of instructors to students. For the best information on COLTS, visit the details page.
COLTS II
We offer a sequel year for those who show an exceptional ability to teach, instruct, influence, and work with students to create Christ-centered servant leaders for the outdoors. They return as instructors-in-training, who guide in the training school. Each year we accept one or two alumni to be in COLTS II. Contact us for more information regarding this program. COLTS II includes the following components:
- Emergency Response Team: Participants are on the ER team and receive training for this role.
- Teaching Sessions: Participants are asked to teach COLTS sessions according to areas they have expertise in.
- Certificates: Participants often further their outdoor professional resume by taking more courses (80h WFR, Paddle Canada, etc.). These vary according to the participant.
- Senior Staff Team: Participants are invited to assist in general camp operations by fulfilling a role on the senior staff member.
- Instruct Skills: Often participants will train instructors in either archery, canoeing or rock climbing.
- Other Responsibilities: Participants often obtain their class 4 driver’s license, adopt specialty projects, mentor summer staff, and act as the Director of Outdoor Programs delegate.
COLTS Instructors
Each year we onboard an instructor or two who has graduated from COLTS II. They are volunteers who instruct in either the training portion, or all four months supporting our summer programs. COLTS Instructors have completed COLTS II and usually bring in plenty of leadership experience alongside their credentials and outdoor industry experience.
Meet this Years Instructors
Mariah Funk
Mariah did COLTS in 2018 and has been returning to offer her expertise ever since. Each time she does, she competes for the best out-trip food Crow has ever served up in the backcountry. Beyond her culinary mastery, Mariah’s ability to relate with people is one of her strongest leadership traits, often having influence on people’s lives pushing them to become better. Mariah’s professional experience with Alberta Wildfire has benefited camp, but more importantly, her desire to lead people into God’s creation continues to have lasting impacts here at Crow.
Jonathan Verheul
Jonathan was a student in COLTS in 2019. He has returned to Crow almost every year since - leading out-trips and offering his exceptional knowledge and ability to lead in the backcountry. He spends his winters as a professional snowmobile guide near Revelstoke, BC, and he spends his summers working on his family farm, trying to squeeze as much camp time in where he can.
Yin Liu
Yin has been instructing in COLTS off and on (but mostly on) since the 1990’s. Her in-depth experience, gift in teaching, and servant attitude have impacted students in COLTS over the years. She has trained dozens of outdoor leaders in this time and spends her non-summer months working as a Professor in Medieval Literature.
Daniel Vanderpyl
Daniel has instructed in COLTS since 2013, bringing plenty of outside expertise. As an instructor with the Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) and the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics (LNT), along with his background in paramedicine, leadership studies, and Search and Rescue, Daniel brings personal experience in backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and caving. More, though, is his desire to see people learn to be leaders - in their personal life, workplace, guiding in the wilderness, and most importantly, their life ministry. Daniel is employed at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp as the Director of Outdoor Programs.
Aileen Davidson
Aileen is a veteran camp staff. Her experience has been with multiple camps over the years, but most recently she has guided backpacking and horsepacking trips with Pioneer Ranch Camps and Blue Bronna Wilderness Camp. She did COLTS in 2019, has led many out-trips with CLBC since then, and will be doing COLTS II to build on that experience. She is an avid climber, boulderer, and hiker whenever she is not teaching at the local schools as her profession.
Seasonal Instructors
COLTS instructors and COLTS II’s will periodically be updated here. Check later or contact us to find out more.