PROGRAM
PROGRAM
2025-2026 Destinations
Eastern Canada / New Zealand / Northern Chile / Europe
Fall 2025: Eastern Canada / New Zealand
August 24, 2025 - December 13, 2025
Q1 Eastern Canada
Q2 New Zealand
Spring 2026: Northern Chile / Europe
January 18, 2026- May 9, 2026
Q3 Chile
Q4 Europe (Slovenia, Italy and Austria)
2026-2027 Destinations
Eastern Canada / Northern Chile / Colombia / Europe
Fall 2026: Eastern Canada / Northern Chile
August 23, 2026 - December 12, 2026
Q1 Eastern Canada
Q2 Northern Chile
Spring 2027: Chile / Europe
January 17, 2027 - May 8, 2027
Q3 Colombia
Q4 European Alps
2025 - 2026 Schedule
Fall Semester 2025: Eastern Canada / New Zealand
August 24, 2025 - December 13, 2025
August 24
Students and staff meet in Ottawa
August 25
Semester Orientation
August 25 - October 4
Quarter 1: Rivers of Ontario and Quebec
October 4
Students and staff depart for fall break
October 5 - October 25
Fall break
October 26
Students and staff arrive
October 27 - December 12
Quarter 2: New Zealand
December 13
Students and staff depart for winter break
Spring Semester 2026: Northern Chile / Europe
January 18
Students and staff depart
January 19 - March 6
Quarter 3
March 7
Students and staff depart for spring break
March 8 - March 28
Spring break
March 29
Students and staff arrive
March 30 - May 8
Quarter 4: Europe (Germany, Slovenia, Italy, and Austria)
May 9
Graduation in Oetz, Austria
2026 - 2027 Schedule
Fall Semester 2026: Eastern Canada / Northern Chile
August 23, 2026 - December 12, 2026
August 23
Students and staff meet in Ottawa
August 24
Student Orientation
August 25 - October 3
Quarter 1: Rivers of Ontario and Quebec
October 3
Students and staff depart for fall break
October 4 - October 24
Fall break
October 25
Students and staff arrive in Chile
October 26 - December 11
Quarter 2: New Zealand
December 12
Students and staff depart for winter break
Spring Semester 2027: Colombia / European Alps
January 17, 2027 - May 8, 2027
January 24
Students and staff arrive in Colombia
January 25 - March 12
Quarter 3: Colombia
March 13
Students and staff depart for spring break
March 14 - April 3
Spring break
April 4
Students and staff arrive Europe
April 5 - May 14
Quarter 4: European Alps
May 15
Graduation
Food and Lodging
Food
World Class eats a variety of foods dependent primarily on the current destination. While abroad, the program will eat food prepared for us either in restaurants or by hired chefs. We will eat cazuela in Chile, Lomo Saltado y Ceviche in Peru, Talapia in Uganda, Gallo Pinto in Costa Rica..... wherever in the World we are at, eating is an extension of the cultural experience. While in the United States and Canada, students and staff rotate between cooking responsibilities using our own cooking equipment. World Class Academy caters to any dietary needs and promotes healthy food choices. We always offer vegetarian options to meals and can cater to vegan diets as well. It is important while training that students eat well-rounded, healthy meal. Students and staff alternate between shopping trips, clean-up crew, and cook crew when preparing meals for the group. This is often one of the most important life lessons students take home: kitchen skills!
Lodging
While traveling both internationally and within the United States, the program looks for the most comfortable accommodations as close to quality whitewater as possible. During our time abroad, accommodations usually include cabins, lodges, hostels, and whitewater centers with sleeping facilities. On tour in the U.S. the program will typically pitch tents at campgrounds offering hot showers, cooking facilities and sheltered common areas. Lodging varies significantly depending on what destination we are at.
Our Faculty
The World Class team begins with a core of dedicated teachers; professionals in the art of teaching, kayaking, and outdoor leadership. In any given semester, there is typically over a decade of combined leadership experience within the faculty, providing a level of expertise, leadership, and education no other program can offer.
Kalob Grady
In Progress: B.S. in Aviation and Geography – University of Waterloo
Sam Steele
B.A. Environmental Engineering – Montana State University
M.S. Civil Engineering (Eco-hydraulics) – Montana State University
Domingo Sandoval
B.A. Physics – Universidad Católica
Heidi Walsh
B.S. – Sport and Exercise Science – Loughborough University
Diploma in International Studies – University of Colorado
Libby Clifton
B.A. in Physical Education and Health – Otago University 2017
Diploma in Outdoor Adventure Education – Hillary Outdoors 2020
Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning – Massey University 2022
Ayden Dermenjian
B.S.N Nursing – McMaster University