Canoe Tripping Camp

Explore the wilderness!

Explore the wilderness and increase your appreciation of nature, develop self-reliance and cultivate lasting friendships based on shared powerful experiences.

Olympia will serve as 'base camp' for campers to develop their canoeing skills and learn the fundamentals of no-trace camping. Emphasis during the first three days in camp is spent becoming comfortable in a canoe, learning basic strokes and rescue techniques. Campers also experience team building activities to help prepare them for the three day, two night out trip. Day one of the out trip is spent paddling to the camping site. Campers work together to select and set up tent sites, set up the cooking area and then have the opportunity to explore the area around the campsite.

On day two, campers break camp and paddle and portage their way to a second campsite where they have a fun night of campfires, stories and star gazing. The third morning is spent packing up the equipment and then paddling to the pick-up point. Once back in camp, campers help unpacking and cleaning up of equipment.

The final day is spent debriefing the trip, the week and providing feedback about skill development, teamwork and initiative developed over the week.

Over 30 hours of camping and tripping instruction and experience have been formatted so that campers will have opportunities to learn to enjoy our natural environment while working together to reach common outcomes.

Campers can expect to develop and experience:

  • Basic flat-water canoe instruction
  • Fire-building skills
  • Trip packing skills
  • Environmental 'no-trace' camping
  • Portaging techniques
  • Campfire stories

Our canoe trip leaders are chosen for their skills, their attention to safety and their supportive nature in working with campers. They are committed to wilderness-based experiential learning.

Swim Requirements

  • Swim 100 meters
  • Tread water for 3 minutes non-stop
  • Be comfortable in deep water

Photo Gallery

Weeks Available

Session 6
Aug 5 - Aug 11
Co-Ed
12-15
Nicole Christamtsis
Director
  • Co-Director of Olympia's Outdoor and Challenge Education Centre
  • Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation and Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Lakehead University
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • ORCKA Flatwater Canoeing Instructor
  • Canoe Trip Guide for six years with the Boy Scouts of America and Algonquin Outfitters
  • CUI Challenge Course Manager (level 3)