Outdoor Camps
Paddle, Pedal, Climb, Hike
Calgary is surrounded with natural wonders to explore and enjoy all summer long. Dive into an adventure on our refreshing rivers or pedal the city’s extensive pathways. Get into nature with our hiking and photography camps. Kick up the adrenaline with some mountain biking or longboarding or relax with a little fishing and other fun games. The outdoors is waiting to be discovered this summer!
Tour de Calgary
Entering grades 2–8
It’s like the Tour de France for kids, but way more fun—and in Calgary! We’ll spend the day biking along Calgary’s extensive pathways, visiting parks and playing games. Choose the program based on the camper’s skill level.
Prerequisite: confident riding a 2-wheel bike regardless of grade level, bike with gears and hand brakes (in good working condition), helmet.
Keiki Longboarding
Entering Grades 6-8
Get outside and explore the city’s pathways on a longboard this summer! You’ll go on rides to great locations to progress your skills, play games, and learn about board maintenance. Instructors will put an emphasis on safety, etiquette, rules of the pathway, and equipment maintenance. Riders must provide their own longboard and skate-specific helmet. There are 3 levels of this camp, pick the one that fits best with your goals and experience.
101 – new riders (very limited to no riding time)
201 – riders who have taken 101 or are comfortable on a longboard and can push, break, and make turns
301 – competent riders who have taken 201 or are comfortable with pushing, breaking, and sharp turns and are eager to learn new skills.
Mountain Bike Camp
Entering grades 6–8
Get stoked and kick up some dust on awesome trails this summer! In this week-long camp, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of mountain biking including braking, balance, body positioning, gearing, cornering, and maneuvering on trails. The first 2 days are spent exploring local trails and building skills and the last 3 days will be spent on trails out in Kananaskis and Bragg Creek.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Prerequisites: Riders must be confident on their bikes on off-road and uneven surfaces, able to ride 10-25km per day, mountain bike (with front suspension and in good working condition), and helmet
Survivor Camp
Entering grades 4–5
Do you think it would be fun to learn how to survive in the wild this summer? Spend the week learning navigation skills, fire building, and shelter building while hiking and exploring trails in and around Kananaskis. 1 day will be spent on campus refining shelter skills at our Natural Adventure Park.
Please Note: This program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Wilderness Survivor
Entering grades 6–8
Take your survival skills to the next level in this week-long camp! The first 2 days will be spent out in Kananaskis hiking and learning survival skills such as navigation and fire building, 1 day will be spent on campus refining shelter skills at our Natural Adventure Park, and the last 2 days are spent on an overnight trip to test out your newly acquired skills and sleep in a shelter that you built yourself.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Prerequisites: Comfortable spending a night away from home.
Tots on Treks
Entering grades 1–2
You're never too young to appreciate the outdoors! In this week-long camp, campers will be introduced to hiking, critter-catching, and having fun in the outdoors. We'll go swimming, take the C-Train to the Zoo, make crafts, play loads of games, and take a school bus to a natural area in or around the city limits.
MegaVenture
Entering grades 2–8
Spend a week trying a variety of activities in this adventure-packed outdoor camp! Daily adventures may include biking, swimming, bouldering and/or wall climbing, playing games, visiting kid-friendly places, and rafting down the Bow River—all within the city limits!
Prerequisites: Confident riding a 2-wheel bike, Bike with gears and hand brakes (in good working condition), and Helmet
Climb On!
Defy gravity and reach new heights all week! You’ll spend half the day wall climbing and/or bouldering indoors and the other half outside playing games, swimming, biking, and visiting kid-friendly places in the city.
Prerequisite: you must be confident riding a 2-wheel bike, a bike with gears and hand brakes (in good working condition), and helmet.
Thrill of the Catch
Entering grades 2–8
Go out on a reel adventure and discover the thrill of fishing in this introductory week-long camp! Each day we’ll travel to a new lake or pond around the city or in Kananaskis to learn basic fishing techniques. Some fishing holes can only be found by hiking to them, so be ready for a fun fishing trek! Groups will also spend 1 day at the Bow Habitat Station learning about the lifecycle of a fish, their habitat, and protecting their ecosystems.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Kananaskis Explorers
Entering grades 4–8
Spend a week sampling some of the best outdoor activities in and out of the city limits! We’ll go mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Every day is different with a new location to explore!
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver
Prerequisites: Riders must be confident on their bikes on off-road and uneven surfaces, mountain bike (with front suspension and in good working condition), helmet, and able to swim 50m in a lifejacket
Packs and Pixels - Outdoor Photography
Entering grades 2–8
In a flash we’ll have you thinking about how to capture amazing photographs! For the first few days, we’ll explore and hike in and around Kananaskis and you’ll learn the ins and outs of your point and shoot camera. You’ll discover how to shoot a variety of different photo styles—action, macro, landscape, and portraits. The last 2 days will be spent in the city exploring local parks and learning the basics of editing.
Please Note: This program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Prerequisites: Camera, and USB stick (for the last day)
World of Watersports
Entering grades 4–8
Dive right into a variety of watersports in this week-long paddling camp based out of Bowness Park! We'll go canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding on flatwater in the area, as well as rafting down the Bow River in Calgary. There is no better way to spend summer days than having fun in the water, meeting new people, and learning new skills!
Prerequisite: Able to swim 50m while wearing a lifejacket
Outdoor Camps for Teens
Teen Canoe ABC
Spend 3 days learning all about canoeing! On the first day, participants will learn the basics at Bowness Lagoon. On day 2, you’ll progress your skills to the eddies with an introduction to moving water. Finally, on day 3, you’ll test out your newly acquired skills on a full day river run from Bowness to Inglewood. Our guides will cover water safety, paddling strokes, river reading, navigation, and what is needed for a day of paddling.
Please Note: Drop-Off/Pick-Up occurs at Bowness Park, except for the Friday afternoon where Pick-Up will be in Inglewood.
Prerequisites: Able to swim 50m in a lifejacket
Teen Canoeing Expeditions
Spend 3-5 days on a canoe trip this summer! Learn about paddle strokes, water safety, and how to pack for a multi-day trip from experienced canoe guides. Trips will be lake-based or river-based in Alberta.
Please Note: camping may not be at designated campsites. This program involves travel in a 15- passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Prerequisites: Able to swim 50m in a lifejacket
Teen Mountain Bike Camp
Calgary & Kananaskis have some of the best mountain biking terrain in the world! The group will spend 1 day in the city learning the basics and the next 2 days out in Kananaskis refining skills. You’ll learn about and practice body positioning, gearing, cornering, and maneuvering on trails. Trail selection, bike maintenance, and outdoor skills are also introduced.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Prerequisites: Very comfortable riding a bike on off-road surfaces, mountain bike (with front suspension and in good condition), and helmet.
Get into Fly Fishing
Southern Alberta is world renowned for fly-fishing! This course introduces you to the basics of the sport, including casting techniques, proper fly selection, knot-tying, reading water, and fish habitat. This day camp will take you to different locations in and out of the city limits every day.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Teen Backpacking Expeditions
Head out to the mountains in Kananaskis with our backpacking guides for a multi-day trip of exploring and backcountry camping! Our guides will teach you route-finding, navigation, backcountry cooking, campsite management, and animal safety! Options include 3-Day, 4-Day, or 5-Day trips.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.
Teen Climb On!
Spend 3 days rock climbing at popular beginner routes in and around Kananaskis with ACMG guides. You’ll have fun as you learn basic climbing skills such as belaying, climbing calls, and movement. You’ll progress to developing foot placement, hand positions, and route finding.
Please Note: this program involves travel in a 15-passenger van, driven by a trained and qualified driver.