Find EducationalResources Now

Full Description

Fireside Adventures – Who We Are & What We Do

Fireside Adventures was founded in 1991 by Jeff “Willy” Willis. What began as a personal vision — to connect people via nature, learning, and leadership — has blossomed into a global community of passionate educators, youth, families, and partners. Today, Fireside delivers immersive outdoor and educational experiences grounded in adventure, social awareness, and personal growth.  

Our mission, captured in three guiding words — Challenge. Strive. Learn. — shapes every program. We believe life’s challenges can spark growth, striving fosters transformation, and learning — both inner and outer — builds resilience, empathy, confidence, and connection. Fireside Adventures

We run adventures across British Columbia and the Yukon — and beyond our borders to destinations such as Japan, Fiji, Ecuador, Colombia, Scotland, and more.

Core Program Streams

Kids & Youth Camps

From day-camps on the coast to overnight wilderness camps, Fireside offers a welcoming, adventurous summer for children and teens. Programs include gourmet outdoor cooking, parkour and filmmaking camps, wilderness introduction, leadership training, environmental education, and more. Whether ages 5 or 17, young participants are encouraged to explore, grow, and discover confidence in nature. 

World Bound — Climate, Culture & Leadership

In response to the critical urgency of climate change, Fireside created the “World Bound” series — experiential climate-leadership and cultural immersion courses for youth, young adults, and educators. These expeditions blend outdoor adventure with deep learning, cultural exchange, climate-change education, and direct engagement with nature and communities. Locations span from Yukon and Canada to Fiji, South America, Japan, and beyond. 

These courses are designed to give participants both knowledge and empowerment: they learn to navigate wilderness, understand environmental and social issues, build leadership skills, and return home equipped to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Educator Courses & Adult/Educational Adventures

Recognizing the need for professional development rooted in real-world context, Fireside offers programs for educators and adults seeking meaningful, hands-on outdoor education and climate leadership training. These courses allow educators to grow personally and professionally, and to return to their communities with fresh insights, tools, and a deeper connection to environmental education. 

Family & Group Adventures

Fireside also welcomes families, friends, and community groups who want to explore together. From Yukon canoe trips to coastal getaways, these group adventures foster bonding, shared learning, and unforgettable experiences in nature. 

Why It Matters

Fireside Adventures is more than just travel or camps — it’s a commitment to fostering positive identity, leadership, social responsibility, and connection to nature and community. Through carefully designed outdoor education and experiential learning, Fireside helps participants of all ages grow into thoughtful, courageous, engaged individuals.

In a world facing environmental and social challenges, Fireside believes that education, adventure, and community can inspire real transformation — for individuals and for society.

Full Description

Whether participants are passionate about climate change, conservation, eco-justice, or advocacy, YCC provides the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to turn that passion into action. Students work alongside a community of eco-action youth and mentors to launch projects that matter, build leadership and teamwork skills, and gain hands-on experience tackling real-world environmental challenges.

YCC is more than just a program, it’s a community of young changemakers ready to take action for a sustainable future in their schools, workplaces, and beyond. Are you ready to join the movement?

Full Description

With 55-acres of beautiful green space in the middle of Vancouver, VanDusen Botanical Garden represents a safe and interactive learning experience for school and community groups looking for local field trip opportunities!

Guided programs are available to students in grades K through 12. 45 minute programs are bookable year round and 90 minute programs are bookable October, November, April, May, and June. Take a look at the selections listed below to find the perfect option for your class! 

90-Minute Programs (available October, November, April, May, and June)

A Sense of Nature (K-Gr.2)        

Ecosystem Explorers (3-Gr.6)

Fantastic Flowers (Gr.1-Gr.4)

Pond Peering (Gr.1-Gr.4) May and June only

Seed Secrets (K-Gr.4) October and November only

45-Minute Programs (available year round)

Glimpse of the Garden (K-Gr.7)

Natural Heritage Walk (Gr.8-Gr.10)

Strategizing Sustainability (Gr.8-Gr.12)

Self-Directed Program 

Self-Directed programs are available year round. 

Pollinator Days (late May annually)

Please choose from 1 of 3 available dates. Pollinator Days runs from 10am-2pm. Classes from preschool to grade 6 are encouraged to attend one of the three event days.

Full Description

Our outdoor programs take place at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, at Shannon Terrace, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary AB.

K-6 programs are teacher-led. Alberta Parks staff will provide the group with an in-depth orientation, and support the group throughout the day. Teachers are required to attend a 1.5 hour on-site orientation before the date of their program. Available for 2 classes per day, based on availability.

Grade 7-12 programs are led by an Alberta Parks staff member, who will be with your group for the entire day. Available for one class per day (max 35 students).

Full Description

Join us as we journey down the river of stories from the headwaters to the mouth of the Fraser. Travelling along an interactive map, students will learn all about the Fraser River Basin through stories from the near and distant past. The program ends with a reflection on our place in this landscape, as students add their own story to the map.

Grades:  K-2             Length: 70 mins           Maximum group size: 30 students

To participate in this program, you will need:

A classroom with a projector we can connect our laptop or USB to

Curricular connections:

This program supports curricular competencies in English Language Arts as students engage actively as listeners, viewers and readers; create stories to deepen their awareness of self; and use oral storytelling processes. This program also supports competencies in Social Studies as students learn about cultural characteristics and ways of life of local First Peoples, and understand the significance of the Fraser River Basin to individuals and groups. This program incorporates the First Peoples Principles of Learning, specifically that learning is relational; recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge; is embedded in story; and requires exploration of one’s own identity. Further, this program supports students in the process of developing a positive personal and cultural identity.

Full Description

The Alberta Tomorrow Foundation has a mission to deliver a platform that empowers youth to design and sustain a future for our shared ecosystem, with a vision of an informed society actively fostering sustainable futures. Use the simulation tool to:

Time travel into the PAST and FUTURE to see the impact of our actions on the ENVIRONMENT and ECONOMY,

Study Alberta's WATERSHEDS, including a virtual video tour of the Bow River,

Show possible ECOREGION SHIFTS as a result of CLIMATE CHANGE,

See the impact of Beneficial MANAGEMENT Practices,

Explore Alberta's Natural Regions with our 360 VIRTUAL TOURS,

Use the CITIZEN SCIENCE TOOL to store and share water quality data,

Explore MAP OVERLAYS of Treaty Areas and Traditional Territories, Traditional Languages, Metis Regions and Residential School locations,

Land Use Plan using INDIGENOUS INDICATORS vs Western Science Indicators

Full Description

NatureKids BC is a nature discovery and environmental action organization that helps children form meaningful and enduring connections with nature alongside their families. Organized by our local nature club leaders, Explorer Days are packed with fun and learning for the whole family! We offer over 200 Explorer Days annually to our members through our province-wide network of nature clubs. At these events, your family will explore nearby nature, learn about BC ecosystems, and meet other families enthusiastic about the natural world. You might go pond dipping for aquatic insects, learn about plants in the forest, or explore local tide pools. The expertise and guidance of our Nature Mentors means that the range of activities is endless! Parental involvement is required on Explorer Days.

Full Description

This program serves schools that are driving distance to Elbow falls or to Canmore (fall program).

The Field School started in the Spring in 2005

We provide both spring and fall programs since 2008

We offer a virtual Field Study program since spring 2021 (virtual programs can be booked September-mid April)

Full Description

Cost
Subsidized rate of $99 for 90-minute field trips for Grade K-3 classes.

Subsidized rate of $120 for 120-minute field trips for Grade 4-12 classes.

The fees charged help EYA recover part of our costs for staff time and materials needed to host your classroom. If cost is a barrier, please let us know on the request form.

Length
90 minutes for Grade K- 3 field trips
120 minutes for Grade 4-12 field trips

Group Size
We can host up to 30 students per field trip.

Available Dates
Field trips are available from March - June and September - November. When completing the request form, please provide us with 2-3 date options to facilitate scheduling.

Location
Our field trips will take place at the Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin Ave).

Strathcona Community Gardens is a 1.4 hectare community-run greenspace in East Vancouver with a native plant teaching garden, greenhouse and native plant nursery, plant medicine gardens, rewilding areas, and solar-powered eco-classroom.

Eligibility
Elementary and high school classes from VSB public schools, with priority given to alternative schools and schools located in East Vancouver.

Full Description

Flexible outdoor education programming available for kindergarten through grade 12 taking place in Weaselhead Park in SW Calgary. All students will learn about the Weaselhead Special Protected Area in Calgary while making Alberta curricular connections in science and social studies. All classes are guided through the park by our trained Naturalists with activities ranging from identifying tracks and signs to invertebrate pond dips, plant identification, removing invasive plants and conducting water quality and human impact studies. Each grade level has targeted learning outcomes and suggested activities but there is flexibility to focus on topics of interest to specific classes in the park. Kindergarten through grade 2 classes are typically scheduled for a half day (2 1/2 hours) from 9:30am-12pm while grade 3-12 can be either a half day or a full day (5 hours). Programs run from September-November and April-June.

Full Description

UBC Farm field trips immerse children in a working certified organic farm through dynamic, themed experiences. Students engage their senses while planting, harvesting, and cooking with fresh produce (Food & Farming); learning about pollinators, food webs, and ecological connections (Nature & Ecosystems); or building forts and practicing wilderness skills (Exploration & Skills). These two-hour guided visits involve walking across varied farm features, with tailored programming by age group and flexible timing.

Full Description

The SPEC School Gardens Program is a well established environmental education program (started in 2008) and is aligned with BC Curriculum. We offer in person grade specific curricular resources, personalized workshops and seasonal lessons. Our goal is to connect every one to nature and we often collaborate with ECE, K-12 schools, for profit and not for profit organizations to provide programming. We help K-12 schools or not for profits establish new gardens or improve existing ones with climate friendly and organic gardening practices.

Full Description

Students use an open inquiry model to investigate processes taking place in aquatic, forest or winter ecosystems. They will be given an opportunity to explore a novel environment and develop and test a scientific question. They will explore local and current research and utilize scientific equipment to conduct an investigation from start to finish. Students will construct a question, conduct background research, revise their question, collect data, synthesize data and ultimately finish with a poster and/or paper outlining their research and conclusions. Our programs take place at the Barrier Lake Field Station, in Kananaskis Country, 80km west of Calgary, AB.

Full Description

The Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo's programs serve students in-person from Calgary and surrounding areas. Our programs are curriculum connected based on the current Learn Alberta Program of Studies for Kindergarten - Grade 12. We also offer custom programming by request. Virtual programs are available seasonally, December - February, and are great for students from anywhere across the country.

Full Description

Our program serves students in grades 4-12 across British Columbia through interactive workshops and a four-week climate challenge. Elementary students (grades 4-7) participate in an engaging 60-minute workshop and complete 25 take-home actions with their families. High school students (grades 8-12) attend two advanced workshops over 4-6 weeks, exploring climate justice, systems analysis, and actionable solutions. Both programs empower students to reduce emissions and foster community impact. Workshops are delivered virtually or in person, with prizes and comprehensive resources provided.

Full Description

Discover the many wonders of the only mammal that can fly. Find out how bats live, hunt, echolocate, and adapt to their habitat using their unique bodies. Because bats are nocturnal, we will not see any live bats during the program. Instead, we will explore their habitat with unique props and activities. Bats really are beautiful; learn why in this interactive forest adventure. One-and-a-half-hour program for Pre-K – Grade 3.

Full Description

Prior to European colonization, Indigenous peoples got what they needed from the land and water around them. Indigenous peoples have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. They used native plants for food, medicine, building materials and more. This program explores the connection between Indigenous peoples, salmon, and the broader Fraser River Basin. Students experience the movement of salmon, storytelling and oral histories, and the many uses of native plants through an Indigenous perspective.

Grades: K-3                          Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Introduction to the First Salmon Ceremony through a storybook and discussion.

Understand the stages of a salmon’s life cycle and migration by acting out the story of one salmon’s life.

Learn about some of the edible and medicinal native plants in our region, and then create your own plant, including its uses.

Hear the story of how sockeye came to the Fraser River from two First Nations elders. View map of the traditional lands of the First Nations people in the Fraser River Basin, and use a visual metaphor to understand how long the First Nations people have lived along the Fraser River.

Full Description

BC AdventureSmart delivers free outdoor-safety education across British Columbia—urban, rural, coastal, and mountain communities, year-round. Open to all ages (youth groups require a supervising adult). Format: 45–60-minute sessions or ~60-minute webinars with Q&A. Hosts: provide indoor space with screen/AV; we also deliver onsite or online. Programs include Hug-a-Tree & Survive, Survive Outside, Snow Safety, PaddleSmart, and Snowmobile Safety. Custom collaborations with SAR, schools, parks, and tourism partners available.

Full Description

Evergreen Theatre's mission is to create, facilitate and empower youth by fostering meaningful curriculum-based theatrical programming that explores and inspires; innovation, stewardship and sustainability through the intersection of education, art, science and community.

Full Description

THE RIVERWATCH MISSION: The RiverWatch Institute of Alberta delivers science education and environmental awareness experiences along Alberta’s rivers and watershed systems. Through our professional river guides, school science float trips, stewardship activities, and water monitoring equipment, participants learn about the science and health of our waterways. By becoming watershed knowledgeable, Albertans of all walks of life will better understand, enjoy and care for our environment.

YOUR RIVERWATCH SCHOOL SCIENCE FLOAT EXPERIENCE

We believe the best way to study a river is by taking your science classes on a float trip aboard our professionally guided large rafts, fully equipped as floating laboratories! Our science education programs align DIRECTLY with the Alberta provincial curriculum and have been a go-to resource for Alberta secondary science classes since 1995. Our hands-on and experiential science float programming is offered in the fall from early September to the end of October and again in the spring (late April to mid-June) once the ice is off the river.

With a laser focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), students explore their local river ecosystem aboard rafts equipped as mobile water quality laboratories. A day of guided rafting takes the student classroom into the real natural world to experience an interesting mix of ecology, wildlife, history, geology, engineering, technology, industry, water quality monitoring and data collection. Our programs showcase science in ways students have never seen before, creating an experience they’ll never forget, INCLUDING A TOUR OF LOCAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS! Over the years, close to 200,000 students have adventured out with us to become young scientists for the day.

YOUR RIVERWATCH GUIDES

All RiverWatch guides are highly trained and possess a minimum Class 1 PROAOA certification to meet Transport Canada Commercial Rafting Standards. All our river guides complete an intense week of training involving rafting, emergency response, health and safety, bus driving, equipment maintenance, water quality monitoring, and local/natural history interpretation. To work for RiverWatch Guides must possess Standard First Aid certification and/or may also have Wilderness First Aid, National Lifeguard Society, Swift Water Rescue or Emergency Medical Responder training. The result is an experienced group of certified and professional river guides ready to provide a safe, engaging and fully immersive rafting experience. Your RiverWatch raft guide will help students gain new insights and appreciation for our rivers’ history, culture, bio-diversity and stewardship. Everyone will finish the day more connected to nature and the river!