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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.

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Worms Love Leftovers gives children a peek into the amazing world of worms and how they help recycle organic waste, turning it into healthy living soil. This is an inquiry-based opportunity that fully engages participants in hands-on learning and incorporates several cross-curricular competencies.

Available for schools in Calgary. Subsidies are available so cost is not a barrier to participation.

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Indigenous people have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. This program explores the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River. Students get hands-on experience with fishing technology, learn about wind-drying salmon, and discover that salmon is in the hearts of Indigenous people living along the Fraser River today.

Grade: 4-7                           Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Watch and discuss a film, featuring two Indigenous Elders telling stories about how Salmon came to the Fraser River, and their connections to the Fraser River.

Explore authentic and replica tools to learn about Indigenous fishing techniques, and create a group presentation.

Learn about wind-drying salmon through the replica drying rack, and practice sharpening a kwetsetel (Indigenous slate knife).

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Ocean Design Lab is an innovative program that will inspire curiosity and passion for future ocean heroes. This program will educate students about the environmental damage caused by overfishing.

This two-hour workshop begins with an informative lesson highlighting the environmental consequences of bottom trawling. Students will then collaborate in teams to redesign fishing nets to minimize environmental impact. The teams will build and test their prototypes in a friendly competition.

Students will use provided materials and a pretend budget to build their nets while learning important skills like problem-solving and teamwork. Ocean Design Lab helps students understand how different fields work together to address environmental challenges for a sustainable future. 

Available for Grades 3-12, this program connects with Core and Curricular Competencies. Ocean Design Lab can be taught in schools across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland and can be delivered in schools, community/ youth groups, and other educational settings.

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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!

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Sturgeon are amazing fish that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Human influences over the past 150 years have threatened their existence. In this program, students will learn about the sturgeon life cycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.

Grades: K-7                          Length: 1.5 hours               Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Introduction to sturgeon, threats to their survival, and conservation efforts.

Explore sturgeon anatomy and life cycle, using models and biological specimens.

Play a board game as a sturgeon attempting to reach adulthood.

Age-dependent activity

Felt Board Habitat (K-3): Using a felt board, represent the many stages of a sturgeon’s life. Tagging Lesson (4-7): Perform biological tests on a model sturgeon, such as taking measurements and determining age.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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With 100% of proceeds going back into outdoor learning non-profit initiatives, The Outdoor Learning School & Store is a charitable social enterprise grown in the homelands of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa, and flourishing across Turtle Island (North America).

Our awesome team works hard to provide a refined list of excellent resources, equipment, tools & training. We offer this in partnership with over 70 non-profit organizations from across North America.

Outdoor learning is being increasingly adopted to enhance student learning, and to support the physical, emotional and mental health of teachers and students. We’re pleased to help support this, along with other key social and environmental issues such as the climate crisis, the rapid loss of biodiversity, nature-deficit disorder, and the obesity epidemic.

Read about our Ethical Policies and Practices.

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Current lesson plans include Earth systems, Living systems, Time and place, Wetland ecosystems, Air and aerodynamics, Interactions in ecosystems, Fresh and saltwater ecosystems, Biological diversity, and Environmental stewardship.

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Location
Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin St) and Renfrew Ravine (3998 Renfrew St)

Program Detail & Focus

Program dates & focus areas are posted on our website seasonally. There are Spring, Summer, and Fall intakes. Most programs run for 10 sessions

Eligibility
Youth ages 14-18 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, or from other equity-denied communities.

Supports
You will receive up to $20/day honorarium based on attendance and youth must attend a minimum of 4 program days to receive an honorarium. Lunch and bus tickets are provided. We also have some outdoor clothing available to borrow, including rain jackets and boots.

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Grade 2 - Exploring Liquids

Grade 4 - Waste and Our World

Grade 5 - Wetland Ecosystems

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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.

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EcoCooks Elementary consists of two modules and EcoCooks Secondary consists of four modules. Classes can take any number of modules, in any order.

Each EcoCooks module has four sessions and each session is about 60-70 min long. These four sessions are typically taken over the space of 1 to 4 weeks. The first three sessions tackle the environmental component with fun hands-on activities designed for a classroom space, while the last session is a cooking class where students learn how to apply their new knowledge while preparing food. This cooking session can be done in a traditional classroom space or in a specialized foods room.

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This program will show students how to predict and prepare for extreme events using a stream table, a tool that can simulate river processes. Students will also have a chance to conduct their own research about how their communities may be at potential risk and to propose solutions. Students will be able to share those ideas with guest scientists through a follow-up online workshop.  

*NOTE: This program is currently only being held as an in-person field-trip.

Grades 3-5  

Students explore the basics of climate science and river processes. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. 

Grades 6-12  

Students discuss connections between climate change and land management practices, both traditional Indigenous and current industrial. Using a stream table model, students model different climate change scenarios and design infrastructure that could mitigate the damage caused by climate change. For the optional action project, students research how their communities may be susceptible to extreme weather events and climate change and present their findings using ArcGIS Story Maps. A follow-up online workshop connects students to knowledge holders. 

Grades: 3-12                Length: 1.5 hours                      Maximum group size: 30 students 

Program Components: 

Basic river landscape geomorphology as well as traditional and industrial methods of flood risk management 

How climate change will impact infrastructure planning across the Fraser River Basin 

Analytical and design thinking to create action plans towards mitigating future natural disaster incidents that will be available to local community leadership 

Students will receive 3D printed models and Climate Action Science Spotlight briefs relevant to their research 

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The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience. Students learn about archaeology and the history of the Bodo Archaeological Sites and the Great Plains in a meaningful and memorable way. We offer in-person visits (1/2 day and overnight field trips) and in-classroom visits.

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Discover the hidden secrets and stories of the forest in this sensory journey through nature. Awaken your senses as you explore the temperate rainforest. Find tiny life forms with magnifiers, meet bugs, feed trees, and transform into a bat while learning how all of these forest elements are connected. One-and-a-half-hour program for students in Pre K- Grade 3.

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Dr. Megan Zeni offers online workshops, in person teacher professional development, keynote addresses, research collaboration, and specialized consultation services. Schools, school districts, non-profit organizations, university faculty, teacher education programs, funding agencies, and education specific think tanks interested in building capacity for effective and sustainable environmental learning in rural or urban elementary school gardens and outdoor classrooms are invited to submit a request for services. Specific areas of expertise include: Curriculum & pedagogy l Outdoor play and learning across the curriculum l Risky play in schools l School garden planning, start up, and long-term maintenance.

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Project WET Canada offers professional development certification workshops for educators, available both in-person and virtually. Our water education program features complete, engaging, inquiry-based lesson plans and activities. Guides include Foundations in Water Education, Water in Earth Systems, Projet WET Module 1 (French), Climate, Water and Resilience (Grades 6–12), and Getting Little Feet Wet (ECE). Workshops are led by fully trained Project WET Facilitators. Length and fees vary by guide(s), format, and location. Contact Maxine Koskie or Billie Jo Reid for more information.