Live in Victoria BC or somewhere else on Vancouver Island? Looking to give your child a unqique, active, outdoor summer camp experience? Let your child or teen to Canoe the Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit near Campbell River BC, one of Vancouver Islands best kept secrets! During this 11 day Vancouver Island Canoeing Summer Camp youth learn everything there is to know about a canoe trip including how to work as part of a team, become a strong leader, and much more! This is a once in a lifetime experience in a pristine, warm, freshwater environment in a stunning forested mountain setting near Campbell River on central Vancouver Island. Transportation to the Canoe camp is available from Victoria and several other Vancouver Island communities.
| AGE | GENDER | PROGRAM LENGTH | TRIP LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-14 & 15-17 | Mixed | 11 days | 6 days |
| Price Before Jun 15 | REGULAR PRICE | ||
| $1750 + GST | $2250 + GST | ||
| PROGRAM DATES | AVAILABILITY | ||
| July 15 - 25, 2023 | Waitlisting | ||
| SHARE | |||
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, Email Us and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days.
While transportation is primarily offered from the Victoria BC area, if you live elswhere on the island or will be sending your child/youth via airplane or ferry, please Contact Us for options.
| LOCATION | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyacinth Park (Saanich) | 08:00 | 18:35 | Marigold Rd in Saanich |
| West Hills (Langford) | 08:40 | 18:00 | Public Lot next to Westhills Stadium on Langford Pkwy |
Click here for a detailed packing list. Please contact us if you wish to borrow, rent or purchase equipment.
As we operate our programs outside and often in wilderness environments, it is essential that all families pack all items on our packing list. Failing to do so may compromise your childs safety and experience.
Above all, our canoe summer camp is fun, extremly fun, more than you can imagine! Every lake on the 11 lake Sayward Canoe Route is unique. The Campbell River backcountry campsites have giant cedar plank picnic tables, there are numerous small, shallow rivers to paddle down, beaver dams to scramble over, and all within the forest with endless Strathcona Park mountain views in the distance. Kids and teens learn about nature, camping skills, leadership and more. The best part - they don’t even realize it!
Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit-Official BC Forest & Rec Parks Website: Click Here
Modern youth do not get very many opportunities to learn life skills including how to lead others, manage conflict and think for themselves. Western Education Adventure’s canoe program focuses specifically on these skills.
During the canoe trip, participants are split into pairs. Each day one pair is selected to be responsible for leading the entire group. In the evening, the pair debriefs their experience, talking about what they learned and how it can be applied in the future. In short, participants learn what it means to be an adult!
Youth learn most of the skills required to run a successful backcountry canoe trip. Everything from making a meal plan to planning a canoe route to cleaning up after it's all done. All of our campers come away with foundational canoeing and backcountry camping knowledge.
• Leadership • Decision Making • Conflict Management • Group Management • Route Panning • Navigation • Canoeing and Portaging • Canoe and Water Safety • Canoe Rescues • Camping Practices • Food packing • Cooking • Fire building • Knife and Stove Safety • Backcountry Equipment Maintenance
Western Educational Adventures takes safety seriously. Not only do we want our participants to have an exceptional time, but just as importantly, we want them to return home safe and sound. All of Western Educational Adventures staff are certified in high level first aid and have years of experience managing risk in the outdoors. You won’t find a more qualified staff team anywhere else!
"Landon took our family on a sea kayak paddle starting out of Victoria. This was our first time sea kayaking but we felt confident in Landon keeping our trip safe and enjoyable. In little time we were safely paddling and navigating the water. It was a great day!"
-Alex Damjanovic
We believe that a good experience starts with good nutrition. Proper diet and eating habits are lacking in today’s society - a result of readily available fast foods, processed foods and a lack of nutritional education. We strive to provide quality, simple, wholesome meals with limited processed ingredients – in addition to the occasional smores and limited other tasty treats. This is part of why we include our participants in all meal planning, purchasing and cooking.
We are also very experienced in dealing with dietary restrictions and serious food allergies. Great care is taken to avoid serious participant food allergens whenever possible. Where this is not possible, we take great care to avoid cross contamination of ingredients.
"Landon guided an overnight trip for our family on the Juan de Fuca trail. Healthy eating is important to us. Landon helped our kids build an outdoor oven and they were soon baking an amazing dinner. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that you can look after yourself in the outdoors."
-Carole Damnjanovic
If you want to sign up, the process is simple. Here’s what you do:
Fill in your email and create a password
Input your information. This is a one time step, your info will be there for the rest of the summer!
Input your child (or children's information), select the program(s) you wish to register for.
**All personal information provided will not be shared with third parties unless it is relevant to the participants well being or quality of experience**
The Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit, something to reflect upon for years!
Sunny days and warm water!
Only 5 more portages to go....
Back on the circuit after breakfast
Mohun Island...your very own private island!
A break in the shade...
Brewster Point Campsite, the world's largest picnic table
Heading for lunch!
Brewster Point Beach, that's right, a beautiful sand beach
... a quiet morning paddle
Heading home...it's all over but the cryin'
