Outdoor camps and courses in BC, Yukon, Italy, and South America
A pioneer in outdoor experiential adventure
We lead adventures across four continents, offering activities like canoeing, canyoning, dogsledding, skiing, and so much more. All our expeditions emphasize experiential education, social-emotional development, and outdoor leadership skills to give our adventurers the tools they need to thrive. This cutting-edge programming has attracted a passionate, tight-knit team of educators, families, and youth with limitless potential.
Fireside Adventures was created by Jeff ‘Willy’ Willis, who since 1991 has been developing and leading camps, expeditions, and outdoor programs around the world. Fireside combines Jeff’s love of outdoor education with his years of experience in youth/family work and social justice to create unique outdoor adventures that foster wonder, positive personal identity, and leadership skills. Our team of educators, families, and youth work together to support our guiding mission, motto, and philosophy: Challenge. Strive. Learn.
Explore our top programs ↓
Upcoming Featured programs:
March 22–28, 2024
We designed Yukon Explorer to be a “grand welcome” into the North - accessible to youth from all around the globe. Here, you’ll build your outdoor, life and social skills while exploring frozen rivers by dogsled, skiing on legendary Mount Sima, glimpsing the Aurora Borealis and warming up by the fire with your new friends.
March 18 - 22, 2024
Springtime… the perfect time for young adventurers to explore, play, bike, and discover some of Vancouver’s best and funnest urban and outdoor spaces. Our instructors lead weekly small-group and day camp-style experiences where campers explore by transit, foot, bike, swim, and adventure van. Each day is a completely different location, experience, and activity relating to the weekly theme and weather!
World Bound: 21-day climate leadership expeditions for youth on three continents
June and July, 2024 (21 days)
Explore the beaches and mountains of BC and undertake an incredible 700km canoe trip down the Yukon River. Wilderness immersion, consultation with Indigenous knowledge keepers, and our innovative World Bound Climate Change Curriculum combine to deepen your relationship with yourself, your family, and the world.
August, 2024 (21 days)
A breathtaking adventure in the Alps and the Dolomites - a stunning yet peaceful region with pristine lakes and quaint little farms scattered among towering mountain peaks. Challenge yourself and your group to produce less than 50% of the average traveller’s carbon footprint while camping, sleeping in huts, and working with shepherds.
June, July, and August 2024 (21 days)
This Japan adventure is a one-of-a-kind youth leadership course that infuses cutting-edge climate change education with Japanese cuisine and culture, world-renowned historical landmarks, technological innovation, and – most importantly – the people of Japan.
World Bound Educators: 10-day professional development adventures for educators
July 19 – 28, 2024 | Whitehorse, Fort Selkirk, Dawson City
Paddle the 406 kilometres along the majestic Yukon River (406km) from Carmacks to Dawson City. On this professional development adventure, we will be travelling back in time as we learn about Yukon’s geography, history (pre-colonialism to now), modern resource management, and the plans Yukoners are implementing to weather the severe impacts of climate change.
August 3–13, 2024 | Venezia-Mestre, Northern Lagoon of Venice, Treviso, Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi, and more.
On this ten day course, educators will explore the Veneto region during a journey that takes them from the waters of the Venice Lagoon to the peaks of the Dolomites. Alongside educators from around the world, you’ll venture into wild and unique natural landscapes and explore historical cities renowned for their art, architecture, and culinary traditions. Learn from Italian farmers, eco-entrepreneurs, and climate activists about how they’re adapting to climate change.
July 5 – 15, 2024 | Quito (Ecuadorian capital), Otavalo (largest Indigenous settlement in Ecuador), Cuicocha (lagoon), Cochasqui (archaeological site), Cayambe (volcano)
On this course, educators will encounter the dazzling history and culture of Quito, raft into the Amazon to see the damage of illegal gold-mining and reforestation efforts, meet the incomparable women of Sinchi Warmi, and participate in a Quechua homestay to learn their perspectives on climate change and how their traditions allow them to live light on the land.
Explorer: shorter expeditions for budding adventurers
July & August, 2024 (10 days)
Your opportunity to become more self-directed, build healthy peer relationships, gain outdoor leadership skills, and gain new perspectives on current events in your community and world…all within the incredible scenery of Canada’s wild North during an unforgettable two-week canoe journey on the Yukon River.
June and July, 2024 (7 days)
Explore the wilds of beautiful British Columbia and discover who you are and what you can do. We offer three 7-day overnight camps in different locations: Sunshine Coast Explorer (Sechelt Inlet), Vancouver Island Explorer (Cape Scott), and Coast Mountains Explorer (Golden Ear and Manning Park).
3-5 days periods between September, 2023 and June, 2024
Check out our weekly, flexible day camp experiences that allow easy access to a range of incredible environments across British Columbia—from the rugged beaches of Tofino to the alpine majesty of Whistler, as well as serene locations like Manning Park, Victoria, Howe Sound, and Sechelt Inlet. Let us know ahead of time and work toward your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award!
Camp Fireside: Camp-style day and overnight programs
March 18 - 22, March 25 - 29
Springtime… the perfect time for young adventurers to explore, play, bike, and discover some of Vancouver’s best and funnest urban and outdoor spaces. Our instructors lead weekly small-group and day camp-style experiences where campers explore by transit, foot, bike, swim, and adventure van. Each day is a completely different location, experience, and activity relating to the weekly theme and weather!
July and August, 2024 (5 days)
An awesome, fun, dynamic and positive day camp specializing in outdoor adventures, kids leadership training and nature exploration for children aged 6-11.
July, 2024 (5 days)
Our signature summer day camp, where we challenge our students to learn parkour and filmmaking while using the skills they learned to create their own parkour film from scratch collaboratively.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Complete your Adventurous Journey with Fireside Adventures
We are proud to be a certified Duke of Edinburgh’s award provider. Our expeditions are eligible for your Adventurous Journey, Gold Projects, and other Duke of Ed Award requirements.
Why choose us?
The best team in the business.
Click here to meet our amazing team
A colourful cast of characters, each with unique magic, expertise and adventures to offer. And most importantly... small enough for a Fireside Kid to meet each one. Our seasoned campers feel like they are part of a big family, full of role models they look up to and share precious memories with.
Some of us are the industry’s leading outdoor experiential educators. Others have been ‘Fireside kids’ their whole life and are now proudly leading the way for the next generation. Yes, your learner could be one of us one day.
Climate change activism and education
Learn about our World Bound Climate Leadership curriculum
When we realized that our industry had not shifted to become part of the solution to climate change, we created World Bound.
Every single one of our youth programs now includes discussion and action to reduce carbon use, food waste, non-recyclable materials and more, while focusing on the skills that our youth need to adapt and thrive in a future defined by climate change.
Real Community Partnerships
Whether it’s Venice or the Amazon, we aren’t tourists, we’re guests who build enduring friendships with local people and partnerships with local / Indigenous operators. Contact us to learn more.
