Fri–Sun Pro-D Day camping trips, Duke of Ed Certified
Designed for youth who thrive outside, this four-part adventure series builds confidence, resilience, and lifelong outdoor skills through four unique weekend expeditions across British Columbia. Each trip explores a different landscape and teaches a new set of skills, helping participants develop the independence, teamwork, and positive mindset that come from meaningful time in nature.
Even better, every trip has been intentionally designed to align with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, supporting Bronze and Silver Adventurous Journeys while also contributing to the Skills, Voluntary Service, and Physical Recreation sections of the Award.
Ages: 09–11 (junior), 12–16 (senior) - Groups may be combined based on safety, numbers, and/or maturity level.
2026 DATES
Aug 28–30: Plumper Cove + Mount Elphinstone
Sep 25–27: Sunshine Coast Bike Tour
Oct 23–25: Sechelt Inlet Paddle Warrior
Nov 27–29 – Tetrahedron Big Sky Experience
STANDARD PRICES*
Single trip: $675 + CAD
Sign up for all 4 and get Aug 28–30 FREE
*Non-refundable $300 + GST deposit (all trips)
Drop-off: at 8:30am at Waterfront Station, Bridgeport Station or Horseshoe Bay
Pick-up: at 2:00pm at at Waterfront Station, Bridgeport Station or Horseshoe Bay
Group size: 8-12 with 2 instructors
Location: Keats Island, Gibsons, Sechelt, Sechelt Inlet, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, Roberts Creek Provincial Park
Includes: Pre-course video check-in, 24-7 supervision by outdoor instructors, outdoor and leadership skills instruction, land and ferry transportation (ferry tickets included), tent accommodation, all meals (except for return ferry lunch), group outdoor gear, and more!
Contact us for more info: office@firesideadventures.ca
Aug 28–30 | Fri–Sun | FREE if you sign up for all 4 trips by Aug 01
PLUMPER COVE + MOUNT ELPHINSTONE: The Oceans to Mountains Experience
Experience two of the Sunshine Coast’s most spectacular environments in one unforgettable weekend. Beginning with a canoe journey to beautiful Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park on Keats Island, participants will paddle sheltered coastal waters before camping beneath towering cedar forests overlooking Howe Sound. The following day, we’ll trade paddles for hiking boots as we climb Mount Elphinstone, taking in panoramic views stretching from Vancouver Island to the Coast Mountains.
By combining both canoeing and hiking into a single expedition, participants gain a far broader outdoor skillset than a traditional paddle trip alone. They’ll learn canoe strokes, navigation, campsite management, hiking techniques, outdoor cooking, and Leave No Trace practices while experiencing two completely different ecosystems in one adventure.
This weekend also launches our season-long Youth Paddle Certification pathway. Rather than simply taking youth on a canoe trip, we’re helping them become capable paddlers through instruction leading toward Level 1 Canoeing Certification, providing a strong foundation for future expeditions across BC and beyond.
Sep 25–27 | Fri–Sun | Pro-D day for Coquitlam, Richmond & New West
BIKING, COOKING, FORAGING & PARKOUR TOUR: The Best of the Sunshine Coast Experience
Discover the Sunshine Coast in one of the most rewarding ways possible—by bicycle. This unique adventure connects Gibsons, Roberts Creek, and the surrounding coastline using safe bike-friendly routes, quiet roads, and scenic multi-use pathways that showcase why cycling is one of the best ways to truly experience a community.
Along the journey we’ll stop at local beaches, explore hidden forest trails, cool off with ice cream, visit the famous Roberts Creek market, and discover why this laid-back coastal village has become a favourite destination for outdoor adventurers. Participants will also learn to identify edible coastal plants, try simple foraging techniques, explore natural parkour challenges, and prepare delicious camp meals using fresh local ingredients whenever possible.
Travelling by bike encourages teamwork, independence, and environmental stewardship while allowing us to experience wildlife, forests, and communities at a slower, more connected pace than travelling by vehicle. It is an exciting introduction to sustainable adventure travel.
Oct 23–25 | Fri–Sun | Provincial pro-D day
THE SECHELT INLET STRIKES BACK: The Paddle Warrior Experience
The calm waters of Porpoise Bay and the spectacular Sechelt Inlet have become one of Fireside Adventures’ signature expedition locations, serving as the training ground for many of our Explorer and World Bound canoe journeys. Sheltered, scenic, and rich in natural beauty, it is one of British Columbia’s finest places for developing paddling skills.
This weekend continues the Youth Paddle Certification pathway introduced during our Plumper Cove expedition while remaining completely welcoming to participants joining for the first time. Whether you’re building on previous experience or picking up a paddle for the very first time, instructors will help every participant progress toward Level 1 Canoeing Certification through engaging instruction, practical skill development, and plenty of time on the water.
Beyond paddling, participants will learn expedition planning, navigation, teamwork, leadership, campcraft, and outdoor decision-making while exploring one of the most beautiful inlets on the West Coast. By the end of the weekend, they’ll leave not only with stronger paddling skills, but with the confidence to take on even bigger canoe expeditions.
Nov 27–29 | Fri–Sun | pro-d day for Victoria, Sunshine Coast, Richmond
TETRAHEDRON HIKE: The Big Sky Experience
There’s something magical about arriving at a warm backcountry cabin after a rewarding hike through snow-dusted forests. Tetrahedron Provincial Park offers one of British Columbia’s most accessible introductions to backcountry hiking, with comfortable cabins located only a relatively short distance from the trailhead while still offering countless opportunities for those eager to explore farther.
This adventure is designed to build confidence in backpacking and mountain travel. Participants will learn route finding, layering systems, backpack packing, navigation, campcraft, weather awareness, and mountain safety while enjoying breathtaking alpine landscapes that feel worlds away from city life.
For many young adventurers, Tetrahedron becomes the perfect stepping stone toward winter exploration. The skills learned here naturally transition into future snowshoeing trips, winter camping, and even backcountry skiing, making this the ideal foundation for year-round mountain adventure.
“There exists within everyone a grand passion, an outlandish thirst for adventure, a desire to live boldly and vividly through the journey of life.”
— Kurt Hahn, outdoor education pioneer
While summer fun is always a big part of what we do, BC Explorer is more than just a holiday. BC Explorer is designed to be an educational, transformational, and challenging experience that creates independent, self-motivated, and confident youths. Here are a few of the ways we do this:
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: earn your Bronze, Silver, or Gold with us. Here’s how.
Outdoor skills: Challenge yourself with wild camping, canoe manoeuvres, risk management, and wildlife safety. These experiences develop universal life skills like perseverance and problem-solving, not to mention a love for nature.
Social-emotional learning & resilience: Spending time in nature brings challenges but also opportunities for peace, reflection, and connection. This is the unbroken space and time you need to build relationships, trust, and personal transformation through a mix of one-on-one coaching, daily journaling, and group dialogues.
Increase self-knowledge: Over four/nine days, become introduced to some of our personal values, strengthen your decision-making skills, and learn how to set and achieve short-term goals.
Introductory leadership training: Guided by our pillars (Independence, Community, Knowledge, Experience, and Vision), define what leadership means to you and hold yourself accountable.
You won’t want to miss these experiences:
Reconnect with yourself and nature during a digital detox with no technology or external distractions. During the expedition, our focus is on the people we are sharing the journey with. As long as you’re with Fireside, it’s just the group, the smell of the cedars, and the distant crashing of waves against the shore.
Bond with experienced and inspiring instructors who will be there for you 24-7. They teach you knot-tying, paddle strokes, and so much more!
Spend time with other youth who are as excited about spending time in the outdoors as you are!
Meet face-to-face with a playful otter, or marvel at bioluminescence on midnight shorelines.
Work as a team to plan the coming adventure with your fellow adventurers to learn the ins and outs of outdoor leadership.
After a long day of exploration, there’s nothing better than frying bannock around the campfire with your new friends. Enjoy fresh, nutritious meals that you probably made yourself!
