So your school is coming to Strathcona Park Lodge. Lucky you – we wish our school came here.
A visit to Strathcona Park Lodge is a lot better than a week at school. You'll learn lots, have fun, make new friends and try new things.
Bet your wondering what it’s going to be like. Below you’ll find most of the answers. Also, check us out on Facebook.
When you arrive, one of our instructors will give you a run down of how the place is run. In the meantime if you’ve got other questions give us a shout, 250-286-3122 or email. We know you probably won’t, but if you do we promise to be nice.
Don’t worry about taking notes, your instructor will go over all this in more detail on the first day. And, we don’t do tests.
About Strathcona
Think of Strathcona Park Lodge as a giant outdoor playground. We’ve got boats, rock climbing cliffs, high ropes courses, a massive lake, hiking trails, a beach, a sauna and more. Spread across the property are a bunch of buildings and cottages where you’ll sleep, eat and learn.
We’re in the middle of nowhere – so last century. We don’t have cell coverage and rooms don’t have phones, TV or Internet (forget about Wi-Fi). We create our own power from water and we heat that water with sunlight. We treat our drinking water with UV lights.
Yeah it’s different but we think you’ll love it here.
How to pack for your trip
Getting ready to set up camp.
What to bring depends a bit on what program you’re doing. Click here to find detailed clothing and equipment lists for every program.
Basically, you want warm clothes, lots of socks and underwear, a waterproof jacket and pants, a warm sleeping bag, a toothbrush, headlamp or flashlight, running shoes or hiking boots and a big backpack to carry it all in.
Don’t bring valuables if you don’t need them as your rooms aren’t locked. We do have a safe in the office for games or phones brought on the bus.
What you do depends on what program you’re signed up for. No two are identical but here are the basics.
Bring the fun level to new heights by challenging yourself on the tree climb.
Best of Adventure: You get to try a little bit of almost everything – canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, high ropes and orienteering. High ropes, zip line and rock climbing will probably be a highlight. Most programs include an overnight camping trip, which is always lots of fun.
Specialty programs: On these programs you’ll focus on one or two activities like rock climbing, canoeing, sea kayaking, whitewater paddling or backpacking. Usually with these programs you spend more nights camping.
Whichever type of program you’re doing you’ll have free time between activities. You’ll have boundaries, but mostly you’re free to do what you want: hang out with friends, take a shower, play basketball. During this time your chaperones and teachers are in charge.
Keep in mind that no matter what program you’re on this is not a guided trip. You’ll be expected to participate and contribute in all activities.
What you Eat at the Lodge
The family style buffet serves three meals a day. You will eat here when you stay on property and make your own camp fire meals on out trip.
We think the food here is awesome, but it may not be what you’re used to. Keep an open mind and try something new. You might find a new favourite. The food is served buffet-style in a dining room we call the Whale Room, because it has whale bones hanging on the wall.
You’ll line up along either side of a long table and help yourself. The menu is always changing, but follows a pattern. At lunch and dinner there are always a couple of salads, some veggies, a carbohydrate (rice, bread, pasta) and usually a meat. For breakfast there’s fruit, yogurt, granola, oatmeal, toast and then a main dish like scrambled eggs, pancakes or French toast.
Our kitchen is sensitive to allergies and specific diets. There are no peanuts in the Whale Room or kitchen and there are always options for vegetarians and vegans as well as gluten and dairy-free alternatives. Be sure to let your instructor know if you have any allergies.
The Whale Room has plenty of seating inside and outside overlooking Upper Campbell Lake and picturesque mountains. After eating, you’ll scrape any food scraps into three bins: compost, “cooked” compost and burnable.
Where you Sleep at the Lodge
Seal House is an example of one of the many eclectic buildings you may be staying in.
You’ll stay in a hotel room that has been converted for schools. When you arrive, your teachers will assign you to a room with several of your classmates. Each room has bunk beds, maybe a cot or two and a chest of drawers. You’re sharing space, so be nice and consider your roommates. Most rooms have their own washroom.
Beds have clean sheets and pillow cases, but you need to bring a sleeping bag. Just like at home, keep your room neat. Before you leave, you and your roommates will be responsible for cleaning your room, washroom and common areas.
Curfews are set by your school and are usually tiered: in your room, lights out, quiet.
One of the rooms in the Outdoor Centre.
A room in the College building.
The instructors love to work with kids in the outdoors. Their infectious laughter, smiles and general happiness will leave you wanting to come back.
Instructors
Our instructors and leaders are a lot of fun and highly skilled. You’ll meet your instructor shortly after arriving at the Lodge, he/she will be your guide for your entire stay. They’ll show you around, guide you through the activities and keep you safe. By the end of the week they’ll probably be your friend.
They all know first aid and CPR, are trained and certified in a bunch of different activities, are full of information and they work hard to make sure your visit is fun and safe.
If you’re curious to find out more about the instructors head on over to our Youtube page and check out some of the past and current staff.
