Home > Youth Leadership Programs > BC Explorer: Paddle Edition (4/12 Day)
BC Explorer: Paddle Edition
A dynamic BC outdoor youth leadership camp and ocean paddle expedition
Welcome to British Columbia’s world of youth introductory outdoor leadership and ocean paddling expeditions, in connection with the Duke of Edinburgh Award of Canada (DofE participation is not required to attend). For some, it’s their first big leap into a teen overnight camp experience. For others who haven’t been to camp in years, it’s a warm “welcome back”. No matter who you are, BC Explorer is the perfect launch pad for budding adventurers with many of our BC Explorer teens going on to bigger, bolder experiences in the Yukon, Japan, Amazon Jungle, and more!
BC Explorer now offers two types of expeditions:
BC Explorer Standard: 3-night/4-day introductory canoe expeditions.
BC Explorer Advanced (NEW!): 11-night/12-day outdoor leadership adventure.
No matter which BC Explorer you choose, we will venture out onto the calm waters of the Sunshine Coast’s Sechelt Inlet. Surrounded by the glittering ocean and forested mountains, we’ll practice our canoe, outdoor, and leadership skills while staying at some amazing campsites. If we’re lucky, we’ll even spot some seals, orcas, or otters! In this world of late-night stargazing, sunset canoe journeys, secret waterfalls, and meaningful friendships, everyone has their own place and leadership journey. You never know what adventures you’ll find on BC’s amazing Sunshine Coast and Whistler (12-day only)!
Itinerary and Trip Details
Packing List
DATES
BC Novice (4-day)
June 26 – 29, 2025 (senior only)
July 04 – 07, 2025
July 07–10, 2025
July 27–30, 2025
August 08–11, 2025
August 15–18, 2025
BC Explorer Advanced (12-day)
August 04–15, 2025
Ages: 11–13 (junior), 14–17 (senior)
Group size: 8-12 with 2 instructors
Location: Sechelt Inlet, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
PRICES (CAD)
*Non-Refundable Deposit (any trip): $200 + GST
BC Explorer Novice (4-day)
$699 + GST
BC Explorer Advanced (12 days)
$1849.00 + GST
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
“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/twelve 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.
An exclusive Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Experience
Fireside is proud to be one of two Duke of Edinburgh ‘Trained Activity Providers’ in Canada. The Duke of Edinburgh’s award is an internationally recognized award that accelerates youths’ journeys into post-secondary education, careers, self-confidence and independence. This expedition is compatible with achieving your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Adventurous Journey (both practice and qualifying), or your Gold Project and beyond. Click here to learn how to earn the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Junior and Senior groups
We create the best possible experience by splitting up youths based on age, maturity, experience level, and need. We lead two groups simultaneously: Junior in one area and Seniors in another. This also accommodates siblings who want to go at the same time but don't really want to be in the same group. Siblings will be close to one another but have their own unique experiences.
Example of Sechelt Inlet Canoeing Route
We’ll have total freedom to explore and develop our leadership skills.
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!
Meet face-to-face with a playful otter, or marvel at bioluminescence on midnight shorelines.
Learn to use a map, compass and the star as your guide as you navigate Sechelt Inlet.
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!
Landscapes and waterways we’ll explore together
Sechelt Inlet (4-day expedition): One of BC’s most stunning paddling locations with unparalleled ocean vistas. Experience the incredible biodiversity of this region as you journey along the shorelines with incredible alpine views, passing through our ocean to the mountains of the Sunshine Coast. It is a truly majestic and humbling outdoor leadership experience.
Traditional Territory: Shíshálh
Squamish to Whistler to Sechelt Inlet to Howe Sound (12-day expedition): This year we decided to offer an epic leadership experience for both local and international youth. This extended BC Explorer expedition includes:
4-day mountain adventure around Whistler where we will hike along the peaks of the mountains and valleys, explore the world-famous village, partake in “wilderness gourmet lessons” and dig deep in the Fireside leadership experience.
4-day paddle experience in the Sechelt Inlet, navigating the majestic fjord and historic waterway while keeping an eye out for wildlife like orcas and seals.
4-day, cherry-on-top finale paddling and exploring parts of the Howe Sound from our base site on Keats Island. Howe Sound is BC’s newest recognized UN biosphere and a stunning example of BC’s coastal ecosystem.
Traditional Territory: Sk̲wx̲wúmesh, L̓il̓watú, Shíshálh
