Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre

WYLD Backcountry Classic ✨

We are gearing up for our outdoor education season and getting excited for WYLD summer youth programs! Who’s joining?

Register on our website or give us a call to connect about WYLD camp options.

Exciting day today kicking off the season with our 2026 management team!

A nourishing morning connecting with one another and our values as well as looking back and ahead and sharing a meal in a beautiful place full of opportunities!

We are excited for the season ahead!

New WYLD camp alert! 

WYLD Backcountry Escape is a 6 day backpacking trip that takes participants into the heart of Strathcona Provincial Park, on a challenging through hike.This trip is an excellent choice for previous WYLD participants who want to expand on previous skills learned. 

On this expedition you’ll put many of your skills to the test, traveling through rugged old growth forest and steep off trail terrain to gain Strathcona’s subalpine. Once in the subalpine, you’ll experience pristine lakes, glacial views, and be surrounded by the steep mountains. Throughout the trip, some skills participants will develop are: route finding /navigation skills, how to travel through difficult terrain as a group, and camp cooking.

Reach out if you have more questions about this trip! 

The magical time of year when the sun sets in the center of the Elk River Valley is here!

For us at Strathcona, this is often the beginning of the cold, sunny, snowy and bright days of winter!

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We are thrilled to be offering our Q***r Youth and Allies Backpacking camp again this summer, in partnership with Alana Norie! Its official new name is WYLD Huckleberry Camp.  

We are excited to have already received a lot of inquiries so we have added another Camp for 2026!

Camp Huckleberry is a 5 day backpacking trip that focuses on supporting Q***r, Trans, and 2-spirit teens in creating connections, celebrating q***r and trans joy, and accessing the outdoors in a fun and supportive way.  This program will be led in partnership with Alana Norie, an experienced trans non-binary outdoor instructor and is for 2sLGBTQIA+ and allied teens. Camp Huckleberry is funded by the generosity of grants, and donations from community organizations. Check out the link in the story for more information about the camp, funding, or how to support.

If you are interested in participating fill out the interest form, on our website. Link in story!

Parent Testimonial: “Our teen loved their time at the camp, and I think that is an understatement. It was the most psychologically safe experience they had ever had being in an entire group of q***r folks. They felt that it was "transformational", and as their parents, we are so grateful that they could have that experience. Plus being outdoors, what an amazing, positive and life affirming opportunity.” 

Dates and age ranges:

July 21-25, 2026 - Ages 16 - 18
August 2-6, 2026 - Ages 12 - 15

WYLD Backcountry Classic is a 12-day, multi-sport expedition.This is a human powered trip! Campers will make their way from the Lodge via canoe before spending about 6 days hiking amongst the alpine environment. With the support from SPL instructors campers will learn to travel together as a cohesive group. If weather and other variables permit the group might have the chance to summit a peak! 

Parent Testimonial: “Boys made a life long friend and have already been back to the alpine to practice their skills!”



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We love a canoe trip at SPL! Our WYLD Backcountry Beginnings campers get the chance to explore Upper Campbell & Buttle Lakes - which hold so much history and beauty and are an ideal location for multi-day canoe trips. Get ready for lots of swimming, amazing views, and finding the ease and flow that comes from being out in nature for 8 days.  

Parent Testimonial: “An amazing experience. The leaders provided an excellent opportunity for self discovery, leadership skill development and fun. This trip was a highlight of my son’s summer!”

Looking to explore more backcountry this summer?

Our WYLD Discovery camp is the perfect trip for youth ages 12-13. On this 8 day trip, participants get to sample both canoe camping and backpacking. Blending these two modes of travel is a great stepping stone for those looking to take on our longer trips in the years to come. This camp also features our onsite High Ropes & Rock Climbing bluff - we love watching these campers expand their comfort zones throughout the trip.

Give us a call if you have questions about signing your youth up for one of our WYLD camps. 

THE OCEAN holds a special kind of magic...

Our WYLD Nootka camp is the ideal introduction to sea kayaking expeditions. Campers will learn about the significance of Nootka Sound, an area that is rich in Indigenous significance & culture as well as Western exploration.

Campers will learn backcountry camping, leadership and have the opportunity to learn other essential sea kayaking skills such as paddling and rescue techniques, chart navigation, weather interpretation, tides, marine wildlife etiquette as well as leave no trace principles. Weather permitting, the group will make their way to the historic Mowachaht village of Yuquot (also known as Friendly Cove).

All dates are live on our webpage!