Backcountry Experience

Step into Galiano’s wilderness and unveil the mysteries of rare Douglas-fir ecosystems as you master the basics of hiking, camping and outdoor survival. With three program length options, “Backcountry Experience” is perfect for nature-newbies and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts alike! Guides & Scouts look no further – this program is full of activities that will help fulfil badge requirements.

Program Overview

Program Length

Single Day OR
Overnight – 2 days, 1 night
Overnight – 2 days, 2 nights
Overnight – 3 days, 2 nights
Overnight – 3 days, 3 nights

Availability

Year round

Location(s)

  • Mid-Island Protected Areas Network
  • Millard Learning Centre

Recommended Grades

Grades 4-12

Curriculum Links

  • The role of environmental awareness and stewardship in outdoor recreation and conservation
  • First Peoples traditional practices and ecological knowledge related to activities in the local environment
  • Preparation for outdoor activities – Food, water, shelter 
  • Strategies for adapting and responding to changing environmental conditions and emergencies
  • Group management, conflict resolution and leadership in outdoors settings

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • 3 – Good Health & Wellbeing
  • 14 – Life Below Water
  • 15 – Life on Land

Program Highlights

Backpacking Journey

Hike across stunning ridges, along the mysterious Beaver swamp and relax on Pebble Beach in a 8km backpacking journey through Galiano’s Mid-Island Protected Areas network. This active hike is a friendly challenge for those looking to introduce their students to backpacking and mountaineering.

Navigation & Orienteering

How do you put “Red Fred in the Shed”? Learn tips and tricks for compass navigation. Put your new navigation skills to the test in an orienteering challenge where you must find native medicinal and edible plants that will help you survive the Galiano’s wilderness.

Knots & Tarp Shelters

Under the hole and through the loop – learn simple survival knots to build an A-frame or lean-to tarp shelter that will keep you warm and dry on the “wet” coast.

Wilderness Safety & First Aid

What first aid materials should you carry with you at all times in the backcountry? When and how should you extract a hurt hiker? How do you help someone with hypothermia? Learn the ABC’s of wilderness first aid by play-acting backcountry emergency scenarios. Maximize the safety of your backcountry campsite by identifying common forest hazards, like “Danger Trees”. Master slinging a food cache in a tree and compete to see who can do it the fastest.

Backcountry Cooking (Overnight Only)

Learn the dynamics of team-based food preparation in the outdoors and how to cook with compact, fuel-based cookstoves.

BONUS: GCA Camping Gear rentals included in all Overnight Backcountry Experience Programs

Prices

Costs per group for day and overnight programs

FAQs

How to get here, what to bring, how to prepare

Bursaries

We can offer financial help to groups in need

Register

Are you ready to book your program?

[My favourite part of the program was…] The hiking! I’ve never hiked so much in my whole life. It was nice to walk the whole day.”

– Maya, Age 18

I learned how to set up tarps, tents, stoves, hiking bags, and learned about different species.

– Anonymous, Age 13

I liked the no civilization environment. I could spend time in nature with almost no distraction. This let me take in the learning well.

– Anonymous, Age 15

I learned about new plants and trees as well as new terms for trees. I also learned that it is wise to close up your tent at night.

– Anonymous, Age 18

Here are a few of our recent Outdoor Skills and Adventure themed field trips:

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