Custom Groups and School Bookings Form

Are you a school, scout/guide, club, corporate, or other group that would like more information on our custom programs? Please read the Group Bookings Overview page for an idea of the types of offerings we have, and then complete the form below to send in your program request.

Requests should be submitted at least 6 weeks before the intended program date for best availability. Requests with less lead time may not be possible. 
We are entirely unable to take bookings within 2 weeks of intended program date.

Contact Information
Please provide your contact information for our response:
Group Information
Please provide information on the group to participate in requested activities:
Group type
Does your school fall under one of our existing master agreements?
Activities
Please review the Custom Group Bookings webpage for information on the activities available before selecting from the following.
Additional questions will populate depending on your entry to acquire the information needed to book a custom program for your group.
From the information entered, we will be able to respond with pricing, possible dates, and options for the activities you are interested in booking.
Please select one or more of the following activities you are interested in booking and then fill in following details:
Paddling/Watersport Programs
Please select from the following options and provide us some information on your group's paddling interests.
Please select the custom group paddling program(s) your group is interested in:


Experiential Canoeing Notes:
Bowness Canoeing programs run at a 1:10 ratio, including all teachers / group leaders participating in boats. Maximum 30/session.
A 2- to 3-hour program is a good length for a group to learn the skills and strokes and have some time to paddle around and practice.
Programs are charged by the hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. Shorter programs will be charged for 2 hours and instructors will make the most of the time available.
Multiple groups may rotate through sessions at a rate of the total length (e.g. two groups coming for 2 hours each over a 4-hour period will cost less than separate lessons on different days)
Bookings are available weekdays May, June, September, and early October, as well as some evenings and weekend days.

What size of group would you like to book for Bowness canoeing?


Experiential Kayaking Notes:
Bowness Rec Kayaking programs run at a 1:8 ratio, including all teachers / group leaders participating in boats. Maximum 24/session.
A 2- to 3-hour program is a good length for a group to learn the skills and strokes and have some time to paddle around and practice.
Programs are charged by the hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. Shorter programs will be charged for 2 hours and instructors will make the most of the time available.
Multiple groups may rotate through sessions at a cost of the total length (e.g. two groups coming for 2 hours each over a 4-hour period will cost less than separate lessons on different days)
Bookings are available weekdays May, June, September, and early October, as well as some evenings and weekend days.

What size of group would you like to book for Bowness kayaking?
Are you looking to book...

Canoe Progression to River Canoe Day
All instructional programs start with a half-day flatwater Intro to Canoeing on the lagoon, then progress to a half-day Intro to Moving Water on the Bowness eddies before doing a downstream river trip.
We can book a 1.5-day program consisting of the half-day lagoon program, then one day of moving water in the morning, followed by a river paddle from Bowness to Shouldice in the afternoon.
For a 2-day program, the flatwater and moving water intro programs can together fill a first day, followed by a full-day river canoe trip on the second. Program may run over subsequent days or two weeks in a row, but it is better to keep the time between progressions short to retain skills.
All river programs use 1:8 ratios (including teachers / group leaders) with a max of 24 participants.
Please select the series of lessons you would like to book
Day 1: morning Intro to Canoeing (lagoon), afternoon Intro to Moving Water (eddies) Day 2: full-day river canoe paddle
Day 1: half-day Intro to Canoeing lesson (lagoon) Day 2: morning Intro to Moving Water(eddies), afternoon river paddle to Shouldice

Canoe Progression to River Multi-Day Tripping
Our program involves two days of instruction (four half-day modules) to build the skills for a multi-day tripping program. These may be done over a few days in a row and continueing to the trip for a focused program, or spread over the week or two before the trip as scheduling permits (should remain close to trip to retain learning).
The standard scheduling is:
Day 1: morning flatwater Intro to Canoeing on the lagoon, and afternoon Trip Planning session to teach packing and loading canoes, introduce the camping gear that will be used on the trip, review equipment list, and plan meals and food sharing. The length can vary depending on previous experience and the trip's equipment plan.
Day 2: morning Intro to Moving Water on the Bowness eddies followed by afternoon River Canoe Intro with a first downstream paddle to Shouldice Park. Program may run over subsequent days or two weeks in a row, but it is better to keep the time between progressions short to retain skills.
Day 3-?: multi-day canoe trip
All river programs use 1:8 ratios (including teachers / group leaders) with a max of 24 participants.

Lake Canoeing Notes:
We can offer a single-day program at destination lake, spending the morning on an introductory lesson, then going for a paddle in the afternoon.
Optionally, a half-day introductory lesson at Bowness lagoon could introduce the paddling skills followed by the full-day lake trip with more time for touring.
Please note your desired schedule along with date requests below.
Lake programs run at a 1:10 ratio (including teachers / group leaders) with a max of 30 participants.
Does your group have any previous canoeing experience?
Does your group have any previous camping experience?
Please select your group's canoeing & camping gear requirements:
Outdoor Centre supplies guides and their transportation only
Outdoor Centre supplies all canoeing gear (including transportation for guides/gear)
Outdoor Centre supplies all canoeing gear; tents, tarps, stoves, fuel, pots, water treatment; and dry bags/barrels for this and personal gear
Outdoor Centre supplies all canoeing gear; tents, tarps, stoves, fuel, pots, water treatment, sleeping bags, and thermarests; and dry bags/barrels for all gear
What size of group would you like to book for your river canoeing program?
What length of canoe trip are you interested in booking?
The Bow River downstream of Calgary is an excellent location for an introductory 3-day or overnight canoe trip, with easy access, scenic paddling, and reasonable water conditions the majority of the year.
Other rivers may be an option depending on the conditions and dates.
What size of group would you like to book for your lake canoe day?
Do you have a lake in mind for your canoe day?
Note that not all bodies of water are suitable options due to the water, wind, and other environmental conditions, and planned location may sometimes need to be altered if the conditions at the intended site are not suitable for a safe and enjoyable experience. 
Lakes in Kananaskis are a 1- to 2-hour drive (each way) from Calgary.
Please detail number of sessions or different groups as relevant to the dates listed. Include either specific dates/times requested if your availability is tight, or general (e.g. "morning", "evening", Wed/Thurs in late May", etc.) if more flexible.
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s)/time(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
You can see the current availability for Bowness programs on this calendar. Any slot marked "Reserved" is unavailable for bookings. Open spaces are likely to be bookable.
Include either specific dates/times requested if your availability is tight, or general (e.g. "morning", "evening", Wed/Thurs in late May", etc.) if more flexible.
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s)/time(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
If you are fitting this trip into a school day, or have group transport scheduled, or otherwise, please note your specific start and/or end times.
If not fixed, please note preferences if there is a schedule you'd like to aim for, modifiable by trip needs.
Please list any additional information relevant to your desired paddling activity. If your group has any curricular goals, coordination with other programs, special needs, or further details, please list here.
Climbing Programs
Please provide more details on your group's climbing interests.
Which group climbing programs are you interested in booking?
Wall is available weekday mornings (09:00-11:30) from September through June, or select evenings after 18:30. Max group size 24, 1:6 ratios, gear included.
Wasootch Creek, Yam Bluffs, or other local crags; available May-September. Max group size 24, 1:6 ratios, gear included.
Lead/trad/crack climbing, rescue skills, etc. Gym or outdoor by request, ratios and group size dependent on activity.
How many participants would you like to book for the climbing program?
Non-climbing teachers may be excluded from ratios, but all climbers must be counted, whether group members or leaders.
Are you looking to book...
Has your group done any climbing before?
Note the availability mentioned for the different types of programs. Please detail number of sessions desired or different groups as relevant to the dates listed.
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s)/time(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
You can see the current availability for Climbing Wall programs on this calendar. Any slot marked "Reserved" is unavailable for bookings. Open spaces are likely to be bookable.
Please list any additional information relevant to your intended climbing activity. If your group has any curricular goals, special needs, or further details, please list here.
Hiking & Backpacking Programs
Please select from the following options and detail your group's interests.
Which group hiking/backpacking program(s) are you interested in booking?

Backpacking Notes:
We can offer backpacking trips from beginner overnights to destination weeks for experienced trippers ready to explore a new area. Destinations are limited by campground availability, and popular destinations can be difficult to book. Requests less than 4 months ahead of the desired dates may not find a suitable route available. 
Ratios are 1 guide to 8 participants (including teachers / leaders for youth groups), and specific trails will also impose limitations on maximum travelling together during the day and maximum bookings possible.
Backpacking programs will include a pre-trip information session to review equipment and trip details, and plan meals and packing. This is a half-day program that will vary according to trip specs, and can be offered independently at our site or yours, or as part of a prep day that also includes a practice hike. This is ideally about 1 week prior to the trip, and can also be scheduled to include parents of participants for youth groups.
Multiple options exist for the provision of group and/or personal equipment.
Do you have a particular trail in mind for your trip(s)?
Are you looking to book...
How many participants are you looking to book for the hike (per trip, if planning multiple)?
Teachers / chaperones / group leaders are included in the participant numbers and ratios. This is the total group size per trip - some trails will require breaking into separate groups with each guide due to permit restrictions.
Is your group able to split up into smaller groups on the trail?
(for youth groups, this will require one adult teacher/leader in each group)
(this may restrict trail options to those permitting larger groups)
Please approximate your group's collective fitness level and hiking experience:
Note number of sessions or different groups if relevant. Include specific dates requested if availability is tight, or general options (e.g. "Thursdays", "early August", etc.) if more flexible.
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
If you must start/finish at a particular time (e.g. within a school day) or any part (e.g. scheduling another activity after), please note the times and point of origin. Most dayhikes are a 1- to 2-hour drive from Calgary, so that will play a part in choice of trail.
If you are flexible, please note any preferences around start/end times.
Please note if multiple groups/programs.
minimal a little moderate advanced
Please select your group's equipment requirements:
Outdoor Centre supplies guides only (who carry emergency supplies)
Outdoor Centre supplies tents, tarps, stoves, fuel, pots, water treatment;
Outdoor Centre supplies tents, tarps,a stoves, fuel, pots, water treatment; backpacks, sleeping bags, thermarests
Please give specifics if you are looking for fixed trip dates, or an approximate range desired if more flexible. 
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s)/time(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
Please note also your scheduling preference for Trip Planning session or trip.
What educational, activity, or other goals do you have for this program?
Please list any additional information relevant to your intended hiking/backpacking activity. If your group has any special needs, custom requests, or further details, please list here.
Cross-Country Skiing Programs
Please use the following to provide information on your group's cross-country skiing interests.
Which cross-country skiing program(s) are you interested in booking?
Do you have a particular location in mind for your Kananaskis XC Ski Day?
Are you looking to book...
How many participants would you like to book for cross-country skiing? (per session, if planning multiple dates)
For youth groups, teachers / group leaders are included in the participant numbers and ratios. This is total group size per grip - each instructor + group will spread out on the trails in most areas.
Does your group have any previous cross-country skiing experience?
Do you also need rental ski equipment?
Please detail number of sessions or different groups as relevant to the dates listed. Include either specific dates/times requested if your availability is tight, or general (e.g. "morning", "Tuesdays in early Feb", etc.) if more flexible.
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s)/time(s) and a couple of backup options will make it easiest for us to book you.
Please list any additional information relevant to your desired cross-country skiing activity. If your group has any curricular goals, coordination with other programs, special needs, or further details, please list here.
Snowshoeing Programs
Please complete the following to provide us details of your group's snowshoeing interests.
Which snowshoeing program(s) are you interested booking?
Do you have a particular location in mind for your snowshoe program?
Are you looking to book...
How many participants are you looking to have snowshoe? (per session, if planning multiple)
For youth groups, teachers / group leaders are included in the participant numbers and ratios. This is the total group size per trip - some trails will require breaking into separate groups with each guide due to permit restrictions.
Is your group able to split up into smaller groups on the trail?
(for youth groups, this will require one adult teacher/leader in each group)
(this may restrict trail options to those permitting larger groups)
Please approximate your group's collective fitness level and hiking/snowshoeing experience:
Will you need snowshoeing equipment rental included?
Note number of sessions or different groups if relevant. 
Listing a first choice of ideal date(s) and a couple of backup options (specific dates or general "Tuesdays in Feb", etc.) will make it easiest for us to book you.
Please list any additional information relevant to your desired snowshoeing activity. If your group has any curricular goals, coordination with other programs, special needs, or further details, please list here.
Custom Mountain Guiding
Please provide some more details on the type of program of interest to your group. These activities will be more specific to your group's goals than others, and permit smaller groups. 
Which mountain activities are you interested in booking?
Do you have a particular location in mind for this program?
A first choice of ideal date and a couple of backup options will make it easiest to book.
What goals do you have for this program?
Please list any additional information relevant to the intended activity. If your group has any special needs, custom requests, or further details, please list here.

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.