Custom Groups and School Bookings

Learn the basics of canoeing on a flatwater lagoon in Calgary. Start with a quick intro to equipment and water safety, then learn entry, exit, and basic strokes through games and a tour of the lagoon. A 2- to 3-hour Flatwater Skills Intro on the lagoon can also provide the necessary skills to move on to our Moving Water canoe programs

Numbers/Ratio:   
10 participants per instructor (Non-participating teacher may be excluded from ratio, but all participants in boats are included)   
30 participants max per session   
Location:   
Bowness Park Lagoon (sometimes Shriners’ Lagoon when conditions require)   
Availability:   
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving, subject to water levels   
Some evenings late May to early September   
You can view the current availability for Bowness bookings on this calendar. Any slot marked "Reserved" is unavailable for bookings. Open spaces are likely to be bookable except during July-August, where daytimes are never available. Limited space remains for spring 2024. 
Equipment:   
All paddling equipment (boats, paddles, PFDs) included   
Notes:   
Experiential programs are charged by the hour. Minimum lesson is for 2 hours - any shorter lesson will be charged the 2-hour price, and instructors will make best use of the time available. Multiple groups may rotate through shorter sessions and cost will be for the full time (cheaper than separate short sessions)   
Participants under the age of 10 must be directly accompanied by an adult in each boat

Spend a day in Kananaskis from the beautiful vantage of a canoe. Start with a quick intro to equipment and water safety, then learn entry, exit, and basic canoe strokes. A tour of the lake will further develop strokes and watercraft handling skills while offering 360-degree views. No previous experience required.

Numbers/Ratio:
10 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / group leaders
30 participants max per trip
Location:
Glenmore Reservoir, Barrier Lake, Lower Kananaskis Lake, or other destinations
Availability:
Weekdays and some weekends, June and September
No availability remaining for 2024
Equipment:
All paddling equipment (boats, paddles, PFDs) included, as well as transportation of paddling gear

Build on flatwater canoeing skills by moving onto the river for this half-day intro to moving water canoe skills. Practice through the Bowness eddies will introduce basic river skills including eddy turns and forward ferries. Build confidence in manoeuvreing the canoe with moving-water strokes and plenty of skill-building practice.

Numbers/Ratio:
8 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / group leaders
24 participants max per group
Location:
Bowness Park eddies (Bow River)
Availability:
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving
Note: very limited availability remaining for Spring 2024
Prerequisite:
Half-day Flatwater Skills Intro at Bowness Lagoon or equivalent instruction
Equipment:
All paddling equipment (boats, paddles, PFDs) included, as well as transportation of paddling gear

Paddle the Bow River downstream using the skills learned in Flatwater and Moving Water Introductions. Start with a review in the Bowness eddies, then head down the river to practice strokes and learn how to read the water. 
This could be the final part of a canoe skills series, or the practice session for a whitewater or multi-day canoe camping trip.

Numbers/Ratio:
8 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / group leaders
24 participants max per group
Location:
Bow River from Bowness Park to Shouldice Park
Availability:
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving
Note: very limited availability remaining for Spring 2024
Prerequisite:
Half-day Moving Water Skills Intro at Bowness eddies or equivalent instruction
Equipment:
All paddling equipment (boats, paddles, PFDs) included, as well as transportation of paddling gear
Scheduling Note:
Program may be combined with half-day Moving Water Intro for a full day of river canoeing instruction

Paddle the Bow River downstream using the skills learned in Flatwater and Moving Water Introductions. Start with a review of moving water techniques, then head down the river for a full day of canoeing. Practice strokes and build control and river-reading skills along the way. This is a great full-day trip to complete a canoe instruction series. 

Numbers/Ratio:
8 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / group leaders
24 participants max per group
Location:
Bow River from Bowness Park to 12th Street (North Calgary), Glenmore to Fish Creek (south Calgary), or Wildcat to Cochrane (upstream of Calgary)
Availability:
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving
Note: very limited availability remaining for Spring 2024
Prerequisite:
Half-day Moving Water Skills Intro at Bowness eddies or equivalent instruction
(this is a full-day alternative to the half-day River Canoe Intro program, not a next step, though the full day of paddling does offer a longer trip and more skill-building along the way)
Equipment:
All paddling equipment (boats, paddles, PFDs, helmets) included, as well as transportation of paddling gear
Waterproof canoe barrels (1/boat) will be available to pack lunch, jacket, etc. 
Outdoor Centre will transport guides and canoeing equipment, and can shuttle a limited amount of participant gear for pickup at the take-out point.

Spend multiple days on the water while exploring a local river. Our suggested introductory trip paddles the Bow River downstream of Calgary for a scenic three days. Other locations may be possible depending on conditions and availability.  
Improve canoe handling through plenty of practice with a laden boat. Along the way, build introductory tripping skills including loading and securing gear, camping, and cooking. This entry-level trip is suitable for all with the prerequisite preparatory instruction. 

Numbers/Ratio:  
8 participants per instructor  
24 participants max per trip  
Location:  
Bow River downstream of Calgary – Glenmore to Carseland  
Availability:  
Weekdays May-June and September  
Prerequisite courses should be scheduled close to trip  
Note: no availability remains for new tripping programs for Spring 2024.
Prerequisites:  
Half-day Bow River Canoe run (after Flatwater and Moving Water Intros) required for paddling experience  
Prep session covering packing, meal planning, and camping details for off-water preparation  
Equipment:  
Guides carry emergency equipment including first aid kits, rescue gear, and communication devices  
Outdoor Centre provides all paddling equipment (boats, paddles, helmets, PFDs, canoe barrels, drybags)  
Participants provide food, with guide assistance in planning and packing  
Three options for camping equipment:  
     a) no equipment provided; group/participants provide everything for off-water use  
     b) group gear (tents, stoves, pots, fuel, tarps, water filtration) provided; participants provide personal gear  
     c) all gear provided (above plus sleeping bags, thermarests); students provide personal items only

Learn the additional skills required for packing, loading, camping, and cooking before setting off for a multi-day canoeing trip. Practice packing and loading a canoe, as well as try out the equipment that will be used on the trip, and work together to create meal plan and shopping list to be well prepared.

Location:
Can be offered at Bowness Park in combination with course, or various alternate sites.
Availability:
Weekdays shortly before scheduled multi-day canoe trip
Can also be combined with Flatwater Intro session to form one full day of building tripping skills.
Equipment:
Items relevant to trip will be brought for demonstration purposes

Learn the basics of kayaking on a flatwater lagoon in Calgary. Start with a quick intro to equipment and water safety, then learn entry, exit, and basic strokes through games and a tour of the lagoon.

Numbers/Ratio: 
8 participants per instructor inclusive of all teachers/group leaders participating in boats 
24 participants max per session. 
Location: 
Bowness Park Lagoon (sometimes Shriners’ Lagoon when conditions at Bowness are not suitable) 
Availability: 
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving, subject to water levels 
Some evenings late May to early September 
You can view the current availability for Bowness bookings on this calendar. Any slot marked "Reserved" is unavailable for bookings. Open spaces are likely to be bookable except during July-August, where daytimes are never available. Limited space remains for spring 2024. 
Equipment: 
All paddling equipment (recreational kayaks, paddles, PFDs) included

Learn the basics to paddle a raft including the strokes and teamwork needed to efficiently manoeuvre down the river. Stay active and safe while enjoying a fun time floating down the scenic Bow River in Calgary.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 8 participants per guide/raft, inclusive of teachers / chaperones or other group leaders
Max 32 participants total per trip
Location:
North Calgary: Bow River between Baker Park and Eau Claire/12 St SE, pending river flows and time available
South Calgary: Bow River between Glenmore (Graves Bridge) and Fish Creek (Boat Launch)
Availability:
Weekdays and some weekends, May through September, subject to water flow/levels
Equipment:
All rafting equipment (rafts, paddles, PFDs) provided
Transportation:
Dropoff and pickup from river access points (directions will be sent).
Outdoor Centre will transport guides and rafting equipment, and can shuttle a limited amount of participant gear for pickup at the take-out point

Learn the basics of stand-up paddleboarding on a flatwater lagoon in Calgary. Start with a quick intro to equipment and water safety, then learn basic strokes through games and a tour of the lagoon.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 8 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / chaperones or other group leaders participating
Max 16 participants per group
Location:
Shriner's Lagoon in Calgary (see location)
Availability:
Weekdays May-June and September-Thanksgiving, subject to water levels
Some evenings late May to early September
Equipment:
All SUP equipment (boards, paddles, PFDs) included

Go for a tour on a mountain lake and build your paddling skills along the way. Start with a review of safety and strokes, then enjoy plenty of practice and fitness-building over the day’s exploration.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 8 participants per instructor, inclusive of teachers / chaperones or other group leaders participating
Max 16 participants per group
Location:
Various lakes and ponds in Kananaskis
Availability:
Weekdays and some weekends, June through September, subject to conditions
Prerequisite:
Intro SUP or similar previous flatwater SUP experience
Equipment:
All SUP equipment (boards, paddles, PFDs) included

Start climbing the walls with a belay skills lesson and movement tips from a certified climbing instructor. All ages welcome; no experience required. Groups returning for more than one session can build climbing and belaying skills further with additional practice. 

Numbers/Ratio:
We book in units of 6 participants per instructor. Non-climbing teacher or group leader may be excluded from ratio.
Max 24 participants per session.
Location:
University of Calgary Outdoor Centre climbing wall. See more about our wall and photos here.
Availability:
Climbing bookings are available weekdays from 09:00 to 11:30 (or a portion thereof depending on group availability). Select evenings are available after 18:30.
Equipment:
Outdoor Centre provides harnesses and belay devices, as well as optional climbing shoes.

Get outside for a day of rock climbing at a local crag. Learn basic belay and movement skills from a certified climbing instructor and enjoy plenty of practice time on the rock.

Numbers/Ratio:
We book in units of 6 participants per instructor. Non-climbing teacher or group leader may be excluded from ratio.
Max 12 participants per group.
Location:
Wasootch Creek, Yamnuska Bluffs, or other local single-pitch crags.
Availability:
Weekdays and weekends May through September
Equipment:
All climbing gear provided (harnesses, belay devices, climbing shoes, and rope gear)
Participants are responsible for own hiking boots for access walk and backpack / personal items.
 

The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre climbing wall is designed to learn and practice lead climbing, trad climbing, anchor building, rappelling, and rock and crevasse rescue. We can teach a variety of advanced skills to improve your toolkit or transition to outdoor use. Describe your group's current experience and goals, and we can put together a lesson to achieve that aim.
Maximum numbers, ratios, and availability will depend on program content.

Get outside for a day of hiking in the stunning Rocky Mountains. Enjoy spring flowers, pristine lakes, alpine meadows, or fall colours, while learning from our experienced guides. Trips can range from experiential to instructional, and routes selected for a preferred ability level, area, or terrain interest.

Ratio:
Hikes run at a ratio of 1:12, inclusive of teachers / group leaders. Some locations require splitting into separate groups on the trails, while others permit larger groups to stay together with multiple guides.
Location:
Many locations are available within a 1-2 hour drive of Calgary depending on season and goals
Availability:
Weekdays and weekends May through October
Winter hikes are also possible, including ice walks available December through March.
Equipment:
Guides carry emergency supplies. Participants provide their own food and equipment.

Enjoy a guided walk through one of Calgary’s natural areas. Locations can be selected for proximity or terrain preference with trips of varying length and difficulty possible. Programs can also cover interpretive topics or preparation for mountain trips. 

Ratio:
Up to 12 participants per guide; large groups may travel together
Location:
Nose Hill, Bowmont, Weaselhead Flats, Fish Creek, or other parks all provide a great natural experience within the city. 
Availability:
Year-round options
Equipment:
Guides carry emergency supplies. Participants provide their own food and equipment. Outdoor Centre can provide traction aids for icy winter conditions for smaller groups.

Develop a deeper appreciation for the mountains by spending a night camping in the backcountry. Learn what to bring and how to carry a pack, as well as food planning, preparation, and cooking. Go further on the trail and discover places to spend a night. Trips can be easy to moderate and suited to various fitness levels, from easy introductor overnight/weekends to longer multi-day programs for experienced groups.

Ratio:
Backpacking runs at a ratio of 1:8, inclusive of teachers / chaperones or other group leaders. Most locations will require travelling in separate groups on the trail, but multiple groups may be able to camp together at the same site(s).
Location:
Multiple options possible in Kananaskis and the mountain parks depending on group size and time of year
Availability:
Weekdays June thorugh September (late May or early October possible pending conditions)
Early planning (3 months +) is necessary to procure campsites which can be limited even on weekdays.
Weekends possible but with limited availablity, particularly pending campground bookings
Prerequisites:
Prep/information session reviewing equipment, packing, meal planning, and trip plan
Prep day hike is optional but recommended
Equipment:
Guides carry emergency supplies, and gear may be provided according to desired package:
a) no equipment provided; group/participants provide everything
b) group gear (tents, stoves, pots, fuel, tarps, water filtration) provided; participants provide personal gear
c) all gear provided (above plus backpacks, sleeping bags, thermarests); participants provide personal items only 
Participants are responsible for bringing food, with guides assistance in planning and packing.

Learn the additional skills required for packing, camping, and cooking before setting off for a multi-day backpacking trip. Review clothing, personal and group camping equipment, and learn how to efficiently pack a backpack. Discuss backcountry cooking and food options, and work together to create a meal plan and shopping list. Bring any preparation questions for guides.

Numbers/Ratio:
No specific requirements - we can work together as one group, or run through multiple stations with large numbers
Location:
Can be offered at University of Calgary or other sites as convenient.
Availability:
Weekday morning or afternoon, ideally around 1 week before scheduled backpacking trip
Equipment:
Items relevant to trip will be brought for demonstration purposes

Spend a half-day learning basic cross-country ski techniques on trail networks within the city. Lesson will introduce basic movement and balance skills on gentle terrain, and progress to striding, gliding, and turning with skill-building activities and plenty of practice. One-session programs will focus on getting a good start skiing, and multi-session programs can introduce additional techniques and practice time.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 10 participants per instructor
Max 30 participants total per session
Location:
Confederation Park Golf Course, or other city parks (may include added cost for more distant locations)
Availability:
Weekdays January through March, depending on snow conditions
Equipment:
Cross-country skis, boots, and poles provided for all participants

Spend a day learning beginner cross-country ski techniques on the beautiful trails of Kananaskis. Lesson will introduce striding, gliding, and turning on easy terrain, with skill-building activities and plenty of practice to become comfortable moving on skis.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 10 participants per instructor
Max 30 participants total per session
Location:
West Bragg Creek, Pocaterra, or Ribbon Creek groomed trail networks
Change of planned location may be recommended to take advantage of better trail conditions or additional amenities like Pocaterra Warming Hut for colder weather days.
Availability:
Weekdays January through March
Equipment:
Cross-country skis, boots, and poles provided for all participants
Participants must supply own backpacks, extra clothing layers, and food/water for the day

Try snowshoeing and learn the basics in a city park. May be run as a tour through a large city park, or a simple intro with games in a smaller local natural area. Dates and locations are dependent on snow.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 12 participants per instructor; larger groups may work together with multiple instructors
Max 36 participants at once, but multiple groups could cycle through in a day of activities
Location:
West Confederation Park, Weaselhead Flats, Fish Creek, or other park areas with snow
Location may need to move or activity vary in low snow conditions
Availability:
Weekdays and some weekends, December through March, depending on snow conditions
Equipment:
Snowshoes provided for all participants in adult and (limited) youth sizes

Learn to enjoy the winter and see the trails in a whole new way on snowshoes. Trips of varying difficulty available for different fitness or ability levels.

Numbers/Ratio:
Up to 12 participants per guide - some trails will require groups to travel independently, while others permit larger groups with multiple guides
Max 48 participants per group
Location:
Various locations available 1.5-2 hours from Calgary, or when snow is sufficient, West Bragg Creek
In times of low snow, some locations may need to move to area with more reliable snowpack, or smaller groups could switch to hiking with cleats
Availability:
Weekdays and some weekends, December through March
Equipment:
Guides carry emergency supplies; snowshoes provided for all participants
Participants supply own boots, packs, food, and clothing
Poles can be added for adult or all participants for an additional charge if requested