Outdoor School and Group Programs

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Bookings for the 2024/2025 school year will open on June 1.

Outdoor Adventure Programs offer the best outdoor education experience in the city. Spend quality time and learn a new skill that will stay with you and your class for the rest of your lives.

We offer programs for school groups from kindergarten through Grade 12. Join our fully qualified program leaders in an outdoor adventure. All equipment is provided. Students will find some balance in their lives by enjoying nature in Edmonton's beautiful River Valley.

Book Your School or Group Program

(2023/24 School Year)

Outdoor School and Group Programs

Note: for high school programs (Grade 10-12) tax is not included in the fee.

Archery (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Bull's eye! Learn about the equipment and discover the basics of archery, while practicing aim and letting some arrows fly! Archery programs all come with a bonus of an Initiatives program!

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: May-October
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 15 Students: $346
16-30 Students: $532
Location: Victoria Park Oval

Cross-Country Skiing (Grades 4-12 / Ages 13+)

Try out the groomed tracks at one of our cross-country skiing sites. This program focuses on safety and fun! Learn new skills while you play ski-friendly games with our instructors.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: October-April
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 12 students: $426
13-24 students: $567
25-36 students: $716
Locations:
Victoria Golf Driving Range
Gold Bar Park (Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11)

Biking Skills (Ages 9+)

Get on a bike, strap on a helmet and follow our instructors to explore the bike trails of Edmonton's river valley! Learn about equipment sizing, bike maintenance and trail safety while improving your cycling skills.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 30 students: $540
31+ students: $681
Location:
Gold Bar Park (Grades 10-12 / Ages 15-18)
Kinsmen Park (Grades 7-12 / Ages 12-18)
Rundle Park (Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11)

Biking Skills - Mini (Grades K-6 / Ages 6-12)

Increase your confidence on a bike at a learner-friendly site. We provide bikes, helmets and optional training wheels for young riders. Our instructors focus on safety and fun in this experience-based program.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 30 students: $540
31+ students: $681
Location: Rundle Park

GPS and Navigation (Grades 7-12 / Ages 9+)

Learn how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and recreation! We teach the practical uses of GPS, a basic understanding of coordinate systems and navigational techniques using handheld GPS devices.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 12 students: $369
13-24 students: $510
25-36 students: $651
Location:
Rundle Park or
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)

Initiative Tasks (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Build an understanding of group communication and teamwork by facing challenges and problem-solving activities as a group.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 15 students: $384
16-30 students: $525
31-45 students: $666
Location:
Victoria Park Oval
Rundle Park
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)

Kicksledding (Grades 4-12 / Age 9+)

Discover the traditional mode of winter transportation that millions of Scandinavians love - kicksledding! Experience Edmonton’s River Valley Parks through a new perspective while travelling alone or with a partner sitting up front.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Availability: December - March (snow condition dependant)
Group Size / Fees: Up to 30 students: $567
Location: Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)

Long Boarding (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Try out longboarding at Rundle Park and learn about balance, turning techniques and safety. Once you have learned the essentials, we will head out and explore the trails in Edmonton’s River Valley in a whole new way!

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees: Up to 30 students: $570
Location: Rundle Park

Orienteering and Navigation (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Learn to find your way! Acquire navigation skills including map reading and compass work.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees: Up to 36 students: $510
Mobile Program:
Rundle Park
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)

Outdoor Skills (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Learn survival and camping skills such as shelter building, fire building and knife safety. Ask us about outdoor cooking opportunities including bannock.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 15 students: $384
16-30 students: $525
31-45 students: $666
Location:
Rundle Park
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Northeast River Valley Park (September - December only)

Predator and Prey (Grades 4-12 / Ages 9+)

Experience first-hand how animals survive and thrive! This classic game is a fantastic demonstration of the dynamics of a food chain and animal survival techniques.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 15 students: $361
16-30 students: $502
31-45 students: $643
Location:
Rundle Park
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Northeast River Valley Park (September - December only)

Snowshoeing (All ages / grades)

Learn how to travel using Canada's traditional mode of transportation! See classic beavertail style snowshoes, play games and experience a winter landscape through a new perspective. Great for younger participants and families. We also have aluminum snowshoes to try out for ages 12 to adult. Ask about booking these for your group.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: December-March
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 24 students: $567
25-36 students: $716
Locations:
Rundle Park
Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)

Tandem Canoeing (Grades 7-12 / Ages 12+)

Learn the importance of teamwork and communication as you canoe in pairs. Basic strokes, safety and fun will be emphasized. All instructors are Paddle Canada certified.

Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: May-October
Group Size / Fees:
Up to 10 students: $369
11-20 students: $510
21-30 students: $658
31-40 students: $800
Locations: Hermitage Park

Welcome to Outdoor Adventure School and Group Programs

Explore, learn and engage with Outdoor Adventure Programs. Please review all information on what to expect, what to wear, what to bring and cancellations, prior to attending one of the programs.

Our Staff

As program instructors, all Outdoor Adventure Program staff members are dedicated to providing an enjoyable program experience for the group, with an emphasis on safety and risk management. All staff members are First Aid and CPR certified, and meet or exceed industry standards for instructor certification and training.

Our Equipment

We provide all equipment for activities. You are welcome to bring your own helmet for biking programs. Please do not bring your own bike. All equipment will be checked by our staff to ensure it is safe to use in our programs. Please let us know if we can provide any adapted equipment for participants with special needs.

What to Wear

Winter clothing

Dress in layers. A base layer that will wick moisture away from the skin, a mid layer that will provide insulation, and a waterproof outer layer to keep you dry.
Base and mid layers should be made of a synthetic wicking fabric or wool, which are fabrics that will pull moisture away from the skin. Cotton fabrics are a poor choice.
Warm socks, mitts and toques are a must!
Wear warmer clothing for low-energy programs such as Outdoor Skills, and less warm, more breathable clothing for high-energy programs such as Cross Country Skiing.

Summer clothing

Be ready for the weather! Bring rain gear if needed, or a hat and sunscreen
Always bring a water bottle
Bring a backpack for small personal items
For all water sport activities, wear clothing, including shoes, that can get wet

What to Expect

Communication

A few days before the date of the program, you will be contacted by a member of the Outdoor Adventure Programs who will confirm the details of your upcoming program. Please let them know if there have been any changes to your program, particularly times or group number changes.

Preparedness

Group supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their participants are dressed appropriately and prepared to be outside.

Supervision

It is expected that the teacher/group supervisor will maintain responsibility for the discipline and control of their group, and that they participate fully in all aspects the program.

Ratios

In addition to the Outdoor Adventure Program staff leading the program, we recommend a 1:15 teacher to student ratio for grades 4-12 and a 1:5 teacher to student ratio for grades K-3.

Cancellations

Notice of cancellation is required via email to: cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca. Cancellations with 8-29 days notice will be charged 50% of the program fee, unless the cancellation can be filled by a waitlisted group. Cancellations with less than 7 days notice will be charged the full program fee. If you are canceling a program with less than 24 hours notice, please call 780-983-4387.

Programs run rain or shine. In the event of unfavourable weather you must call 780-983-4387 or email cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca to reschedule or cancel your program. Programs cancelled due to severe weather conditions and rescheduled within the current or upcoming school year fall term (Sept-Nov) will not be charged a cancellation fee.

Outdoor Adventure Programs reserve the right to cancel a program at any time. Cancellations made due to weather do not incur administration fees.

Other School and Group Programs

Looking for more program options? See the complete list of school and group programs at attractions and recreation centres.

Contact Us

Outdoor School and Group Bookings

Email	cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca
Phone	311

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Outdoor School and Group Programs

Book Your School or Group Program

Outdoor School and Group Programs

Welcome to Outdoor Adventure School and Group Programs

Our Staff

Our Equipment

What to Wear

What to Expect

Communication

Preparedness

Supervision

Ratios

Cancellations

Other School and Group Programs

Contact Us

Outdoor School and Group Bookings

Outdoor School and Group Programs

Book Your School or Group Program

Outdoor School and Group Programs

Our Staff

Our Equipment

What to Wear

What to Expect

Communication

Preparedness

Supervision

Ratios

Cancellations

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Other School and Group Programs

Contact Us

Outdoor School and Group Bookings