None, unless otherwise specified! Our trips are designed to accommodate people of all experience levels. Our highly trained and equipped instructors will teach you everything you need to know in order to thrive in the wilderness. We just ask that you be willing to challenge yourself and try new things. Our experiences operate on a 'challenge by choice' principle. This means that regardless of your experience level, you should expect to be challenged. This will look different for everyone; some challenges may be physical, some mental, some relational, some spirtitual.

You have a unique role in the group and the group needs you! Each person on the trip, including you, has unique strengths and brings something of value to your trip community. Similarly, each person has areas where they can improve. If you look at your areas of improvement as learning opportunities instead of a weakness that hinders the group, you will experience so much more growth! The point of our trips is not to simply get from point A to point B as fast as possible; we are journeying. This means that what happens along the way is just as important, or maybe more so, than the final destination.

Our trip experiences are rooted in small group development because this is where we tend to see the most significant growth. In light of that, each trip has two highly trained, mature instructors and around 5-10 students.

Our instructors take part in a fully immersive two-month training program. The first month involves the development of a wide range of 'hard' wilderness skills through a three-week backcountry canoe trip. These skills include paddling techniques, camp craft, navigation, fire building, and cooking over a fire. Following their trip, leaders spend over a month learning about the process of small group development, the journey of spiritual formation, and the stages of adolescence and psychological development. This training is full of practical, hands-on experience so that all instructors can feel equipped and empowered to lead on trips. Coldwater also requires that all instructors hold a valid Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification prior to the beginning of the summer.

One of the greatest reasons we head out into the wilderness is to free ourselves from the immense volume of distractions that plague us in the world we know. As such, we ask participants to leave their technology in a safe storage area at the base camp while they are out on their trip. Taking a break from technology allows participants to be fully present with one another, and gives the group the best chance to become a tight-knit community. Not to mention, cell phones won't have reception in the backcountry and there is a risk of damage to electronics if they are brought out on trip. That being said, participants are more than welcome to bring along a camera if they would like. Coldwater will provide the opportunity for participants to collaborate and share all their photos after the trip is over.

Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of all staff and participants on a trip. All of our instructors are individuals who have proven themselves to be competent and mature in the wilderness and who have received a high degree of first aid training that meets the industry standard. Risk management is a significant portion of instructor training and our instructors are trained to identify different hazards and address them before they become an issue.

In the unlikely event of an emergency that cannot be handled with the available first aid supplies, instructors are equipped with and trained to use a satellite locator device. This device sends out the exact location of the group to the assigned Coldwater contact person. This person is available for contact 24/7 for the duration of the trip. Immediately upon receipt of the 'help' signal, a team is mobilized to head out and meet the group, bringing whatever they might need. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, the instructors can use the special SOS button to send a signal to the nearest emergency services team. This team typically travels by helicopter, providing a very quick response time. They will arrive at the location of the signal and will take the necessary action.

Our trip food is delicious and nutritious! We take food seriously since we are so active during the day. In addition to providing the necessary nutrients to refuel our bodies, our meals are a core part of our wilderness experiences - students play a significant role in the planning and cooking of meals and are given opportunities to be creative and experiment when doing so. Most of the food we bring on our trips is dehydrated, with the exception of a few fresh meals at the beginning of the trip. The dried food is the real deal, it's just been dried up to save both space and weight (something you'll be thankful for on the portage trail). Cooking over a fire, sipping hot drinks, and enjoying meals together are often highlights for our participants, so come prepared to enjoy! Bon appetit!

Our trips are fairly fast-paced, but we believe strongly in fun, reflection, and taking the time to find a Christ-centred calmness while in the wilderness. Morning quiet times are an integral part of our daily routine, as are evening group conversations around the campfire. Should the opportunity present itself, groups have been known to enjoy swimming, hiking, and exploring.

Definitely come on a trip! Similar to camp, you will have leaders (we call them instructors) with you for the whole week. You will get the chance to swim, sing songs, have morning devotion times, and make strong friendships. You'll also get to try new things like cooking over a fire, setting up a shelter, paddling a canoe, and using a map and compass to find your way!

Each of our trips is designed for a certain age range. We've listed ages for each trip, which indicate what age you will be by the end of this calendar year. For increased clarity, we've added grade ranges this year for all youth trips. If you still find yourself unsure of which trip to sign yourself or your child up for, please feel free to send an email to info@coldwatercanada.org.

Please feel free to send an email with any questions you may have to info@coldwatercanada.org and we'll get back to you shortly!