YOUTH WILDERNESS COURSES
bedrock
Ages 9–12 | Entering Grades 4–7
BEDROCK is a Coldwater experience for kids ages 9–12 looking for an outdoor adventure. This program is based out of Camp Norland and focuses on forming healthy friendships, developing an adventurous spirit, learning new wilderness skills and establishing a solid faith foundation. BEDROCK participants will sleep in cabins with students of a similar age and will get to swim, canoe and enjoy campfires. Each participant will receive biblical teaching, will be introduced to the basics of leadership, will have opportunities to pray and will learn basic ways of journaling. BEDROCK participants will get to experience the fun of a wilderness adventure by spending up to two nights away from camp where they will cook over a fire, canoe on a northern Ontario lake, sleep in a tent and stargaze at night. Join us for a fun week-long adventure this summer!
BEDROCK participants will be supported by trained Coldwater leaders. We are confident this will be a great step in exploring wilderness adventures and helping to prepare your child for future Coldwater wilderness trips. If you think this is a good fit for your child, secure your spot today!
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Dates: July 19–25, 2026
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Location: Camp Norland in Verner, ON
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Cost: $540
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Arrival: Between 2:00–2:30 PM with the program beginning at 3:00 PM
Pick-Up/Departure: Between 10:00–10:30 AM
CAIRN
Ages 12–13 | Entering Grade 7 or 8
A “cairn” is a pile of rocks purposefully left behind for us to see which way the trail goes. Knowing how to recognize a dependable path and having the courage to take it is one of the biggest challenges for young people. These themes will be explored during CAIRN—our five-day/four-night canoe trip for junior high students who want to step out and explore what a wilderness adventure is all about. On your trip, you will paddle remote lakes, portage over rugged trails, cook your own food and sleep under the stars! There will be time to learn about God, read passages in the Bible and journal your thoughts. You will learn how to solve problems and make decisions with your group. Come prepared to develop meaningful friendships, experience growth and have fun in the wilderness!​
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Session I: July 5–11, 2026
Session II: August 9–15, 2026​
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Location: Temagami Area, ON
(Beginning and Ending at Camp Norland in Verner, ON)
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Cost: $552
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Arrival: Between 2:00–2:30 PM with the program beginning at 3:00 PM
Pick-Up/Departure: Between 11:00-11:30 AM (once the 10:15 AM Celebration Service is concluded)
*Parents and guardians are invited to the CAIRN Celebration Service at 10:15 AM, prior to program departure. During the service, you will see some photos and hear student reflections from their wilderness experience. If you plan to join us for the Celebration Service, please arrive by 10:00 AM.
GRIDIRON
Ages 14–15 | Entering Grade 9 or 10
‘Gridiron’ is an old explorers’ term that means “a narrow passage leading to a larger path on a journey.” This six-day/five-night wilderness canoe trip is for students entering grade 9 or 10, a critical season that sets the tone for the rest of high school and beyond. GRIDIRON will help you create and meet goals setting you up to navigate high school with purpose and confidence. You will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with God, form deep friendships with others and grow as the unique person God has created you to be. Come prepared to learn wilderness skills, be challenged and have a character-forming adventure!
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Session I: July 11–18, 2026
Session II: August 15–22, 2026
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Location: Temagami Area, ON
(Beginning and Ending at Camp Norland in Verner, ON)
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Cost: $644
Arrival: Between 2:00–2:30 PM with the program beginning at 3:00 PM
Pick-Up/Departure: Between 11:00-11:30 AM (once the 10:15 AM Celebration Service is concluded)
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*Parents and guardians are invited to the GRIDIRON Celebration Service at 10:15 AM, prior to program departure. During the service, you will see some photos and hear student reflections from their wilderness experience. If you plan to join us for the Celebration Service, please arrive by 10:00 AM.
COMPASS
Ages 16–18 | Entering Grade 11, 12 OR a RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
COMPASS is a wilderness canoeing experience for high school students with a focus on self-discovery, leadership development and spiritual formation. This program is for those who want to challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zone and have real opportunities to lead. In this course you will have the opportunity to deepen your relationship with God, develop your character, grow in self-awareness and form healthy friendships.
While journeying through the wilderness classroom, you will have space for journaling, reading the Bible, sitting by a campfire, sharing stories and connecting with God in silence and solitude. You will overcome challenges with your group and will learn useful wilderness and leadership skills, all while being immersed in pristine wilderness.
COMPASS will help you understand where you are at, decide where you want to go and equip you with skills to get there. Set your bearing on COMPASS this summer!
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Dates: August 13–22, 2026
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Cost: $828
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Location: Temagami Area, ON
(Beginning and ending at Camp Norland in Verner, ON)​
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Arrival: 2:00–2:30 PM with the program beginning at 3:00 PM at Camp Norland
Pick-Up/Departure: Between 11:00-11:30 AM (once the 10:15 AM Celebration Service is concluded)
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*Parents and guardians are invited to the COMPASS Celebration Service at 10:15 AM, prior to program departure. During the service, you will see photos from the trip and hear student reflections from their wilderness experience. If you plan to join us for the Celebration Service, please arrive by 10:00 AM.
IGNITE
Ages 16–18 | Entering Grade 11, 12 or recent high school graduate
IGNITE is a leadership experience for high school students designed to ignite service and leadership in their lives. In 2026, we are revamping the program in order to offer youth with a genuine desire to grow the opportunity to deepen their faith, practice leadership and embrace a heart of service. We believe the later high school years are crucial for cultivating a posture of servant hearted leadership, and so in 2026 we are investing in these students by covering the registration fee for up to 7 youth.​
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Phase I: Wilderness Trip
This wilderness canoeing and backpacking expedition is an adventure that will challenge you to grow mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually. Over the course of 15 days, you will have numerous opportunities to hone your wilderness skills and grow as a young leader. Intentional time will be carved out to explore how Jesus led and what it means to lead as a young person. Get excited to form deep relationships, learn how to grow your faith, develop grit, nurture resilience and embrace opportunities to lead.
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Phase II: Service-Learning Assignment
Following your wilderness trip, you will return to Coldwater’s summer basecamp to build on what you have learned from the wilderness. You will receive some additional training before being placed in a leadership role during our BEDROCK program giving you the opportunity to apply what you have been learning in a real-world context. Serving during BEDROCK will also allow you to complete volunteer hours towards the community service requirement on your Ontario Secondary School diploma.
We are confident that IGNITE will help you level up, preparing you to serve and lead in the years ahead. If you are looking to strengthen your faith, learn about leadership, grow in an intentional community and have an incredible amount of fun, then IGNITE is for you!
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Dates: July 1–26, 2026
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Location: Camp Norland in Verner, ON
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Cost: No cost to participate if accepted
Arrival: Between 2:00–2:30 PM with the program beginning at 3:00 PM
Pick-Up/Departure: Details will be emailed to accepted applicants​
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*In 2026, we are only offering this experience to seven participants.
**Accepted applicants must be willing to raise some student sponsorship funds to cover a portion of their in-camp expenses and other costs related to this experience. This will allow other people in their lives to join and enable them in this ministry opportunity. We have a process in place and will support accepted applicants in doing this!
Program Schedule:
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July 1: Arrival at our Camp Norland basecamp between 2:00–2:30 PM; group introductions, trip preparations, gear and food pack-out
July 2–July 16: Wilderness Backpacking & Canoeing Expedition
July 17–25: BEDROCK Service-Learning Assignment
July 26: Final debrief, celebration & pick-up
IGNITE - Missinaibi Youth Expedition - July 2027
Ages 16–18 | Entering Grade 11, 12 OR a RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
IGNITE - Missinaibi is a three-week program that consists of an extended wilderness expedition down the Missinaibi River and service in the town of Moosonee, before taking the train south. IGNITE - Missinaibi is a far north wilderness canoe adventure set against the rugged, pristine backdrop of the Lower Missinaibi River; drop and pool rapids flowing into gravel flats, epic fishing, untouched wilderness, fresh water meeting salt water, rugged portages, days of unbroken paddling, canoeing into James Bay and a train ride on the Polar Bear Express back into civilization; all of this in God's pristine wilderness with a group of people committed to stepping outside their comfort zones to learn and grow together. This could be you in July, 2027!
IGNITE will also involve additional leadership training at our basecamp and will give Coldwater youth the opportunity to “level up” and be propelled into the years ahead ready to serve and lead. Following the wilderness trip, youth will return to Coldwater’s summer basecamp to build on what they have learned from the wilderness by being placed in a leadership role during our BEDROCK program. Serving during BEDROCK will also allow them to complete volunteer hours towards the community service requirement on their Ontario Secondary School diploma.​​​​
SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!
*If you require financial assistance to participate in any of our programs, please email info@coldwatercanada.org for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities​.