5 Day Skills Course: Level 2, Backpacking, Toronto
Take your backpacking skills further through four days of hiking, navigation, and two nights under the stars. | August 10-14, 2026
SKIP To:
Course Overview
$575 + tax
Grades
4-8
Dates
August 10-14, 2026
Duration
4 Days, including 2 Overnights
Location
Don Valley Brickworks Park
Start & End Point
Outward Bound Canada base at the Don Valley Brickworks Park, in Toronto, ON
Indigenous Territories
Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
ACtivities
Mapping the Course Ahead
This four-day backpacking course invites returning and experienced students to deepen their hiking, navigation, and camping skills while exploring new terrain. Participants take on longer routes, learn to plan and lead sections of the day, and work together to travel safely and efficiently as a group.
With guidance from experienced Outward Bound Canada instructors, students practice advanced map-and-compass navigation, campsite management, and environmental stewardship. The course concludes with a two-night campout where participants put their new skills into action, cook together, and experience the independence and accomplishment that come with a multi-day journey.
Financial Assistance
In order to help reduce financial barriers, OBC is proud to offer the opportunity to apply for our Youth Access Fund for this course.
Course Details
Over four days, participants hike longer distances and take on more responsibility for group travel, navigation, and campsite setup. With support from Outward Bound Canada instructors, they practice decision-making, risk awareness, and low-impact camping while strengthening teamwork and resilience. The two-night campout allows for a deeper connection to nature and a true sense of self-reliance.
Each student earns an Outward Bound Canada microcredential recognizing their backpacking skills, leadership, and personal growth.
Things to Know
Getting to your course is easy!
Participants will meet and finish each day at our Outward Bound Canada base in the Don Valley Brickworks Park. The park is accessible by car, TTC, bike, or the free Evergreen Brickworks shuttle from Broadview Station. There’s parking on site, and the TTC’s 28 Bayview South bus also stops right at the Brickworks entrance.
Our team is always on site to welcome participants, confirm attendance, and support them throughout the day. For the overnight portion, full details and packing information will be shared ahead of time.
- Have questions? Our Program Team is here to help: urban_wild@outwardbound.ca
Each day of the course is filled with hiking, teamwork, and hands-on learning. Participants spend their days on the trail, building stamina, refining navigation skills, and developing confidence in outdoor travel.
Each day explores a new trail network or section of parkland, giving students opportunities to practice planning routes, managing gear, and making group decisions. Mornings focus on map reading and packing for the day’s hike, while afternoons are spent on the trail, setting up camp, and preparing shared meals. Evenings include time for reflection, connection, and planning for the next day’s journey.
On Thursday and Friday, students put everything they’ve learned into practice during a two-night campout, experiencing the challenge and satisfaction of completing a true multi-day Outward Bound Canada backpacking course.
Outward Bound Canada provides all the technical gear you’ll need, including helmets, harnesses, ropes, climbing hardware, tents, sleeping pads, first-aid equipment, cooking and eating utensils, stoves, tarps, and other group gear appropriate for your course.
Participants are only responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, footwear. You can pack everything in regular travel luggage. We’ll provide a detailed Clothing List to guide your packing.
Our instructors are more than trip leaders. They’re mentors, role models, and passionate educators dedicated to helping young people thrive.
- Highly Qualified: Certified and trained in First-Aid for wilderness and backcountry environments, technical activities, broad outdoor skills, and more!
- Experienced Leaders and Educators: Many years of training, mentoring, and guiding youth in backcountry environments
- Thoroughly Screened and Vetted: Rigorous hiring process, reference and credential checks, and clear vulnerable sector police check
- Trained by OBC: Ongoing professional development in leadership, inclusion, and youth development
- Supportive Mentors: Instructors take a participant-centred approach, meeting youth where they are and guiding them step-by-step to build confidence and resilience.
- Small Groups: Low instructor-to-participant ratios to ensure personalized guidance and care along with developing an effective team
“A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” – William Shedd.
Risk and challenge are part of everyday life, and when approached with intention and support, they become powerful tools for growth. On an OBC course, risks are carefully managed and kept to a minimum, ensuring they enhance the learning experience every step of the way.
- Expert Instructors: Certified and trained in wilderness medicine, risk management, and youth development
- Small Groups: Low instructor-to-participant ratios for immediate supervision and care
- Reliable Systems: Well-maintained equipment that meets industry standards, thorough safety checks, and responsive emergency action plans
- 24/7 Preparedness: Groups carry communication and tracking devices and instructors are trained for emergency response and evacuations
- Dietary Support: We accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions with advance notice
- Personalized Care: Health forms are reviewed in advance, and participant care and wellbeing are supported holistically
- Learn More: See our Risk Management page for details on our practices
Participants develop practical skills, personal confidence, memories that last a lifetime, and so much more.
- Leadership & Teamwork: Learn to communicate, collaborate, and support others in small tight-knit groups
- Outdoor Skills: Gain hands-on experience in navigation, camping, Leave No Trace practices, and activities such as paddling, hiking, etc.
- Environmental Stewardship: Develop a deeper connection to nature and outdoor places through responsible outdoor habits
- Life Skills: Build problem-solving, decision-making, organization, and personal responsibility
- Emotional & Social Growth: Strengthen self-awareness, coping strategies, and friendships through shared challenges
- Digital Detox: Learn to disconnect from screens and be less reliant on phones, enjoying the present moment in nature
FAQs
Here are a few questions we often get about this course. For more Frequently Asked Questions, click the button below.
Although being in nature can be described as therapeutic, it is important to note that Outward Bound Canada is not designed as a therapy program. Our instructors are trained in outdoor education and expeditionary travel and are not mental health professionals. The Outward Bound program can be very challenging both physically and mentally, and it is important to your success that you arrive with some healthy coping strategies to deal with these challenges.
Outward Bound is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things! Our courses are designed to challenge participants physically, emotionally and mentally. With a little preparation, you’ll feel more comfortable on the course overall. Students of all ages have successfully participated in wilderness adventures with us.
Overcoming challenges is one of the many tools we use to help you explore your personal potential. You will face physical challenges that are outside your routine, but motivation and the will to try are key to a successful Outward Bound experience. You can start now by engaging in activities that improve your endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Go for a walk, ride your bike, take a yoga class – whatever gets your body moving! On each course page you’ll find a rating and a description of the level of physical and social-emotional challenge the course offers. This gives potential participants an idea of the level of challenge they can expect in each course. Learn more about the levels.
If you are unsure about the physical requirements of your course, please contact one of our admissions coordinators at admissions@outwardbound.ca to find out more about the physical challenge you can expect in each course. When completing the confidential medical history form, please answer all questions honestly and provide as much detail as possible so that we can help you prepare. We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of you and your group.
A detailed menu is planned before each program, which may change based on a number of factors. We can accommodate many dietary restrictions and most food allergies. Please provide as much detail as possible about your dietary restrictions and allergies on your confidential medical history form. We may ask you for further information so that we can plan your menu.
Participants will receive sufficient calories through the physical activities on the course. It is not necessary for you to bring your own food to the course. Please speak to the Admissions Department to make sure you understand the dietary concerns of the other participants before packing any extra snacks.
You won’t need it – course participants enjoy a vacation from technology! Your cell phone and other personal items you won’t need (wallet, music player, plane tickets, etc.) will be safely stored in our office nearby while you’re in the wilderness.
Once the course begins, you won’t be able to contact anyone at home, you will be immersed in the Outward Bound experience – building a connection to yourself, to others and to nature! Please know that the instructor team has a plan for you to get in touch with our office and your emergency contacts at home in case of an emergency.
Our Cancellation Policy takes into account the fact that most of the costs for your expedition will be incurred before you arrive at your program. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend the program. Please refer to our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
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