When Laurella (Lizzy) first spotted an Instagram post for Outward Bound Canada’s Forest Pathways Academy, she wasn’t expecting it to change her career path. But something about the program stood out: it was a blend of adventure, environmental learning, and career exploration that felt “too good to be true.”
Applying turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions she’s ever made.
Trading Marketing for Adventure
Before joining the Forest Pathways Academy, Lizzy worked in digital and product marketing for tech companies. She had studied digital business and professional writing, and while she excelled in her work, something was missing.
“I had the skills, but not the passion. So, around this time last year, I decided to resign because I knew if I stayed in my role, it would mean more years of doing work I didn’t love.”
An avid climber and camper, Lizzy saw the Forest Pathways Academy as an opportunity to turn her love of the outdoors into something more meaningful.
A Community in the Woods
OBC’s Forest Pathways Academy is a free training program for individuals interested in exploring a career path in Ontario’s Forest and Green Jobs sector. Focused on closing the representation gap in these fields, the program offers immersive outdoor experiences, hands-on workshops, and personalized mentorship to help participants build practical skills and explore new career paths.
The program includes four key components:
- Outdoor Skills Certification & Training
- 14-day Canoe Journey
- Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
- Career Exploration Workshops
Lizzy’s journey began at an outdoor centre in the Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, where she and her peers spent ten days earning outdoor certifications, building leadership skills, and getting to know one another. As an introvert, Lizzy initially worried about spending so much time with a group of strangers, but the shared experience of living and learning outdoors quickly created a sense of community.
“It was really fun getting to know all the different personalities. Even though we were all different, our shared love for the outdoors brought us together in such a unique way.”
She especially appreciated how the extended time together allowed everyone’s true selves to shine through: “First impressions can be misleading. Spending multiple days together let me get to know people more deeply. Over ten days, I watched people evolve; the quieter ones opened up, and the louder ones became more reflective. It created a really balanced, understanding group dynamic.”
Lessons from the Lake
Next was the Temagami canoe journey: a 14-day backcountry journey where participants deepen their connection to the land, develop essential outdoor and risk management skills, and often find inspiration for future career or educational opportunities.
For Lizzy, it was the most challenging and the most rewarding part of the program. “It was so fulfilling to cover so many kilometers in such a short time. It was the longest trip I’d ever been on and the longest I’d ever paddled in a single day. On our final day, we paddled 25 kilometers. It was our biggest challenge and a really satisfying way to finish the trip.”
She still remembers her first portage vividly: “I carried the canoe myself, but I didn’t really do it by myself because everyone offered breaks and support along the way. It was only about 350 meters, one of the shorter portages, but the canoes were heavy, and even just a few steps felt intense. That experience reminded me that I can do hard things, but more importantly, that it’s okay to ask for help and trust that people genuinely want to support you.”
Another unforgettable moment came after a grueling day paddling in the rain: “When we finally reached camp, it was still pouring. I tried to set up my tarp using the trucker’s hitch I’d just learned. I was super excited to put it to good use, but I just couldn’t get the angle of the tarp right. After about an hour of struggling, I saw two of my friends walking down a trail and decided to join them. As we walked, I was still feeling pretty dejected about the tarp, and accidentally stepped into a ground wasp nest and got stung on both legs. At that point, I was just done. When we got back, I crawled into my tent and cried a little.”
Despite a challenging day, Lizzy stepped into her role as the day’s chef and that’s when everything began to turn around. “Cooking in the rain, with everyone crowding around the fire, was difficult,” she recalls. “But when we finally sat down to eat, the instructors asked everyone to share what they were grateful for and a couple of campers said they were grateful for me. They talked about how I’d been a great co-chef and how they’d enjoyed paddling alongside me. Hearing that made me feel a whole lot better. I remember just silently crying in the glow of the fire, this time in gratitude.”
“That campsite, and that day, reminded me how powerful friendships are for your well-being, how much I want to be that kind of friend, and that your presence truly matters”
Charting a New Career Path
After two weeks in nature, Lizzy returned home with new ideas and a fresh perspective on how she might enter the green jobs sector. Inspired by the kindness and expertise of the Outward Bound instructors, she’s interested in becoming a climbing guide or working in the climbing community, particularly supporting women and girls.
“When I worked at a climbing gym, I loved helping young girls get on the wall, cheering them on, and encouraging them to push themselves. That’s something I’d love to explore further.”
She also discovered an unexpected interest in the logistics side of outdoor education. “After talking with the instructors, I realized I really enjoy trip planning, managing things like food preparation, organizing equipment, and trip logistics. It seems like a great fit for me; a balance between being outdoors and the organizational skills I developed in my marketing career.”
Gratitude for the Journey
When asked what she’d say to the funding partners who make programs like the Forest Pathways Academy possible, Lizzy doesn’t hesitate.
“I’d say that an opportunity like this honestly feels like something out of a dream. It came at the perfect time for me, right at a crossroads in my life, both in terms of my career and in rediscovering my connection to nature.”
“This program gave me a whole new perspective, not just on how to strengthen my connection with nature, but also how to share it with others. It helped me realize that inspiring others to appreciate and care for nature could be my calling.”
Interested in supporting programs like the Forest Pathways Academy?
As a registered charity since 1969, Outward Bound Canada relies on the generosity of donors, partners, and funders to make life-changing outdoor education experiences accessible to youth across the country. While the first iteration of the Forest Pathways Academy was funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, we are now seeking support to continue offering similar programs beyond January 2026.
The Forest Pathways Academy empowered individuals to explore meaningful careers in the forestry and green jobs sector, gaining hands-on skills, industry certifications, and a deeper connection to nature along the way.
By supporting programs like this, you help youth to discover their potential, develop leadership skills, and build a more sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
