Toronto Urban Wild
3-Week High School Phys Ed Credit

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Each week of the program, participants will focus on one activity and develop the skills associated with it:

Week 1 – Hiking  
Put your hiking skills into practice on the trails of the Don Valley Brick Works Park and Rouge National Urban Park: Home to amazing biodiversity and Canada’s only urban national park. You’ll learn how to pack your backpack, choose the right hiking gear, and build your physical and mental fitness as you explore the urban wild on foot.

Week 2 – Canoeing 
Focus on your flatwater canoeing skills on Lake Ontario and explore Ashbridges Bay, the Humber, Don and Rouge Rivers, as well as Toronto’s harbourfront and the famous Toronto Islands: a chain of 15 islands with scenic views of the city skyline. Get a solid introduction or improve your paddling and stroke techniques and expand your knowledge of canoeing equipment and techniques. Enjoy a view of the dynamic metropolis from the water – a whole new perspective!

Week 3 – Climbing  
Reach new heights by exploring the high ropes course at Don Valley Brick Works Park and climbing at Rattlesnake Point on the Niagara Escarpment. Explore and improve your physical and mental skills, familiarize yourself with climbing equipment, and learn safety and techniques with your new peers in the beautiful urban wilderness.

And that’s not all: Every Thursday night there’s an overnight camping experience. In week 1 you’ll camp at Rouge National Urban Park, in week 2 at the Toronto Islands and in week 3 at Rattlesnake Point.

Learning outcomes

Our expert instructors will guide you through unique challenges that require your group to work together to solve problems, reflect on your journey, and discuss how to apply your skills and what you’ve learned when you return home. The course is designed to have a lasting and measurable impact in three key areas:

Improved resilience – Improve your mental and physical health and learn how to overcome challenges to succeed.

Better leadership and teamwork skills – Learn the skills you need to succeed in school, work and life by becoming more confident, cooperative and a respectful team member.

Stronger connection to nature – Develop a lifelong relationship with nature.

Is this course right for me?

This course is for students in grades 9-12 and considered level 1 for social-emotional difficulty and level 1 for physicaldifficulty. 
Learn more about the levels of difficulty.

Solo experience

One of the highlights of Outward Bound expeditions is participating in a solo camping experience in nature. On this course, you may have the opportunity to sleep alone for one night where you’ll set up shelter and take time to reflect. You’ll have all the supplies you need to sleep safely and comfortably, and your instructors will be nearby to help you if needed and check on you regularly.

The solo isn’t a wilderness survival challenge, but rather a supportive environment where you can take time for yourself away from the distractions of everyday life. While it may seem like a daunting challenge at first, it’s often the most impactful part of the course because you get an opportunity that few others will ever experience – to be in nature, in your own company.

Financial assistance

We believe everyone should have access to exploring nature. We offer full scholarships to help cover the cost of course fees, and the Youth Access Fund offers financial support for those unable to finance their Outward Bound Canada experience personally. Please visit the Financial Assistance page for more information and to apply