Kids and Youth Day Camps – Canadian Rockies

Kids and Youth Day Camps – Canadian Rockies Itinerary

Our Canmore Camp days are from 9AM to 5PM every day Monday – Friday. We start and end at a trailhead or at a meeting point in Canmore within a 15 minutes driving distance. We can provide group transport for an added price, or they can organize their transport to trailheads themselves. On some days, we may venture a bit further away from town which could be as far as the Goat Creek or Mt. Yamnuska trailheads. We adjust our daily programs to the weather, group preferences, skill and fitness levels and depending on weather and location chosen, we may end our day with a dip at Quarry or Grotto Lakes or in one of the creeks after our hike or climbs.

Skills and Content Covered during the Camp:
– Risk management and trip planning for hiking, scrambling and rock climbing
– Movement skills and efficiency for rock climbing and scrambling
– Rope handling, belaying techniques, lowering and repelling, knots, basic self-rescue
– Naviagtion, GPS mapping, use of conventional maps, compass and altimeter
– Wildlife and Leave-no-Trace basics

Selection of Possible Daily Objectives:
Depending on weather, group preferences and abilities, we combine rock climbing and scrambling objectives either by alternating daily but some days we may first climb a peak and go rock climbing in the afternoon. Most days, given summery weather, we try to end the day at one of the local lakes or creeks to cool down.

Hikes and Scrambles:
– Ha Ling Peak (2460m) Hike / Scramble (800m vertical, 3.5 km horizontal distance. 12 min drive from downtown Canmore).
– East End of Rundle EEOR (2530m) Hike / Scramble ( 860m vertical, 3 km horizontal distance. 12 min drive).
– Lady MacDonald Ridge (2600m) Hike / Scramble (1200m vertical, 4.5 km horizontal distance, 5 min drive).
– Mt. Yamnuska Traverse (2230m), Hike / Scramble (1000m vertical, 11 km horizontal distance, 15 min drive).
– Spray Lakes to Three Sisters Mountain Village Traverse, Hike (several options, 630m climb, 820m descent, 8 km distance, 15 min drive)
– Wind Ridge Traverse (2170m), Hike / Scramble (800 m vertical climb, 12 km horizontal distance, 10 min drive).
– Heart Mountain Traverse (2140m) Hike / Scramble (960m vertical climb, 8 km horizontal distance, 12 min drive).

Rock Climbing Sites:
Grassi Lakes (8 min drive from downtown Canmore)
Cougar Creek (5 min drive from downtown Canmore)
The Fazerland (12 min drive from Canmore)
Grotto Canyon (15 Min from Canmore)
Yamnuska Bluffs (20 min drive from Canmore)
Heart Creek (15 min from Canmore)
Zy Goat (12 min from Canmore)
Sunshine Bluffs (20 min from Canmore)

We also have access to other less known sites and objectives that offer relative solitude in the Bow Valley.

Phones / Use of Electronic Devices

The distractions of electronic devices and outdoor adventures and education don’t go well together. We would be happier if participants left their smart phones at home, but we accept their use during the day for taking photos, videos, navigating and mapping or calling parents if need be. We reserve the right to ask participants to leave their phones at home, if we notice habitual use such as gaming, social media or chatting apps.

Recommended accommodation in Canmore, AB

If you require accommodation in Canmore or Banff, we can gladly give you a hand with your booking in light of your preferred lodging standard, price level and location in town, may it be in a hotel or air b&b.

Here are a few of our recommended hotels in Canmore:

• Coast Hotel
• Basecamp
• Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge
• Georgetown Inn

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

Can I Do It?

No previous rock climbing or scrambling experience required but useful. Campers should be keen to spend an entire day in the mountains with the fitness to walk all day at a reasonable pace and often uphill. Participants should also be sure-footed to walk confidently on exposed trails in the mountains.

Climbing Grade Conversion