School Programs

HeLa offers a variety of adventure education programs for school groups. All programs offer opportunities for integration of curriculum objectives, and focus on teaching safety knowledge, skills and judgement in outdoor adventure education activities. The programs flow from an "experiential education" framework, and thus offer learning, connections and fun!

Staff

• All of our programs are lead by well-trained, qualified and certified staff.
• We meet or exceed all School Board safety and insurance policies. Click here to download safety policies document (.pdf file).
• Our programs are designed to meet your specific expectations and curriculum objectives. Click here to download Curriculum Connections document (.pdf file). You need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to open and print this document.
• All programs require a minimum of 6 registrants to proceed.

Instructors

• Instructor-to-student ratio will vary depending on the type of activity.
• In any of our programs, safety is ALWAYS our first priority, and the quality of instruction/guiding reflects that mandate.
• Further details on the qualifications of the instructors/guides for your particular program will be provided upon registration.

Program Delivery

• These programs can also be delivered in a mix-and-match fashion, where groups of students can elect to do different programs.
• For example, a mountain biking option might become a part of the climbing and/or hiking day or a kayaking component a part of the canoeing day.
• Another mix-and-match option: some students may elect to do A1 (canoeing) while others choose B1 (biking).
• Please contact us if you are interested in exploring these options.

Equipment List

Please see our Documents page for a downloadable equipment list. Some programs may require additional equipment or supplies; please check with coordinators.

Option A: Canoeing Focus

In this three-day program, students learn the basics of lake and river canoeing with our Paddle Canada (PC) certified instructors. Our focus is on developing canoeing skills to allow students to manoeuvre their canoe safely and efficiently.

While paddling on scenic Twin Lakes, students practice their new skills with a variety of exercises and games. The canoeing experience culminates on the third day with a paddle on the North Saskatchewan River.

For day 2, a variety of dry land programming options are available.

Evening activities include co-operative and/or wide games, enjoying the healthy fare and a turn in our relaxing sauna!

Note: River runs include options for using tandem canoes, voyageur canoes, and/or rafts. The section we choose depends on your objectives and/or environmental considerations. Rapids on the North Saskatchewan River section that we paddle are maximum Class II.

A1 Three Day Standard Canoeing Program

Day 1 - Lake canoeing (skills training)
Day 2 - A challenging ridge hike
Day 3 - Option of either a river tripping or white water (Class II) skills development experience

A2 Three Day Standard Canoeing Program with Top-roped Climbing

Day 1 - Lake canoeing (skills training)
Day 2 - Top-roped rock climbing and interpretive hiking
Day 3 - Option of either a river tripping or white water (Class II) skills development experience

A3 Three Day Standard Canoeing Program with CTS credit options

Day 1 - Lake canoeing (skills training)
Day 2 - Dependent upon the CTS module chosen, the focus will be either wilderness living and survival skills (WLD 1010 or 1030) or forestry-based experiences and activities (FOR 1010). CTS concepts are integrated throughout the program
Day 3 - Option of either a river tripping or white water (Class II) experience

A4 Two Day / Two Night Canoeing and Hiking

Day 1 - The evening of the first day will consist of an orientation and some cooperative activities
Day 2 - A challenging ridge hike
Day 3 - Option of a river tripping experience in a voyageur canoe or raft

Option B: Mountain Bike Focus (all require a minimum of 6 students)

This program offers students a chance to experience the exciting, recreational activity of mountain biking in a safe and controlled environment.

Day 1, the focus is on building basic biking skills and biking safety on gentle trails. Students will also learn about biking etiquette and the basics of bike maintenance.

On subsequent days, we will bike on a variety of trails, from fantastic and scenic mountain trails in the Kootenay Plains to the Chambers Creek trail system -- challenging and dirty! In addition to the biking, a variety of dry land and/or canoeing programming options are available.

Evening activities include co-operative and/or wide games, enjoying the healthy fare and a turn in our relaxing sauna!

Students must supply their own bike helmets for all our biking programs.

B1 Three Day Standard Canoeing Program with Mountain Biking

Day 1 - Lake canoeing (skills training) and mountain biking
Day 2 - Kootenay Plains mountain biking
Day 3 - Option of either final mountain biking tour or white water (Class II) canoeing experience on the river

B2 Three Day Standard Canoeing with Top-roped Climbing and Biking

Day 1 - Lake canoeing (skills training)
Day 2 - Top-roped rock climbing and mountain biking
Day 3 - Option of either final mountain biking tour or white water (Class II) canoeing experience on the river

Summer Intensive Programs

Details to come on our new Summer Intensive Programs. Contact us for information.