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Youth Summer Camps

Fireside Adventures - Youth Summer Camps :

Quest - International Youth Leadership Expedition

Date: July 14 - August 3, 2013
Age: 14 to 17 years old (co-ed)
Price: $3,349 CDN + 5% GST (includes instruction, food, accommodation, some camping gear, camping fees, and transportation during the trip. Does not include flight and some optional activities.)
Locations: Whistler, Gambier Island, Sechelt, Powell River, Vancouver

Canadian and international youth are welcomed to participate in a unique 21-day integrated leadership program while being immersed in an outdoor adventure expedition. Located in beautiful British Columbia, participants explore some of BC's most beautiful and significant locations, including: Whistler, Gambier Island, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver.

Quest International Youth Leadership Expedition Highlights:

Participate in an intensive outdoor leadership program. Please refer to our trip plan for program details.
Hike to two glacier lakes (Rainbow and Joffre Lakes).
Visit 2010 Olympic sites.
Hike along the majestic coastlines on the Sunshine Coast.
Spend the first four days at Whistler’s Fireside Lodge and sleeping the rest of the trip under the stars in some of BC's best Provincial Parks.
Experience the beauty of Howe Sound by water taxi on the way to Gambier Island.
Learn the basics of front country and back country camping, day hiking and orienteering.
Be supported by experienced and skilled instructors who will be supportive and provide supervision for 24 hours a day for the entirety of the program.
Participate in archeery, sorkeling, ocean kayaking and canoe skills training.
Learn about leadership styles and compentencies of leaders.
Partake in language and cultural exchange experiences with other international and Canadian youth.
Participate in environmental stewardship projects such as building an organic seed barn.

What is the International Youth Leadership Expedition all about?

Our international and Canadian youth leadership program is about giving our youth the skills, knowledge and confidence to be self-propelled youth leaders of their generation.

The International Youth Leadership Expedition is a blend of an ultimate road trip for youth wanting to visit and explore some most popular places to tour, explore and camp in British Columbia, while participating in an enriched leadership experience.

Our instructors support and teach participants how to lead themselves and develop a stronger sense of who they are, while learning the value of teamwork. Youth strive to understand their world and are eager to discover their leadership potential. Our 21-day program is a great educational stepping stone for youth to determine their vision and understand their potential.

Quest International Leadership’s Competency Elements

Individual Leadership – Youth work towards developing what they consider their individual leadership foundation pillars.

Community Leadership – The group will work together to build a strong leadership team and foundation before providing a half day environmental/community based stewardship project for a local non-profit.

Global Knowledge – The group will learn about relevant global and local issues centred on environmental and sustainable practices, international politics, cultural diversity and leadership principles.

Practical Skills – Youth will become more competent with camping skills, navigation, decision-making, and life skills.

Vision and Values – Participants will spend time reflecting upon the experience and write a vision letter of what they hope to accomplish. All youth will learn about the five Fireside leadership values: Trust, Respect, Responsibility, Commitment, and Perseverance.

International Leadership Program Curriculum

The fundamental elements of the International Leadership Expedition are integral to providing successful and quality learning experiences for all our youth. The program focuses on the following three fundamental learning areas:

Individual & Group Fundamentals

Acknowledgement of mentors, family and friends
Solo experience
Write a Vision letter
Community/Environmental stewardship projects
Full value leadership contract
Review the historical significance of the communities the group will visit during their road trip
Co-operative team building activities

Leadership Fundamentals

Definition & reference points of leadership - what is leadership and how is it referred to by others
Leadership theories and philosophy
Character & styles of leadership
Ethics & values - the principles of leadership
Creativity & design
Problem solving & challenge building
Learning and teaching techniques
Team building sessions
Communication & creativity
Practical application – Environmental stewardship exercise

Wilderness Fundamentals

Campsite management & selection
Minimum impact camping instruction
Outdoor cooking and food
Wilderness risk management essentials
Basic map, compass and navigation training
Hiking & backpacking sessions
Basic wilderness first aid & emergency exiting
Basic survival training (what to do when you are in trouble)
Plant and wildlife identification
Shelter & fire building

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Quest International - Tentative Trip Plan - BC

Please note that this trip plan may change.

Day 1: Vancouver/Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Arrivals between 11am to 6pm (Vancouver International Airport)
Check-in and program orientation
Welcome Ceremony and dinner at Fireside Lodge
Tour of Fireside Lodge
Email and phone call home
"Meet and Greet" with staff and youth group
Mountain Top activity
Youth hangout and group building activity

Day 2: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Review meal preparations & cooking 101
Leadership Discussion Question: What is leadership? Who are your leaders? What are the characteristics of a leader? Why is leadership important?
Animal Aware: What to do when you see an animal (bears, cougars and raccoons)
Overview of program goals and objectives, review safety and emergency procedures and full value agreement
Journal (video and/or written)
Tour Whistler Village and 2010 Olympic sites
Swim test (lake swim)
Team building activities
Barbeque dinner at Fireside Lodge

Day 3: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Early morning hike
Learning and preparing for a hike
Hike to Rainbow Lake
Individual and group goal setting
Assignment of staff instructors to youth participants
Team building activities
Discussion: Understanding the 5 pillars of Fireside leadership

Day 4: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Morning yoga/stretch
Problem solving & challenge building activity (scavenger hunt)
Challenge By Choice Policy
Hike Joffre Lakes
Swim at Whistler Recreation Centre
Movie Night and resting sore legs

Day 5: Camp Fircom, Gambier Island

Early wake-up and pack up
Head to Squamish and hike Chief
Grocery shopping challenge
Depart for Gambier Island
Introduction to Camp Fircom (tour, community meeting, expectations and move into tepees)
Campfire activity and SMORES

Day 6 - 14: Camp Fircom, Gambier Island

Participate in archery, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, farming, kayaking and canoe certifications, orienteering and more

Swim test and lessons if needed

Overnight canoe and hiking expeditions

Eco-Stewardship Project – full day working on an organic farm

Community Project – building a seed barn

Overnight canoe trip and hike

Solo experience
Outdoor International Leadership Skills Training Session:
- Shelter Building
  - How to build shelters with debris on the ground
  - How to make your shelter waterproof
- Rural and Wilderness Orienteering Course
  - How to read a map
  - How to use a compass
  - How to read the land
  - What to do when you are lost
- Animals and Bugs
  - What animals and bugs to be mindful of

Day 15: Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, Sunshine Coast Region

Pack up and depart for Langdale, Sunshine Coast
Set up camp at Porpoise Bay
Learning about cobb building and alternative low impact shelter building
Visit Gibsons and Robert’s Creek
Leadership Teams lead cooking and evening program

Day 16: Saltery Bay Provincial, Sunshine Coast Region

Visit Powell River
Prepare overnight hike
Vision letters submitted
Relax

Day 17 - 19: Saltery Bay Provincial, Sunshine Coast Region

Depart for Saltery Bay Loop hike
Group led hike
Possibly depart for Vancouver dependent of hiking and timing

Day 20: Vancouver (Accommodation: TBA)

Early departure for Vancouver
Site seeing, shopping and graduation dinner
Special evening activity

Day 21: Vancouver

Early departure
Fly home