OUR IMPACT - HOW WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORLD

We believe our work is impactful. While it may be challenging to reliably count memories made, smiles across faces, feelings of accomplishment, epiphanies had during reflective moments or seeds of self-awareness planted, what we can do is listen to feedback about personal and community learning outcomes. We can listen to the laughter pouring out of the cabins at night. We can look at the data that is available to us based on photos, journal entries, trip logbooks and conversations with students, parents, educators and our instructor team. We can gain insights based on workshop exchanges, and we can even see the value in the silent, reflective moments. ALIVE exists to help people understand that success is not what you have, but who you are at your core, and how you share your essence and energy with the world. 

OVER 20 YEARS OF...

Taking time for reflection is a key component of all ALIVE programs. Looking inwards allows people to build self-awareness and self-regulation. It allows clarity of values, understanding of personal strengths, and development of confidence.

Reflection

"Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see. Reflection is one of the most underused, yet powerful tools for success."
Bringing together hundreds of educators from across Canada and around the world annually.

ALIVE Instructor Community

The true essence and foundation of ALIVE is our instructor community. Our facilitators, educators, and guides are role models who genuinely care to help students learn to take responsibility, meet challenges, feel accomplished, reflect, and have fun. For more than 20 years over 800 inspiring instructors have helped us empower young people.

ALIVE Outdoors began as a small canoe tripping company back in 2000, and since that time we have been fortunate to work with over 90,000 students and educators across the experiential education field.

Over 1600 Canoe Trips launched in the past 21 years.

Meals Cooked

Backcountry Cooking

Menu planning. Fire building. Simple recipes. Tasty meals at the end of long days. Appreciation of time together by the fire.

Navigation Skills

Navigation Skills

Learning to read a map, to set goals, to understand the destination and how to get there safely is a key life skill that builds confidence.

Portaging

Portaging

Carrying only what you need with you. Working together as a group. Feeling fit and accomplished.

Over 1600 Canoe Trips launched in the past 21 years.

Meals Cooked

Backcountry Cooking

Menu planning. Fire building. Simple recipes. Tasty meals at the end of long days. Appreciation of time together by the fire.

Navigation Skills

Navigation Skills

Learning to read a map, to set goals, to understand the destination and how to get there safely is a key life skill that builds confidence.

20,000 Trees Planted in Honour of our 20th Anniversary

Over 20,000 Trees Planted for our 20th Anniversary

With the generous support of our ALIVE community, we were able to raise over $22,000 in honour of our 20th year. This money went to GrandTrees Climate Solutions to plant a tree for every dollar raised. As we all know, creating healthy ecosystems is an effective way to capture CO2 and mitigate climate change effects. Planting trees felt very in line with our mission of helping create a better world.

"I can honestly say that the ALIVE program has completely changed my life. I am where I am because of the lessons and values I have learned at ALIVE. It saved my life, it helped me form my identity, it awoke passions inside of me that I never knew I had. It helped me to formulate the image of the person that I want to be and what I want to do with my life."

SMC Graduate

Conquering Fears

It's OK to Be Scared

If we stay in our comfort zone, we never fulfill our potential. Setting goals. Moving through fears. Learning that "failures" are simply life lessons. Learning to listen to ourselves. Developing new skills. Broadening growth mindsets. These are critical elements to a meaningful and content life.

Wildlife viewings, fears conquered and shooting stars wished upon: Too many to count.

Appreciating Beauty

Embrace All Living Creatures

Having respect and appreciation for animals makes us better humans.

Look Up

Infinite Stars

We are often so busy looking down at our phones that we forget to look up. The stars remind us we are small and that there is beauty even in the the darkness.

“When you’re comfortable and content with who you are, the voices of others who try and define, control or direct you are not important.”

Leap of Faith

Self-Belief over Self-Doubt

ALIVE programs help young people acknowledge their strengths and deepen their understanding that in many ways, courage is one of the most important ingredients required to live an authentic life.

The relationship between teachers and their students is paramount to effective learning. It's always such a privilege to witness so many educators deepening their connection with their students while on an ALIVE program. Their willingness to be vulnerable, supportive, caring and present year after year is remarkable.

Goal Setting

Learning to Focus

We are dedicated to helping young people learn to focus and aim towards their goals.

Bullseye

Reaching Goals

Reaching the top of the high ropes, nailing a bullseye, building a fire, getting to the end of a portage, many goals are reached during ALIVE programs.

We have been fortunate to host schools from Colombia, Korea, Singapore and the USA annually. Sharing the beauty of Canada with students from abroad is always incredibly rewarding.

Branksome Hall Asia, Korea

BHA visits Canada Annually

Ever since Branksome Hall Asia was founded in 2012, their grade 9 class has travelled to Canada. We have had the privilege of sharing the Canadian wilderness with them, and helping them connect to their inner strengths.

International Schools Visit Canada

Colegio Tilatá, Bogotá, Colombia

Photos from Spring 2023

View The Tilatá Photo Album

We have been fortunate to host schools from Colombia, Korea, Singapore and the USA annually. Sharing the beauty of Canada with students from abroad is always incredibly rewarding.

Branksome Hall Asia, Korea

BHA visits Canada Annually

Ever since Branksome Hall Asia was founded in 2012, their grade 9 class has travelled to Canada. We have had the privilege of sharing the Canadian wilderness with them, and helping them connect to their inner strengths.

International Schools Visit Canada

Colegio Tilatá, Bogotá, Colombia

Photos from Spring 2019

View The Tilatá Photo Album

Witnessing Smiles

Peace

and connection begins with a smile.

Encouraging Joy

Happiness

is hard to measure, but we sure see a lot of smiles, and hear a lot of laughter and singing on our programs.

We have no idea how many bugs have been examined, how many socks have been lost, the number of stuffed animals that have gone out on canoe trips, or how many memories have been made, but we know that if we were to add all of these together it would be a really big number.

Bugs Examined

Bugs Offer More than Bites

From metamorphosis, to pollination, to life cycles and the role insects play in nature, there is much to learn from bugs.

Lost Socks

Lost & Found Lessons

Our ALIVE trips are often an opportunity to teach young people independence. Taking care of their things is part of self-responsibility and self-care.

Witnessing Smiles

Peace

and connection begins with a smile.

Encouraging Joy

Happiness

is hard to measure, but we sure see a lot of smiles, and hear a lot of laughter and singing on our programs.

We have no idea how many bugs have been examined, how many socks have been lost, the number of stuffed animals that have gone out on canoe trips, or how many memories have been made, but we know that if we were add all of these together it would be a really big number.

Bugs Examined

Bugs Offer More than Bites

From metamorphosis, to pollination, to life cycles and the role insects play in nature, there is much to learn from bugs.

Lost Socks

Lost & Found Lessons

Our ALIVE trips are often an opportunity to teach young people independence. Taking care of their things is part of self-responsibility and self-care.

Memories

Creating Memories

We often never know in the moment when memories are being made. We often hear that students talk about their ALIVE programs at their Graduations time and time again.

Stuffies To Go on Canoe Trip

Comfort from Home

One Grade 11 student told us, "You are never too old for a teddy bear." Whether they are lying on bunk beds, or traipsed across portages, stuffed animals are always welcome.

Memories

Creating Memories

We often never know in the moment when memories are being made. We often hear that students talk about their ALIVE programs at their Graduations time and time again.

Stuffies To Go on Canoe Trip

Comfort from Home

One Grade 11 student told us, "You are never too old for a teddy bear." Whether they are lying on bunk beds, or traipsed across portages, stuffed animals are always welcome.

The Value of Disconnecting

We have always been strong believers that getting away from our screens and technology was good for all of us. The quote that says, "There is no wifi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection," carries great truth with it.
We have always asked students to "unplug" from their devices on our ALIVE programs and we will continue to do so.  We recognize that this request causes angst at the beginning, but after a few days, countless students tell us how refreshing it is to be present without their tech gadgets.

 “The time I spent with ALIVE is so different from the classroom. I think it should be mandatory in every school because it really gives us all a chance to reflect upon ourselves, step away from our phones, texts, learn how to be with people and learn to enjoy the company of your community as a school; without hiding behind an electronic device.” 

Graduate, Holy Name of Mary College School

The Value of Disconnecting

We have always been strong believers that getting away from our screens and technology was good for all of us. The quote that says, "There is no wifi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection," carries great truth with it.
We have always asked students to "unplug" from their devices on our ALIVE programs and we will continue to do so.  We recognize that this request causes angst at the beginning, but after a few days, countless students tell us how refreshing it is to be present without their tech gadgets.

 “The time I spent with ALIVE is so different from the classroom. I think it should be mandatory in every school because it really gives us all a chance to reflect upon ourselves, step away from our phones, texts, learn how be with people and learn to enjoy the company of your community as a school; without hiding behind an electronic device.” 

Graduate, Holy Name of Mary College School

“Our trip to The Kingdom of Bhutan with ALIVE was like no other. We were immersed in a unique culture of prayer wheels and flags, temples and dzongs, breath- taking landscapes, traditional and honoured beliefs, and beautiful, generous people. Our group took away with them a new found inner peace from a country where success is not measured in worldly goods but more in spiritual well-being, self-reflection and mindfulness. We were all truly inspired and forever changed.” 

Educator- St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School

2017, 2019, 2023 & 2024

We have taken over 100 people to Bhutan and will continue to return in the years to come to share the magic of this tiny Himalayan Kingdom.

Endless Lessons to Embrace

We carefully chose Bhutan as a destination for an ALIVE trip because their values align so greatly with ours.

Experiential PD Sessions

offer educators a chance to move away from their screens, and to get outside together.

Positive Psychology

places an emphasis on what is going well in our lives, rather than what is going wrong. It's a focus on strengths rather than weaknesses. It leads us to a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

Workshops rooted in Positive Psychology principles have been woven throughout the fabric of our ALIVE programs for over the last 14 years. They cover a variety of topics aimed at helping young people understand how they can use their strengths and sense of self awareness to navigate the headwinds of life. Over 100 workshops are delivered annually while at camp, at school, or virtually. Experiential professional development workshops for educators are also offered.

Experiential PD Sessions

offer educators a chance to move away from their screens, and to get outside together.

Positive Psychology

places an emphasis on what is going well in our lives, rather than what is going wrong. It's a focus on strengths rather than weaknesses. It leads us to a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

Workshops rooted in Positive Psychology principles have been woven throughout the fabric of our ALIVE programs for over the last 14 years. They cover a variety of topics aimed at helping young people understand how they can use their strengths and sense of self awareness to navigate the headwinds of life. Over 100 workshops are delivered annually while at camp, at school, or virtually. Experiential professional development workshops for educators are also offered.