Outdoor Adventure Programs offer the best outdoor education experience in the city. Spend quality time and learn a new skill that will stay with you and your class for the rest of your lives.
We offer programs for school groups from kindergarten through Grade 12. Join our fully qualified program leaders in an outdoor adventure. All equipment is provided. Students will find some balance in their lives by enjoying nature in Edmonton's beautiful River Valley.
Outdoor School and Group Programs
Note: for high school programs (Grade 10-12) tax is not included in the fee.
Bull's eye! Learn about the equipment and discover the basics of archery, while practicing aim and letting some arrows fly! Archery programs all come with a bonus of an Initiatives program!
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: May-October
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 15 Students: $346
- 16-30 Students: $532
Location: Victoria Park Oval
Try out the groomed tracks at one of our cross-country skiing sites. This program focuses on safety and fun! Learn new skills while you play ski-friendly games with our instructors.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: October-April
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 12 students: $426
- 13-24 students: $567
- 25-36 students: $716
Locations:
- Victoria Golf Driving Range
- Gold Bar Park (Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11)
Get on a bike, strap on a helmet and follow our instructors to explore the bike trails of Edmonton's river valley! Learn about equipment sizing, bike maintenance and trail safety while improving your cycling skills.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 30 students: $540
- 31+ students: $681
Location:
- Gold Bar Park (Grades 10-12 / Ages 15-18)
- Kinsmen Park (Grades 7-12 / Ages 12-18)
- Rundle Park (Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11)
Increase your confidence on a bike at a learner-friendly site. We provide bikes, helmets and optional training wheels for young riders. Our instructors focus on safety and fun in this experience-based program.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 30 students: $540
- 31+ students: $681
Location: Rundle Park
Learn how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and recreation! We teach the practical uses of GPS, a basic understanding of coordinate systems and navigational techniques using handheld GPS devices.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 12 students: $369
- 13-24 students: $510
- 25-36 students: $651
Location:
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Ice bikes offer a safe, stable alternative for all ages and skill levels. If you’re not a strong skater, you can still join in and have fun on the ice.
Picture a bicycle, where the front wheel has been replaced with skates and the back wheel is surrounded by skates. With a wide base, you don't even have to balance. Just pedal and steer as if you're riding a normal bike. Ice bikes are single-speed. To brake, pedal backwards.
Pair this program with Kicksledding to accommodate larger groups.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Group Size* / Fees:
- 24 Students $567
- 32 Students $716
Location: Laurier Park Ice Oval
* Maximum group size 32 students (in combination with kicksledding)
Build an understanding of group communication and teamwork by facing challenges and problem-solving activities as a group.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 15 students: $384
- 16-30 students: $525
- 31-45 students: $666
Location:
- Victoria Park Oval
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Discover the traditional mode of winter transportation that millions of Scandinavians love - kicksledding! Experience Edmonton’s River Valley Parks through a new perspective while travelling alone or with a partner sitting up front.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Availability: December - March (snow condition dependent)
Group Size / Fees: Up to 30 students: $567
Location: Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Try out longboarding at Rundle Park and learn about balance, turning techniques and safety. Once you have learned the essentials, we will head out and explore the trails in Edmonton’s River Valley in a whole new way!
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: April-October
Group Size / Fees: Up to 30 students: $570
Location: Rundle Park
Learn to find your way! Acquire navigation skills including map reading and compass work.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees: Up to 36 students: $510
Mobile Program:
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Learn survival and camping skills such as shelter building, fire building and knife safety. Ask us about outdoor cooking opportunities including bannock.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 15 students: $384
- 16-30 students: $525
- 31-45 students: $666
Location:
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
- Northeast River Valley Park (September - December only)
Experience first-hand how animals survive and thrive! This classic game is a fantastic demonstration of the dynamics of a food chain and animal survival techniques.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: Year-round
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 15 students: $361
- 16-30 students: $502
- 31-45 students: $643
Location:
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
- Northeast River Valley Park (September to December only)
Learn how to travel using Canada's traditional mode of transportation! See classic beavertail style snowshoes, play games and experience a winter landscape through a new perspective. Great for younger participants and families.
We also have aluminum snowshoes to try out for ages 12 to adult. Ask about booking these for your group.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: December-March
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 24 students: $567
- 25-36 students: $716
Locations:
- Rundle Park
- Alfred H. Savage Centre (Whitemud Park North)
Learn the importance of teamwork and communication as you canoe in pairs. Basic strokes, safety and fun will be emphasized. All instructors are Paddle Canada certified.
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Available: May-October
Group Size / Fees:
- Up to 10 students: $369
- 11-20 students: $510
- 21-30 students: $658
- 31-40 students: $800
Location: Hermitage Park
Welcome to Outdoor Adventure School and Group Programs
Explore, learn and engage with Outdoor Adventure Programs. Please review all information on what to expect, what to wear, what to bring and cancellations, prior to attending one of the programs.
Our Staff
As program instructors, all Outdoor Adventure Program staff members are dedicated to providing an enjoyable program experience for the group, with an emphasis on safety and risk management. All staff members are First Aid and CPR certified, and meet or exceed industry standards for instructor certification and training.
Our Equipment
We provide all equipment for activities. You are welcome to bring your own helmet for biking programs. Please do not bring your own bike. All equipment will be checked by our staff to ensure it is safe to use in our programs. Please let us know if we can provide any adapted equipment for participants with diverse abilities.
What to Wear
- Dress in layers. A base layer that will wick moisture away from the skin, a mid layer that will provide insulation, and a waterproof outer layer to keep you dry.
- Base and mid layers should be made of a synthetic wicking fabric or wool, which are fabrics that will pull moisture away from the skin. Cotton fabrics are a poor choice.
- Warm socks, mitts and toques are a must!
- Wear warmer clothing for low-energy programs such as Outdoor Skills, and less warm, more breathable clothing for high-energy programs such as Cross Country Skiing.
- Be ready for the weather! Bring rain gear if needed, or a hat and sunscreen
- Always bring a water bottle
- Bring a backpack for small personal items
- For all water sport activities, wear clothing, including shoes, that can get wet
What to Expect
A few days before the date of the program, you will be contacted by a member of the Outdoor Adventure Programs who will confirm the details of your upcoming program. Please let them know if there have been any changes to your program, particularly times or group number changes.
Group supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their participants are dressed appropriately and prepared to be outside.
It is expected that the teacher/group supervisor will maintain responsibility for the discipline and control of their group, and that they participate fully in all aspects the program.
In addition to the Outdoor Adventure Program staff leading the program, we recommend a 1:15 teacher to student ratio for grades 4-12 and a 1:5 teacher to student ratio for grades K-3.
Cancellations
Notice of cancellation is required via email to cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca.
Notice
Cancellations with 8-29 days notice will be charged 50% of the program fee, unless the cancellation can be filled by a waitlisted group. Cancellations with less than 7 days notice will be charged the full program fee. If you are canceling a program with less than 24 hours notice, please call 780-983-4387.
Weather
Programs run rain or shine. In the event of unfavourable weather you must call 780-983-4387 or email cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca to reschedule or cancel your program. Programs cancelled due to severe weather conditions and rescheduled within the current or upcoming school year fall term (Sept-Nov) will not be charged a cancellation fee.
Outdoor Adventure Programs reserve the right to cancel a program at any time. Cancellations made due to weather do not incur administration fees.
Contact Us
Outdoor School and Group Bookings
Email cms.outdoorprograms@edmonton.ca
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311