Where young explorers become confident outdoor leaders

A place of unparalleled beauty, the Yukon welcomes youth from all walks of life to share in its grand rivers, endless wilderness, incredible people, and timeless stories. With Fireside Adventures, everyone has their own place in this unique outdoor leadership journey in Canada’s True North.

Information Package
Packing List

DATES (18 days)
July  05 – Jul 22, 2025 (Johnson’s Crossing to Dawson City)
Click here for 12-day version

LOCATIONS
Whitehorse, Yukon River, Carmacks, Dawson City

AGES
13–18 (co-ed)

PRICES (CAD)*
Regular price: $3,999 + GST
Crescent registrant price: $3,899 + GST (save $100)
*Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 CAD + GST

Includes: Return flight (Vancouver–Whitehorse), all ground transportation, meals, canoes, paddles, PFDs, group camping gear (incl. tents), pre-trip check-in

More info: office@firesideadventures.ca

River Briefing

• This paddle trip is 792km long, about twice the length of the Yukon Explorer Classic Edition.

• This is the longest stretch possible of the Yukon River within the Canadian Border. It includes the Teslin River (Johnson’s Crossing–Hootalinqua) and Yukon River (Hootalinqua–Dawson) in one continuous stretch.

• The river averages about 10km/h but the river speeds up, slows down and changes size depending on where you are. While the water is beginner-friendly, be prepared to paddle all day most days as the 18-day timeframe doesn’t leave time to lollygag around. But hey… there’s no portaging!

• One major reason to select this trip over the shorter version(s) is that you really get to watch the landscape change as the river flows north. The Teslin flows into the Yukon, widening and changing colour. Then the Yukon Flows into the White River, becoming even bigger with many islands and beautiful silt. The trees become smaller, the mountains craggier and the further you go… the quieter it is and the more wildlife you will likely spot. If you have time to do the full trip… do it. People who do the half trip and fall in love with the river will regret not seeing more.

What’s so special about Yukon Explorer?

• Explore the ruins of the Gold Rush: travel back through time and explore the ruins of dozens of mining camps, settlements, and shipwrecks from the legendary Klondike Gold Rush.

• Learn from Indigenous culture: Understand what it means to be in a place where Indigenous culture and governance are thriving. Did you know that 11 of 14 First Nations in the Yukon are self-governing?

• Where navigation gets real: Use a beautiful hand-drawn map that details everything from log jams to old forest fire burns. There’s no better way to learn how to read a map and landscape.

• Choose your own adventure: we have the freedom to camp virtually anywhere along the river. Feel the satisfaction of choosing a great spot to pitch camp and cook over the campfire with your new friends

• Yep - we’re doing a solo experience! Supervised by your guides, you will share an iconic Fireside experience. Find challenge and reconnection during 12 hours of monitored solitude - your only company the sound of the wind in the trees and the river in the reeds.

• Encounter truly wild wildlife: Watch wide-eyed as your canoe silently glides past an enormous moose, or perhaps lock eyes with a solitary eagle on the hunt. In the Yukon, there are more moose than people. A lot more!

Some of last year’s adventurers setting off on their journey!

True leaders are born in the Canadian wilderness with Fireside Adventures

• Outdoor Leadership “Soft Skills” Training: Guided by our Fireside Pillars (Independence, Community, Knowledge, Experience, and Vision), define what leadership means to you and hold yourself accountable. When you’re ready, your instructors and peers will vote for you to receive the traditional Fireside Adventures leadership bracelet.

• Expedition “Hard Skills”: Challenge yourself with a canoe expedition style of adventuring, including canoe manoeuvres, risk management, and wildlife safety. These experiences develop universal life skills like perseverance and problem-solving, not to mention a love for nature. When you learn ‘em in the great Canadian North, you won’t forget!

• Character-building & Resilience: Spending time in nature brings challenges but also opportunities for peace, reflection, and connection. This is the unbroken space and time you need to foster relationships, trust, and personal transformation through a mix of one-on-one mentorship, daily video/audio journaling, and group dialogues.

• Increase self-knowledge: During your time in the wilderness, clarify your personal values, strengthen your decision-making skills, and learn how to set and achieve short-term and long-term goals.

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: Earn your Bronze, Silver, or Gold with us. Here’s how.

Becoming one with the Yukon River to cool off!

A Fireside instructor teaching the learners how to rescue a canoe.

Barnsy, Yukon Explorer 2022

“One night at Carmacks, I was showing a few campers how to take long-exposure night photos - it was late August so the sky was dark. Then one of the campers started yelling for me to come quickly. I ran over - not sure what was the matter - and to my surprise, he had captured a photo of the Aurora. We couldn’t see it with the naked eye - but the camera could capture it on 1/30th exposure. Then, before our eyes, the Aurora started shining brightly and dancing above us. That photo is framed on my wall - and theirs.”

Dani Mikolela, Yukon Explorer 2021

“Yukon Explorer was my first experience with Fireside as a camper. I completed my solo experience while challenging myself to fast and build my own shelter. Since then I’ve become a Junior staff… Fireside has helped me with my social skills and my connection with nature. As an instructor, I have helped Barnsy develop his parkour program over the past two years.”

This is a video that Barnsy took while on expedition on the Yukon River in 2021!