World Bound Youth: Wild Roots Canada (BC/Yukon)

Join our 20th Anniversary and unleash the wild within!

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we’re introducing our new approach to expeditions and taking youth to our favourite places in Canada.  This is our invitation to Canadian and international youth to sign up for training in backcountry expeditions, paddling rivers and oceans, leadership, climate change, cultural education, outdoor skills, and hiking.

Canada is more than hockey and maple syrup. What defines Canada is its stunning, sweeping landscapes and the dynamic character of the people who call it home. Join World Bound: Wild Roots Canada and embark on a multi-week journey across Canada’s most iconic and untouched wilderness. From the lush, endless rainforests of British Columbia to the expansive, untamed valleys and tundras of the Yukon, our World Bound: Wild Roots Canada course is a life-shaping experience focusing on climate and cultural education, Indigenous and local perspectives, outdoor leadership skills training, and expedition travel.

Are you ready?

Information Package
Packing List

DATES
July 02 - July 22, 2025 (21 days)
July 30 –August 19, 2025 (21 days)

AGES
13–18 (co-ed)

LOCATIONS
BC Locations: Vancouver, Sechelt
Yukon Locations: Whitehorse, Carmacks, Yukon/Teslin Rivers

PRICES (CAD)
July Course: $3,799.00 + GST
August Course: $4,199.00 + GST
Non-refundable Deposit for both: $1000.00 CAD + GST

Includes:
– 24/7 instruction/support and pre-course check-in
– Return flight (Vancouver – Whitehorse)
– Accommodation (tent and hostel) and meals
– Canoes, PFDs, and canoe skill training
– Ground transportation
– World Bound Curriculum workshops
– World Bound Certificate of Completion and T-shirt
– Post-course follow-up

Does not include: Transportation costs outside of the above, Vancouver Airport pick-up and drop-off outside of the preferred arrival and departure times, medical insurance, and anything not mentioned above.

More info: office@firesideadventures.ca

The Adventure at a Glance

We begin this adventure surrounded by the glass towers of Vancouver before heading to the famous Sunshine Coast, where we’ll build our canoe and outdoor skills while exploring the coastal temperate rainforests. The Sunshine Coast is Fireside’s home base location as it offers incredible paddling, hiking, foraging, and camping. After taking in the best of Vancouver and Sunshine Coast

Then, we head north to Whitehorse as we begin an epic canoe trip down the Teslin and Yukon Rivers. These rivers will bring us into contact with the ruins of the Gold Rush, sweep us through landscapes that feel larger than life, allow us to encounter iconic Canadian wildlife, and - most importantly - give us the opportunity to connect with and honour the knowledge and traditions the Indigenous people and their home that we travel through. 

Experiences you won’t want to miss:

• Follow the wake of history during a back-country canoe journey down the Yukon and Teslin Rivers that have carried Indigenous nations and gold prospectors on their water

• Canoe through bioluminescent water in the Sechelt Inlet

• Safely encounter wildlife you’ve only seen on TV, like orca whales, moose, seals, bears, and so much more

• Become more competent in the outdoors by learning critical outdoor skills like camp set-up, outdoor cooking, plant and animal identification, and Leave-No-Trace principles

• Connect with ancient Indigenous cultures such as the coastal Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil̓wat7úl, as well as the Yukon’s Northern Indigenous communities

• Experience endless day and find out why the Yukon is called ‘the Land of the Midnight Sun’

• See first-hand the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, river erosion, and the ‘drunken forests’ that mark melting permafrost

• Immerse yourselves in Canadian arts and culture through the stories, songs, and artwork of the Yukoners and British Columbians

Sechelt Inlet

Sechelt Inlet, nestled along BC’s Sunshine Coast, is a pristine marine sanctuary celebrated for its unspoiled coastal beauty. This tranquil inlet boasts serene waters, old-growth rainforests, and a thriving marine ecosystem. Canoe through secluded coves, hike along forested shores, and witness the wonders of its untouched water wonderland.

Teslin and Yukon Rivers

The most majestic and historic watercourse in Canada, the Yukon River winds through remote and truly untamed wilderness. Along its meandering path, you'll encounter sweeping landscapes, abundant wildlife, and some of the most ancient pieces of this land’s history.

Whitehorse and Dawson City

The two defining cities of the Yukon, both Whitehorse and Dawson City are remnants of the Gold Rush that have become synonymous with Canada’s True North. Whitehorse and Dawson City have fascinating histories and thriving cultures that make for a one-of-a-kind wild urban experience.

Your World Bound Mission: Become a Climate Adventurer

The fight against climate change is a global one, so a climate activist must become comfortable venturing into new environments, integrating with local cultures, and learning the languages and traditions of the people they meet. Both British Columbia and the Yukon are legendary for their natural beauty, being cultural and artistic hotspots, and also a long history of resource extraction.

During this course, youths will learn to navigate canoes through vast Canadian wilderness, lead wilderness expeditions, and encounter Canada’s complex relationship with the natural world. Along the way, they’ll spend time meeting British Columbian and Northern Indigenous communities, learning wilderness skills, and how to navigate an increasingly complex world, all while unplugging in some of the greatest outdoor spaces the world has to offer. Our Climate Adventurers will return home with the tools they need for their journey as leaders of the future

Pillar 1: Integrating Climate Change Principles and Perspectives

• Two-eyed Seeing: Combine Western science and Indigenous climate science to create a holistic understanding of climate change

• Local/Regional: Compare southern British Columbian and northern Yukon experiences of climate change

• Rural-urban: Learn what both urban and rural communities are doing to adapt to climat

Pillar 2: Exploring Real-world Environments

• Ocean and coastal environments: The Sunshine Coast/Sechelt Inlet

• River environments: The Yukon and Teslin Rivers

• Urban environments: Whitehorse and Dawson City

Pillar 3: Volunteering and Connecting within Communities

• Connect with BC’s coastal Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Yukon’s Northern Indigenous communities

• Meet local activists, artisans, and entrepreneurs in Vancouver and Whitehorse

• Help preserve nature through litter clean-up and Leave-No-Trace practices

Pillar 4: Strengthening Life, Social, and Leadership Skills

• Wilderness survival skills (ie. camp set-up, fire-building, plant and animal identification, navigation)

• Leave-No-Trace principles

• Outdoor leadership and teamwork skills through canoeing, camp maintenance, and outdoor meal preparation

• Canoe paddle and safety skills

• Expressive arts development

• Social-emotional learning and reflection through journalling and an intensive 24-hour solo experience

Pillar 5: Sustaining Climate Action through Solution-focused Approaches

• Membership in the World Bound Youth: Climate Ambassador community

• Year-round participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (which supports climate action)

• Membership in the Vancouver Outdoor School Youth Network

• Internships as a climate ambassador and mentor in local sustainable businesses and future expeditions