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World Bound Adventures: Fiji
TABU SORO: NEVER GIVE UP
Join us on a transformative 20-day youth leadership journey through the heart of Fiji—a land known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, endless oceanscapes, and unmatched hospitality.
This is more than just a trip. It’s a unique opportunity to dive deep into leadership development, climate change education, hands-on community engagement, and unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Fiji is the perfect backdrop for young people to explore and grow. With its welcoming communities, rich traditions, and strong connection to land and sea, participants will gain not only knowledge and skills but also a deeper understanding of what it means to belong, to lead, and to live with purpose.
Along the way, you’ll:
Explore stunning island landscapes and coral reefs
Take part in meaningful cultural exchanges with local Fijian communities
Learn from passionate mentors and Indigenous knowledge keepers
Build resilience, confidence, and leadership skills
Form friendships and memories that will last a lifetime
But there is even more to be found in Fiji than natural beauty and adventure…
DATES: Jul 27 – Aug 15, 2025 (flight departs July 25 from Vancouver)
LOCATIONS: Nadi, Fiji
AGES: 13–18 (co-ed)*
*Also available for 18+. Contact us if interested.
PRICES (CAD)
Regular Price: $8829.00*
*Prices include flights to and from Fiji (return trip from Vancouver only)
Includes:
– Return flight Vancouver to Fiji and flight coordination
– Pre-course check-in (zoom conference with attendees)
– Direct contact with our Duke of Edinburgh Award Centre
– 24/7 instruction & support by Fireside staff
– Most meals
– All accommodation (dorm, glamping, tenting, homestay)
– Private ground transportation
– Group camping equipment
– Admission into all activities based on itinerary
– Scuba Diving certification
– World Bound curriculum, World Bound Certificate of Completion, and t-shirt
Does not include: Flights to and from Vancouver, anything not mentioned above.
Packing List
More info: office@firesideadventures.ca
What truly defines Fiji?
Fiji is world-renowned for its philosophy of honouring happiness, finding contentment with life, and embracing one another as friends. With so much happening in the world, Fiji encourages you to slow down, put your phone away, and connect with the vibrant and welcoming spirit of everyday life. Fiji is a place where warmth isn’t only weather but radiates from the smiles and easy laughter of those who call it home. Thanks to our amazing partners, Fiji is also full of opportunities for meaningful place-based community projects for our World Bound to roll up their sleeves and experience sustainability and climate action first-hand.
Whether you're paddling through mangrove forests, cooking a traditional lovo meal, or engaging in powerful conversations around sustainability, this journey offers the kind of real-world education that can’t be found in a classroom.
Are you ready to discover Fiji—and discover yourself?
Photo: Kristen Kellogg / ATTA
Photo: Kristen Kellogg / ATTA
Photo: Kristen Kellogg / ATTA
Photo: Cédric Jean-Baptist / ATTA
Adventure Itinerary
Why This Experience Will Change You
This isn’t just a trip—it’s a life-shaping journey designed for young people hungry for adventure, purpose, and connection.
Here’s what makes it unforgettable:
Live and learn alongside Fijian communities, gaining deep cultural insight and building global friendships.
Adventure with impact through meaningful volunteer projects that contribute to sustainability and local resilience.
Challenge yourself during 5 days of remote island camping—disconnect to reconnect with what really matters.
Dive in—literally—with scuba lessons, daily swims, and guided snorkelling across vibrant reefs.
Train and grow through leadership workshops, climate change education, and experiential learning unlike anything in a classroom.
Explore more with hiking expeditions to highland villages, paddle boarding through mangroves, and rugby games with locals
Cook, dance, and celebrate Fijian-style through shared meals, traditional cooking lessons, and cultural performances with Fijian youth.
Photos (above): Our partners Suncoast Adventures
Photo: Kristen Kellogg / ATTA
Photo: Kristen Kellogg / ATTA
Meet your adventure family
Your leader, companion and connection to Fiji: Jeff Willis, founder of Fireside Adventures
Since 1991, I have developed and led camps and expeditions throughout Canada, Japan, Germany, Colombia, Ecuador, Yukon, Peru, Italy and the Arctic. My love of outdoor experiential education, years of experience in youth and family work, and passion for environmental education and social justice led me to create Fireside Adventures.
When I became a dad, I realized my kids did not have access to climate change education at school and/or summer camp, so I created the World Bound climate change expedition series while reworking our Explorer Series and introducing Fireside's Salty Express, Ocean to Mountains and Earth Roots experiences for school groups.
Your community, host and Fiji Base Camp: Jen and Koli Samuta, co-founders of Nanumi Au
Nanumi Au is an Eco Village located in Navutulevu, on the land of our Mataqali Natiliva community. We focus on building community and regenerating the land. We understand many want true adventure (outside of typical tourism, resorts and hotels) and to meet the locals so we work closely with our village and local businesses to create a unique, fun, authentic and eco-aware experience.
Being village-led and run, showcasing our way of living (in an organic way, not touristic or commercialized), building relationships, and exchanging ideas and experiences will result in pride and retention of our people and culture in the village. Hosting visitors like Gen Z Travels is a way of keeping our young people in the village and not losing them to employment that can otherwise only be found in the towns and cities.
True immersion in Fijian village life gives + returns perspective about the most simple, yet important things in life: community and nature.
Your ocean explorer and stewardship team: Suncoast Adventures
We revolve our business around the ocean, so we try to use more sustainable practices and approaches. We offer are fishing, spearfishing, snorkelling, dolphin watching, and explorations in one of Fiji's few Marine and Island protected parks. Our Team has 30 years of experience in Rakiraki exploring from the Ridge to Reef. In addition, our popular Catch and Cook adventure demonstrates our ancestors' way of feasting. It’s a healthy family affair with teamwork being the key component.
We are collaborating with Fireside Adventures to empower this generation to step outside the box of the digital world, improve their life skills and reconnect with that inner wild child. In Fiji, family is the cornerstone of society, weaving a strong sense of unity and support into the fabric of island life.
"Na Wasawasa Maravu e Sega ni Bulia na kaiwai"… A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor.
Your climate science & hiking experts: Marita & Matt, co-founders of Talanoa Treks
We are a dedicated hiking social enterprise partnered with four Indigenous (iTaukei) communities: Nabalesere, Navai, Naga and Nubutautau. Talanoa Treks was founded in 2013 and our first year was spent in extensive talanoa with each community to ensure that it was shaped to their aspirations. Talanoa means to tell stories and share wisdom. It conveys the ethos that travel, when done right, can be a respectful exchange of ideas and cultures, that transforms our understanding of ourselves and the place we are visiting.
We live in an age of noise and distractions. Travel has the power to be transformative. We know that Fireside Adventure Travel ensures that visitors are coming with an open mind and heart - ready to listen, learn and to talanoa :-)
Your Fiji Base Camp: Nanumi Au Eco-village
Nanumi Au translates to “Remember Me”, because everyone who leaves Fiji leaves with Fiji etched in their mind, soul and spirit
“Nanumi Au is an Eco Village located in Navutulevu, on the land of our Mataqali Natiliva community. We focus on building community and regenerating the land. We understand many want true adventure (outside of typical tourism, resorts and hotels) and to meet the locals so we work closely with our village and local businesses to create a unique, fun, authentic and eco-aware experience.”
Vinaka vaka levu,
Jennifer and Kolinio Samuta,
Co-founders of Nanumi Au Eco-village
Village activities at Nanumi Au include:
Hunting and gathering (Twice a week – including 1 market trip, 1 island trip) – for a ocean/paddock to plate experience BUT also this is what the men and women in the village do to feed their families (all seafood caught will be eaten during the week and excess shared with the village)
Traditional Fijian cooking experience (meals cooked daily by the village women in the communal kitchen and small lovo cooked every Friday night by the men, which provides a hands on experience – leads to the final celebratory LOVO FEAST)
Weaving classes (pandanus to mat)
Medicinal garden learnings
Udre Udre Cannibal chief tomb visit
Vuli meke (cultural dance lessons) – leads to the final celebratory MEKE NIGHT
Hike to Vodovodo
River and Mangrove forest tour by paddle board/kayak
LOVO FEAST + MEKE Night (Ceremony + celebration with the village)
Virtual tour: see for yourself
Too many great photos for one webpage! Take a look below to explore the amazing images Fiji provides. Note: some activities pictured in this album may not be part of your trip.
Our World Bound Climate Change Curriculum
World Bound: South Pacific is about connecting Fijian and South Pacific perspectives of leadership, culture, adventure, and climate change education for youth ready for something meaningful, intentional, and challenging.
No, we aren’t going to bombard them with dark and gloomy discussions of a climate change apocalypse. No, we aren’t going to give them fluffy affirmations and take them on a journey of false hope. We certainly aren’t going to bore them with international policies that have no relevance to their lives. What we’re going to do is give youth what they want and need: meaningful skill-building and leadership training from outdoor leaders and educators who will truly prepare them for real, hands-on climate activism.
We do this through our World Bound Curriculum, a set of place-based, outdoor-oriented educational modules that will inform this expedition. This curriculum is driven by our five World Bound Pillars, described below. For more detailed information about the curriculum, please visit our World Bound Curriculum page.
Photo: our partner Talanoa Treks
Pillar 1: Integrating Climate Change Principles and Perspectives (South Pacific)
Indigenous and Local Knowledge: Engage with a range of perspectives of the best of Fiji friends such as Talanoa Treks, Barefoot Scuba Diving. Namumi Au, Pacific Ark, and Sun Coast Adventures. This is a full immersive and experiential learning experience with various Fijian communities.
Intercultural: Fiji is one part of a complicated and integrated South Pacific region that is at the forefront of Climate Change and Cultural Education. Culture defines identity, community, and decision-making.
Conservation: Learning alongside educators, conservationists, and knowledge keepers of why conservation is one of the most important “tools” in the climate leadership toolbox.
Photo: Jeff Willis / Fireside Adventures
Pillar 2: Exploring Real-world Environments
Highlands environments: Fiji’s islands are home to many mountainous lands that have been transformed by humans and introduced species. We will hike through high peaks and dense forests, encountering the unique organisms of Fiji’s highlands.
Ocean environments: The South Pacific Ocean is home to an incredibly diverse variety of plant and animal species. This includes the Great Astrolabe Reef - one of the largest in the world - that will reshape your idea of the underwater world.
Island environments: Fiji is comprised of 333 islands spanning a huge area. Each island has its own cultural history and ecosystems, reflected in the villages and cities that have been built there.
Photo: Jeff Willis / Fireside Adventures
Pillar 3: Giving and Connecting within Communities
Learn traditions, language, and crafting skills directly from Fijian communities during a multi-day homestay experience
Give back while learning through participating in community-based reforestation and conservation projects.
Connect with youth both from Fiji and from around the world to build lifelong connections.
Photo: Nature Bro – John Surendra / Pacific Ark
Pillar 4: Strengthening Life, Social, and Leadership Skills
Wilderness exploration skills (navigation, hiking, snorkeling, camping, scuba diving)
Cooking skills
Sustainable, community-run agricultural practices
Language skills (Fijian)
Leadership skills (collaborative communication, team-building exercises, solo experience, and risk management)
Photo: Nature Bro – John Surendra / Pacific Ark
Pillar 5: Sustaining Climate Action through Solution-focused Approaches
Goal-setting and life-planning activities
Connection with sustainability activists, business owners, and more
Membership in the World Bound Adventures: Climate Ambassador community
Membership in the Vancouver Outdoor School Youth Network
Internships as a climate ambassador and mentor in local sustainable businesses and future expeditions
Photo: Nature Bro – John Surendra / Pacific Ark
