Below you will find detailed descriptions of the programs we offer and the activities available within each program. You have the option to book one type of program or have a custom program made with a mix of the different activities we offer.
Outdoor Adventure
Teambuilding and Leadership
Environmental Stewardship
Bilingual Outdoor Education
Outdoor Adventure
When you book an Outdoor Adventure Program with Camp Thunderbird, you are
asked to rank, in order of preference, the activities that you would like your group to
receive. The earlier you register, the more likely you are to receive the activities of
your choice.
Rock Climbing
Participants receive basic instruction in climbing safety, equipment, and techniques.
Qualified instructors engage participants in proper climbing preparation and
command sequences. Participants receive an opportunity to practice climbing in one
of our three climbing areas. Cougar Rock, located in main camp, has three climbs
varying in technical difficulty. Nicola Rock is located just less than a kilometer (20
minute hike) North-East of main camp. Nicola is slightly more challenging as it is
about 2-3 meters higher. There are two climbing areas at Nicola and both have two
courses. All climbs are on real rock face using similar equipment and providing a
similar lesson.
Archery
Our archery program allows participants the opportunity to learn about archery
safety and technique, and encourages personal improvement and development over
competition with other participants. Participants receive instruction and practice on
one of our three outdoor archery ranges and get a chance to use their new skills in
archery games.
Canoeing
In canoeing sessions, participants become familiar with parts of the canoe and the
paddle, water sport safety, and canoeing strokes. Besides the opportunity to
practice their paddling skills, participants have time to explore Glinz Lake and
examine the wildlife and natural wonders of the area.
Kayaking
Our kayaking program allows participants to learn about the parts of a kayak and
kayak paddle, water sport safety, and basic kayaking strokes and techniques.
Thunderbird hosts a fleet of both ocean and river boats to which participants have
access. During a kayaking session, participants are given the opportunity to develop
their paddling skills, and to explore Glinz Lake. No one is allowed to kayak at Camp
Thunderbird until s/he has demonstrated a wet exit (turn upside down in your kayak
and exit under the water). All program participants are given the opportunity to do
so before their kayaking session.
Swimming
Participants can enjoy the clear waters of Glinz Lake. Our waterfront area, including
three metre jump tower and slide, provides an excellent fresh water swimming
environment. Sign up for a swimming block or refresh in the morning with a Polar
Bear dip! All Thunderbird staff are certified with Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard
Service Award from the Royal Lifesaving Society.
Hiking
Thunderbird boasts nearly 1300 acres of forest that provides beautiful hiking routes
that range in difficulty. During a hiking session, participants learn about safe hiking,
preparing to go on a hike, and appropriate clothing and safety gear to have. As well,
participants learn about their natural surroundings, and are sure to experience the
creativity of Thunderbird staff who know a variety of trail games.
CampCraft
Campcraft is one of Thunderbird’s best-kept secrets. A campcraft session provides
participants with the opportunity to practice many of the necessary skills of an
extended wilderness experience. During campcraft sessions, participants learn about
and practice building fires and shelters, finding appropriate campsites, and engaging
in minimum trace camping techniques.
Orienteering
Orienteering is one of the world’s most popular competitive sports, requiring both an
understanding of the outdoors and the skills of orienteering, as well as a keen eye
for observation. At Thunderbird, a basic orienteering session provides participants
with the opportunity to learn about using a compass, and to practice their skills by
navigating through a basic orienteering course. An advanced course is also available
where participants complete a full formal orienteering course prepared in conjunction
with members of Canadian orienteering clubs.
(Advanced course available for Grade 7 and up)
Teambuilding & Leadership
When you book a Teambuilding & Leadership Program with Camp Thunderbird, we
will create a schedule of activities that offer a progression of initiatives. This program
can be customized to meet your group’s goals. This program is also available in
French (Spring season overnight programs only).
Teambuilding Activities
Teambuilding activities are group-based sessions that provide participants with the
opportunity to engage in various activities and challenges that encourage group
development, teamwork, and personal challenge. During a session, participants are
encouraged to think about and discuss concepts such as teamwork, co-operation,
and communication, and are challenged to push themselves to succeed as members
of a team. These begin with activities that easily create success for the group and
then grow into more challenging activities that may include the elements of the low
ropes course.
Low Ropes Course
The low ropes course offers a variety of challenge elements that encourage
participants to work together to achieve a specific goal. Participants have the
opportunity to take on leadership roles and work co-operatively in order to achieve
various levels of success. This course involves co-operative games, trust activities
and group initiative tasks in order to progress towards the various low ropes
elements.
High Ropes Course
Our High Ropes experience combines team focused activities to challenge the group
to achieve success through co-operation, challenge by choice, and skill acquisition.
The group may follow an adventure based sequence of co-operative games, trust
activities, initiative tasks, low ropes activities as a progression and a preparation for
their peak experience on the High Ropes Course.
Leadership Challenge/Workshops
With many resources and a lot of experience at their fingertips, let our staff plan a
custom program just for you and your group! A leadership challenge gets your
group outside, using outdoor skills and equipment to challenge the group to
problem-solve and work together to reach a goal. Sit back and listen to your
students/group members as they work through issues and respond to our instructors
debriefing questions.
Environmental Stewardship
In a time of increasing awareness and concern for the environment, Camp
Thunderbird has answered the call for education and action by developing a new
program that invites your students to be Stewards of the Environment.
The program fosters an appreciation for the natural world while educating
participants about topics such as our local eco-systems, bio-diversity, bio-indicators,
habitat fragmentation, ecological footprints, and the action we can take as
individuals, families, and schools to stop climate change.
All activities are played outside using the forest, streams, and natural ecosystems
and habitat. Programs are experiential in nature and all materials and staffing is
provided by Camp Thunderbird.
Animal Tracking
In this program, students will have the opportunity to explore the environment
around them in search of evidence of recent animal activity. By focusing student’s
attention on the intricate patterns of the forest, students will be able to recognize
what is, and what is not a track. Students will be encouraged to not only look for
tracks, but to think critically about the behavior and habitat of different species.
Habitat Fragmentation
This interactive game will allow students to experience firsthand the repercussions of
increasing human activity on the natural environment. Acting as bears who must
meet certain criteria to survive each year, an understanding of the impact of habitat
fragmentation on wildlife will be gained.
Mining and Me
This program provides an introduction to the use of minerals, as well as the impact
of mining on the natural environment. Students will not only learn about minerals
used in household items but, will also gain an appreciation for the environmental
repercussions of mining, including insight on acid rock drainage.
The Wonders of Wildflowers
Students will explore, through self-directed discovery, the natural environment.
Along with information to correctly identify wildflowers, flora and fauna will be
explored on a micro scale.
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water is everywhere! But that doesn’t mean it is unlimited. This series of games and
activities will introduce students to where water comes from, reducing water
consumption, and the use of water in manufacturing. Students will leave the session
with ideas to reduce their own water consumption.
What Are You Eating?
By exploring the concepts of local farming and food production in Canada, students
will gain a greater appreciation for where their food comes from and how food
production impacts the natural environment.
Sensory Nature Walk
This program diverges from a traditional nature hike by encouraging students to
experience the forest around them through all of their senses: touch, sight, smell
and sound.
Bilingual Outdoor Education
Our Outdoor Adventure and Teambuilding and Leadership programs are available in French in May and June each year. All activities can be run in French, however meals are run in English and our staff may decide to convey some safety information in English. All administration is in English.
