School Groups | Camp Pathfinder

WILDERNESS & OUTDOOR LEARNING PROGRAMS

May 10th - June 20th
August 22nd - October 15
3, 4 & 5 day sessions available

Pathfinder offers immersive wilderness experiences that go beyond the classroom, fostering confidence, creativity, teamwork, and a deep connection to nature. As an historic canoe-tripping camp, we welcome school and organizational groups each spring and fall for custom-designed outdoor education programs.

From paddling Algonquin’s waters to hiking its trails, students learn through adventure, building resilience and camaraderie along the way.

Set on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg, Pathfinder emphasizes simple living, environmental stewardship, and respect for the land’s history and people. With expert guides and a tailored approach, each 3–5 day program blends hands-on learning with unforgettable camp traditions, ensuring every participant leaves with new skills, friendships, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.

Fees flexible to program plan-length. Faculty welcome at no charge. HST & Ontario Parks fees applicable.

EXPLORE ACTIVITY OPTIONS...

Canoeing & Kayaking

Instruction & Exploration
Our staff teach students basic canoemanship - draws, running draws, pries, sweeps, braces and the all-important J stroke! Once students master the basic strokes, they move on to a class paddle around the lake, so that they are well prepared for their day trips or back country trips. Life vests and capsize training for all.

Overnight Canoe Trips

Paddle, portage, and camp.
Groups may choose guided wilderness overnight trips through lakes and trails of the Park. Our skilled staff will help the group learn to outfit and pack for trip. Smaller groups of 9-15 including students, school staff and Pathfinder staff will paddle, portage, cook and camp. One to three-night trips available.

Ropes Course Challenge

Team building, problem solving, and pushing limits.
Trained course facilitators work with kids on low elements for trust, team-building & problem-solving skills; high elements are designed to help push limits in the safe, controlled environment of our quality ropes course. Elements include Zip line, Dangle Duo (Giants Ladder) , Pamper Pole, Catwalk, & Rock Wall.

Bike, Paddle, & Hike Trek

Enjoy Rock Lake & Booth's Rock Trail or Cache Lake.

Staff will guide groups of 9-12 students and staff on a fun bike ride to Rock Lake, where they will hike Booth's Rock Trail up to an amazing sight over the lake. After enjoying lunch with the group, they will head down, get into canoes, and paddle to see pictographs on Rock Lake and explore rock caves. A wonderful way to spend the day.

Tom Thompson Mystery

Hear Tom's mysterious story & paint on his favorite Lake.

Explore the backcountry where lake meets river, beaver marsh, & conifer lowland environments. Students cooperate in tandem paddling to explore Potter's Creek and Canoe Lake. Guides give each student a watercolor painting field kit & facilitate intuitive landscape painting at a backcountry location along the trip route. Back on the Island, around the stone fireplace, is a time for recognition and sharing of the day's experiences. The story of Tom Thomson's creative connection with the Algonquin landscape, & the simple campsite enjoyments of debating his mysterious death in Algonquin in 1917, are important components as well.

Scenic Skymount Hike

View Cache Lake from new heights.

This trek explores natural and human histories influencing each other over the last three centuries in North American forests. It's punctuated at lunchtime by a spectacular summit view of Algonquin's western uplands.

Evening Games & Campfire

Stories, Music, Song, and Laughter.

Each evening after swim bath is a hearty family style dinner; then, the group gets the last light of the day for a camp game, and gathers at the hearth or camp fire for reflection, story telling, music, song, and laughter. There are nighttime expeditions to howl for wolves and revel in the cosmos in this unique place without light pollution.

Traditional Skills

Learn & apply wilderness skill.

Teamwork and trust combine with exploration of the dense, complex and fragile Canadian 'bush.' Learn how start a fire with a single match and cook a hot meal over open flame. Follow a map and compass to guide your group through the woods on a thrilling hike. Are you up for the challenge?

Logging Museum & Visitors Centre

Enjoy the rich history of Algonquin Park.

Enjoy a day at Algonquin Parks historic Logging Museum. Pathfinder guides bring to life the story of logging, from the early square timber days to modern forestry management. Start your visit with a documentary that sums up the logging history of the Algonquin area. On the easy-to-walk 1.5 km trail, a recreated camboose camp and a fascinating steam-powered amphibious tug called an "alligator" are among the many displays.

STAFFING & SAFETY

The Pathfinder Staff is made up of longtime guides and directors, with special skills in outdoor education.

A typical Pathfinder guide staff for school programs is 8-15 professionals plus the Kitchen Service staff. Pathfinder has a well-equipped infirmary, the camp's guides and instructors are Wilderness First Responders, CPR and Lifeguard certified.

A Camp Nurse can be available to groups upon request. Ontario EMS, Algonquin Park Emergency Response, and the proximity of Huntsville Memorial Hospital all combine to offer superlative service to the Camp's location.

" The Pathfinder experience for our seventh graders has consistently led to a positive start to the school year. I have worked with Mike Sladden and his team of guides to design a program that ties directly to our school's mission.

The community-building activities, based in a pristine, technology-free setting, reinforce our school's goal of promoting character education. Our students return with a clearer sense of empathy and a greater respect for one another and for the natural environment.

The experienced guides connect easily with middle schoolers and confidently direct them through, for many, their first wilderness experience. I can't think of a more effective way to jump-start the school year and getting kids, even middle schoolers, excited to work together.

We have also been fortunate to include a team of seventh grade teachers each year to participate side by side, and paddle-by-paddle, with their students in a non classroom environment.

The student-teacher relationships established at Pathfinder set the tone for productive year in the classroom."

- John Munro, Head of Middle School, Nichols School

WILDERNESS & OUTDOOR LEARNING PROGRAMS

May 10th - June 20th August 22nd - October 15 3, 4 & 5 day sessions available

EXPLORE ACTIVITY OPTIONS...

STAFFING & SAFETY

May 10th - June 20th
August 22nd - October 15
3, 4 & 5 day sessions available