Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre

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Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre Strathcona Park Lodge invites you to escape to Vancouver Island's wilderness. Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C.'s oldest protected area, is just down the road.
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Our mission is to teach the wonder, spirit and worth of people and the natural world through outdoor pursuits. Living on the edge since 1959, Strathcona Park Lodge pioneered self-propelled and off the grid wilderness experiences on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. From the lake side cottages, chalets and rooms experience wilderness inspired summer holidays, guided trips and group gatherings. Home base for WYLD youth summer camps, the COLT leadership training program and outdoor education programming, SPL is a leader in experiential education and wilderness vacations. The setting
The Boulding family chose well when they picked the site for Strathcona Park Lodge. From almost every room on the property you can get an amazing view of glacier carved valleys, big pristine lakes and rocky/snowcapped peaks. There are several hikes, viewpoints, protected bays and beaches, climbing bluffs, old growth trees, high ropes courses and zip lines -- and that's just on the property. Within 30 minutes go whitewater paddling, mountain biking, more rock climbing, or lace up for interpretive walks, hikes and mountaineering routes. A little further is world class sea kayaking and whale watching on both sides of Vancouver Island. Summer vacations
Perfectly poised between the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park and a sprawling lake chain the Lodge is an ideal base for exploring the heart of Vancouver Island. Hike, paddle, climb or just sit back and relax on the beach. Stay in lake-side cabins, mountain view chalets or hotel style rooms overlooking it all. Refuel on delicious and healthy food. Disconnect from the wired world and return recharged. Group Gatherings
The Lodge loves groups. Big or small, 200 to 10, we have the capacity, facilities and experience to make any gathering unforgettable. Every year we host multiple weddings, family reunions and other large groups on our picturesque and family friendly setting. With a dedicated staff we take care of every detail. Outdoor education/school programs
In the spring and fall schools visit Strathcona to learn outside of the classroom. Removed from their everyday, challenged mentally and physically and exposed to new experiences, our specially trained leaders help students gain confidence, leadership, teamwork and camaraderie - skills that can’t be learned from a desk. These experiences students remember forever. WYLD summer camps
A summer camp like no other, Wilderness Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Expeditions are 8 to 12 day expeditions for adventurous teens, 12 to 17 years old. Based out of the Lodge’s lakeside location, the camps explore the hiking trails, lakes, inlets, beaches, islands and mountains of Vancouver Island by foot, sea kayak and canoe. COLT Leadership Semester
We believe COLT is the best outdoor leadership program in Canada. Founded in 1977 by Canada’s oldest outdoor education centre, COLT is a learn-by-doing program with the best job opportunities, instructors and learning environment. And for the price no other program comes close to offering as much. Participants graduate with hard skills, like sea kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, whitewater paddling, but even more soft skills, like leadership, group dynamics, teamwork, confidence and determination.

And the winner of this year’s Generosity of Spirit Award at SPL is… STEVE! 🎉If there’s one thing that has stood out abou...
10/19/2026

And the winner of this year’s Generosity of Spirit Award at SPL is… STEVE! 🎉

If there’s one thing that has stood out about Steve this year, it’s his incredible willingness to help others. “Do you need any help?” is a question you’ll hear him ask anyone he sees tackling a task. And he genuinely means it — no matter what the job is!

Beyond his helpful nature, Steve has offered a compassionate, listening ear to many, shared countless friendly smiles, and brought a positive attitude wherever he goes. And when a little tough love was needed, he wasn’t afraid to offer a few firm words of encouragement either.

Steve also kept the tummies of many SPL campers happy this year as our out-trip food coordinator, serving up delicious meals and introducing us to some tasty new recipes!

But wait, there’s more… we also have an author in our midst!

Steve’s new book, May I Buy My Own Stolen Hiking Gear?, tells the story of a series of unfortunate events that led to his carefully prepared hiking gear being stolen just before setting off on a long-distance adventure — and his journey towards finding peace with what happened.

We highly recommend giving it a read!

Congratulations, Steve! Thank you for the generosity, kindness, encouragement, and care you bring to the SPL community.



Thanksgiving at SPL means celebrating another beloved tradition: our Happy Warrior and Generosity of Spirit Awards! 🍾✨Th...
10/14/2026

Thanksgiving at SPL means celebrating another beloved tradition: our Happy Warrior and Generosity of Spirit Awards! 🍾✨

These aren’t just Core Values at Strathcona Park Lodge. They’re part of who we are, woven into our programming and our community.

Every year, our community gets to nominate the people who embody these values for them. And guess what? So many names show up. Maybe science really is onto something when it comes to the contagious power of a positive attitude and kindness. However, it simply shows what an incredible team we have here at SPL.

We’re so grateful for our amazing staff, their hard work, their passion, and all the little things they do every day to make this place special.

This year’s Happy Warrior Award goes to… LUKA!

That warm, welcoming smile at breakfast ☀️, his positive energy, and his readiness to lend a hand whenever needed. Add a well-timed fist bump, a friendly check-in, and his signature “What’s up, Captain?” And if you’re up for a fun conversation, Luka is always ready to chat — in multiple languages, no less!



Enjoying community in a beautiful place away from   messaging.Our fall programs thus far have been blessed with incredib...
09/20/2026

Enjoying community in a beautiful place away from messaging.

Our fall programs thus far have been blessed with incredible youth and incredible weather.





📸 Sophie O'Brien

As the sun sets on summer,  we send a huge thank you to all our summer guests, and a big welcome to those arriving over ...
09/08/2026

As the sun sets on summer, we send a huge thank you to all our summer guests, and a big welcome to those arriving over the fall months.

Contact us for a Harvest Special and enjoy fruit from our heritage orchard.

📷 Bluetree Photography

WYLD Huckleberry Camp 2026 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫐This was our third year partnering with Alana🍌 to bring the WYLD Huckleberry camp t...
08/18/2026

WYLD Huckleberry Camp 2026 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫐

This was our third year partnering with Alana🍌 to bring the WYLD Huckleberry camp to life. We are so thrilled that over the course of two weeks, 20 youth had the opportunity to create connections, celebrate q***r and trans joy, and access nature & backpacking in a fun and supportive way. A big shoutout to all the youth for bringing their full selves to the camp, along with our instructors who put their heart and soul into the program! Levi TeNyenhuis, Avery, Ry Smith, Maxx, & Ellis Wood

It brings such a smile to our face hearing the youth share about their experience..

🌸 “I can say I am going home a happier person. It’s so refreshing to be in this type of space. It makes me want to go out and connect”.

🌼 “My camp experience was so exciting and such a great learning experience. It was such an accepting and loving community”.

🌸 “I can see a future where I can be myself”.

🌼 “Queer joy in the wilderness”.

🌸 “Absolute magic”.

We are very grateful for the following donors support in reducing barriers for WYLD Huckleberry youth.

We can’t wait to see what magic happens next year!

Robinsons Outdoors
Hotel Zed
The Howl Experience
Ocean Wise®
James Chamberlain
MosaicForests
NatureKids BC
GOATS Climbing Assc.
Arc'teryx
Fairway Market
🥕Country Grocer 🥦
xocowestcoastchocolate
Formerly Squamish Water Kefir Co.

What a wonderful week of sunshine, nature, and new friendships ✨“It was an amazing experience and I felt like I really g...
08/09/2026

What a wonderful week of sunshine, nature, and new friendships ✨

“It was an amazing experience and I felt like I really grew as a person throughout this camp!” - WYLD Discovery Participant.

We have a couple remaining spots in our mid-late August WYLD camps! Register online or give us a call.

Our instructional staff had the opportunity to learn from Daye Hagel, a former SPL instructor, Canadian Certified Counse...
06/23/2026

Our instructional staff had the opportunity to learn from Daye Hagel, a former SPL instructor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, and Founder and Director of MHWFA

Thanks Daye for facilitating an engaging 16hr course! We value engaging in these conversations and learning more tools to best support our participants.

Creating emotional safety in the outdoors is an integral part of group success in the backcountry.

As Daye would say “connection is the correction”.

After summer training our 2026 group of instructors celebrated the wrap up of successful spring programming with a gathe...
06/18/2026

After summer training our 2026 group of instructors celebrated the wrap up of successful spring programming with a gathering at the lakes edge. Snacks, games, swimming, crafts, hangouts...

We are grateful for all the hard work put in over the spring season connecting with the youth in nature and teaching the wonder, spirit and worth of people and the natural world through outdoor pursuits. Thank you!

Students got offered an amazing array of opportunities from introductory centre based outdoor programs to specialized programs teaching students a progression in one chosen activity.

Another huge shout-out goes to our program office managers and supports for their dedication and hard work to provide the scaffolding for Strathcona’s youth programs. So much behind the scenes training, logistics and support. Thank you!

And of course all this would not be possible without our kitchen, dining, housekeeping, office and maintenance team! Thank you all!

It takes a village to run outdoor programs!

❤️


WYLD Backcountry Classic ✨We are gearing up for our outdoor education season and getting excited for WYLD summer youth p...
03/20/2026

WYLD Backcountry Classic ✨

We are gearing up for our outdoor education season and getting excited for WYLD summer youth programs! Who’s joining?

Register on our website or give us a call to connect about WYLD camp options.





Exciting day today kicking off the season with our 2026 management team!A nourishing morning connecting with one another...
03/04/2026

Exciting day today kicking off the season with our 2026 management team!

A nourishing morning connecting with one another and our values as well as looking back and ahead and sharing a meal in a beautiful place full of opportunities!

We are excited for the season ahead!

Address

41040 Gold River Highway
Campbell River, BC
V9W5C5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12502863122

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