Educo Adventure School - Course Descriptions

In inspiring wilderness classrooms, we practise setting goals, taking risks, working as part of a team, solving problems and making choices while maintaining a positive attitude. Participants learn to rely on their own inner strength with the support of peers and instructors. These vital and transferable life skills encourage participants to see the challenges life presents as opportunities, not obstacles.

2010 Educo Course Calendar
All prices include 12% HST

Intro to Junior (Ages 9-11):

“Just go for it!” The only prerequisites for this site-based course are curiosity and enthusiasm. For four fun-filled days, students will be introduced to the wild energy and spirit of Educo while they share an experience they will never forget. Activities include: high ropes, low ropes, canoeing, climbing wall, as well as some "Top Secret" events. Being away from home can be hard, but at Educo, students are almost always too engaged by their sense of wonder and the friendships they make to notice they are not at home!

Boys and Girls: August 3 - 7

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$450.80	$392.00	$274.40
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Hiking, kayaking and rock climbing

Junior (Ages 10-12)

"Come to the edge!" This exciting 7-day course is packed full of adventure and exploration! Students gain self confidence and learn the importance of companionship through supporting one another as they hike in the mountains, rappel down cliffs, canoe, climb on the wall and try out their new found skills in the high and low ropes. The Junior course is designed to draw out positive attitudes and students begin to see challenges as opportunities instead of obstacles.

Boys & Girls: July 10 - 17

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$869.40	$756.00	$592.20
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Intermediate (Ages 12-14):

"Let your spirit soar!" Intermediate students are inspired to step out of their comfort zone and discover the courage to be themselves. This course increases students’ awareness of the inner journey as they take on the responsibilities during a multi-day hiking trip into big mountains and as they climb on rock faces, paddle lakes, and stretch themselves in the high and low ropes. Students are also introduced to volunteering.

The Intermediate course emphasizes teamwork and draws out students' willingness to be open and participate in reflective discussions while they learn to appreciate new sides to themselves, other people and the world around them..

Boys: July 21 - 31 Girls: August 11 - 21

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$1481.20	$1288.00	$901.60
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Senior (Ages 15-18):

"Live the moment!" This course encourages students to push beyond their personal boundaries and preconceived limitations. Students will be challenged to expand their horizons and explore untouched depths within themselves as they are faced with new experiences at Educo. Activities include a mountain exploration trip, whitewater paddling, a solo, a community service project, high ropes, teambuilding initiatives, meaningful discussions, and other activities.

The Senior course focuses on drawing out authentic strengths and students walk away from this course ready to step out into the world with a deepened sense of confidence and capability.

Boys: August 25 - September 4 Girls: August 25 - September 4

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$1610.00	$1400.00	$959.00
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All Rock (Males & Females Ages 14+):

This course is new for 2010 and is designed for the many students who have had a taste of Educo rock climbing and are now asking for more. Arrive to the Educo site and be prepared to head out for an immersive 7-day rock climbing adventure. Students will learn climbing techniques as they navigate various vertical rock throughout Central BC and will access their own unique style by discovering the power of their creativity and by developing their capacity to deepen the trust in themselves and in others. Other team building and personal development initiatives and games will be included to enhance the climbing experience. Students will return to the site viewing themselves and the world from a different angle.

The All Rock course is designed to strengthen the mind body connection through Educo`s style of drawing out ability and challenging students inside and out. Previous beginner rock climbing experience is mandatory and it is suggested that students first experience either Educo’s Intermediate or Senior course. This course is co-ed.

July 4-10

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$2060.80	$1792.00	$1254.40
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As a 16 year-old, Educo had a profound influence on my life - Educo Student

Leadership Development Program

Leadership I: "Self in Leadership" (Ages 16-19)

This first course in the Leadership Development Program (LDP) provides challenges and experiences designed to powerfully draw forth leadership skills needed in today's society. This course focuses on personal leadership development and help the students develop an awareness of their unique leadership style. It also introduces students to the “soft skills” of leadership, such as group dynamics, effective use of facilitation styles, and group communication skills.

The Leadership I course invites students to ignite their leadership abilities by stretching themselves in more ways than ever. Responsibility, creativity, and inspiration are touched on while students explore mountains, lakes, rock, and ropes from an entirely different perspective.

An additional application, available at the Educo office, is required for this course. Students will be chosen based on their applications and must have completed at least one Educo Senior course or have shown interest in developing their leadership skills in other settings. This course is co-ed.

July 4 - 17

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$2415.00	$2100.00	$1344.00
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NEW FOR 2010:

Leadership II: "skills in Leadership" (Ages 17-21):

The Leadership II course is a continuation of our Leadership Development Program. It builds off of the experience and insight gained in Leadership I and focuses on the `hard skills` and technical knowledge necessary to be a leader in the field of youth wilderness-based experiential education. Students attain practical skills while learning how to facilitate climbing wall activities, high ropes, flatwater canoeing and low ropes. They also gain skills in mountain travel. With the successful completion of Leadership II, students receive third-party certifications in both First Aid and Flatwater Canoeing.

The LDP Program is designed to establish life-long leadership ability and therefore during the final phase students have the opportunity to put their skills into practice while they plan and facilitate the Intro to Junior course together with Educo Course Leaders. Leadership II students work closely with Educo Course Leaders as their `knowledge and training` quickly become `skills and experience` in this powerful mentoring event.

A special application will be made available to interested students who have completed LDP I, or have gained comparable experience in another setting. Please contact the office to apply or to get more information. This course is co-ed.

July 18 - August 8

**All prices include 12% HST** **Which Price is for Me?**
$3606.40	$3136.00	$2195.20
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Educo Youth Rite of Passage (Males & Females Ages 15 to 19):

This program has been postponed for a future year.
Call the Educo office for more details.

You can download your enrollment applications from the Enroll Now page and
then check the Get Geared Up page to find out what supplies you'll need!

My students are still raving about Educo a year later. - Teacher

He had a monumental experience which he has carried over into all aspects of his life. We are thrilled. - Parent of Educo Student.

An Invitation to Parents . . .

You are welcome to join your son or daughter on any of the above courses. Please contact us for details.

Educo School is a registered non-profit organization which gives tax-deductible receipts for all donations. We are pleased to offer a partial subsidy to students requiring financial assistance. We appreciate any donation made to our subsidy fund to help us continue this valuable program. Educo is accredited by the British Columbia Camping Association.

Educo reserves the right to cancel courses at our discretion

Let the adventures, challenges and fun of Educo be a part of your classroom experience!

Educo also offers shorter programs for school and other groups during May, June, September and October. The programs can be specifically designed and vary in length to meet your needs. The intensity and difficulty of each course is determined by age and individual capabilities of the participants. Using some of the exciting elements from our summer programs, let us design a course to suit your students, timing, budget and class objectives.

Basic Fee Schedule for 2010

Single Day rates - $63.50 per student/adult per day (plus GST). Bring your own lunch

Resident Camps - $85.00 per student/adult per night (plus GST). Includes three delicious meals.

No charge for classroom teacher or required personal aide for groups of 10 or more students.

Contact the Educo office for more information and bookings.

School Program – Information Document [PDF]

So what's a course like anyhow? What am I going to do there?
Is it going to be any fun? Well . . .

Just when you think you might be driving down the wrong gravel road into the middle of nowhere, you see a big sign between two trees and pull into the parking lot of Educo Adventure School. You made it!

Taking your bulky backpack and other gear from the trunk, you get to make your first decision of the next ten days: you pick your bunk. Around you there are so many faces, you can't imagine that in a week or so you will feel like you've known everyone your whole life.

The first afternoon you get to know the site - the lakes, the fields, the outhouses, and then maybe take a dip in the lake, throw a frisbee, meet a few people and some zaney staff. Sounds like a regular camp so far, right? Well, hang on tight. The rest of the course is a ride you won't soon forget.

That night you meet your group and you might get just a little bit crazy on your first adventure together. (The details are highly classified but the night might involve a swamp or two and some wild night life).

The next couple of days are a blur of high ropes, climbing walls, canoes, team challenges and by day three, you are already saying to yourself, "I did all that?"

Now you're ready for an out-trip. You pack your gear into a backpack and your group takes off to one of the many beautiful mountain ranges in the middle of B.C. For the next three to seven days you hike, camp, swim, climb and explore. You get the chance to see all kinds of new parts of the world and maybe even some new sides of yourself.

I climbed that peak? I scaled that rock? I slept under the stars with this group of awesome people? Who knew I could do all of this stuff!

Then, after a pile of adventures, you drive back to the good old Educo site. By then you are happy to see those beautiful, modern outhouses that you weren't so sure of on the day you arrived. Technology is amazing! There is even a pump at the site to get water out of the ground. (We call it Educo 'Gold'!) Incredible!

Back at Educo you clean up, maybe in a sweatlodge or a sauna, and you take some time to gather your thoughts on all the new things you just experienced. You have a mouth-watering Grad Dinner, an amazing and magical last night, and the next thing you know, your parents are there for the Open House!

You shake a little as you stand up in front of the crowd and explain a little bit about your time during the course. It becomes clear that you did something truly amazing beyond words and pictures. You did it. You had an experience that was more than just fun; it was inspiring, adventurous, and empowering, and more than likely you learned something about yourself along the way.

You say goodbye to your new friends, and with promises to keep in touch, head off down the gravel road to town.

See you next year!

Time to make it real

During the course, students have experiences that inspire them to see themselves and their world in new ways. One aspect of the Open House is an opportunity for students to speak about themselves with a new voice, and for the people in the room to hear them with a new ear. The result is kind of like a rope that ties the Educo experience to the world at home.
To Participants
If you've ever tried talking in front of a group of people, then you know that it's a challenge. But by then, you'll have a whole lot of inspiration to pass on!

You see, jumping off of the zipline platform, or climbing a huge peak is one kind of challenge. Finding the courage to speak about your own experience is a completely different ball game. It's the final Educo challenge and it's a great springboard to jump off toward home.

Kayak and paddler To Family and Friends

At the end of the course, there will be plenty of adventures, victories and accomplishments to share with friends and family. We strongly encourage you to not only join in the Open House, but also to provide encouragement and support in this time of transition.

Family and friends are invited to the Open House demonstration and celebration beginning at 12 noon. Please arrive at the site after 11 am. Activities will end around 2:30 pm. Travel to the site from 100 Mile house takes approximately 25 minutes.

See you there!

CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-245-9191

Box 1978, 100 Mile House, BC Canada V0K 2E0

tel (250) 395-3388 / fax (250) 395-2567 / e-mail info@educo.ca / www.educo.ca