Frequently Asked Questions

*We’re sure no one will be surprised to read that we anticipate 2022 will look much different from previous seasons. Please note the answers to the questions below were written in relation to a regular season so the answers may differ in relation to 2022 programs. For all recent Educo COVID-19 news please go to our Updates page.

Do I need to bring everything on the equipment list?

Yes! What’s on the list is what we consider to be the essentials for the safety and comfort of each participant. Do your best to borrow what you don’t have or check out thrift stores.


Do you have any equipment to rent?

We have a limited number of sleeping bags and backpacks for rent. The cost for renting is $25 each for the duration of the course. Sleeping mats (for camping in the mountains) are available for $10 for the duration of the course. Please contact the Educo office to reserve.

We also have extra warm clothing and some rain gear to lend out. We have a limited supply though so please do your best to borrow/bring what you can and if you’re still missing something after that, we’ll outfit you when you pack for your out trip. There is no rental fee for warm clothing and rain gear.


Do I have to bring hiking boots?

Yes. We recommend a medium-weight hiking boot with ankle support to prevent sprains. If you are purchasing new boots, wear them around home for a few days before arriving for your course. This will help break in the boots and prevent blisters.


How many people are on a course?

Our camp holds a maximum of 50 students. Each course group is divided into cabin groups of 8-12 students, with whom most of your course activities will take place.


If I come with a friend will I be in the same group with them?

You can request to be in the same cabin group with a friend, but requests aren’t guaranteed. Because our student groups are so small (8-12 students) we grant a maximum of one cabin buddy request per participant. Part of the Educo experience is making new friends!


Who owns Educo?

Educo is run by JUMP! Canada, a non-religious, non-profit, charitable society registered in BC. JUMP! Canada is run by a Board of Directors who hire an Executive Director to run the organization. For more info on the relationship between Educo and JUMP! Canada check out our About Us page.


How do I get to Educo?

Download our printable travel directions so you can navigate to our site. Keep in mind, once you leave the pavement for the dirt road, you lose cell reception so keep your printed directions at hand.


If there is limited electricity at the site, how do you keep all the food cold?

At the site we have a number of propane fridges and freezers (and they all have their own names!) that we keep food in. We have a wood-fired hot water heater for doing dishes. We also have solar panels to operate our emergency phone, radios, and main cabin lights.


Will my children be safe?

At Educo, safety is our number one priority. Educo’s operating policies and procedures, professionally trained staff, and industry-approved outdoor equipment ensure course activities are as safe as possible. Our safety procedures also ensure the risks in course activities are more perceived than real. Read more on our Our Risk Philosophy page.


What time should I arrive on the first day?

Arrive anytime between 2 pm and 4 pm on the first day of your summer course. We kick off the course when everyone has arrived at 4 pm. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details when you register.


What happens on the last day of the course?

The hardest challenge at Educo is taking the magic and the lessons you’ve learned home – the integration of your experience into your daily life. To help with integration, we host an Open House on the last day of the course. The Open House is a chance for parents and families to share in the stories of the course, to witness their child’s achievements and transformations, and to see the site and some activities.

To students: If you’ve ever tried talking in front of a group of people, then you know that it’s a challenge. But by the last day, 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.

To family & friends: 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 noon on the last day of the course (Saturday). Please arrive at the site anytime after 11 am to greet your child and check out the grounds. Activities will end around 2:30 pm.


Seems all pretty strange to me still. So what's a course like anyhow? What am I going to do there? Is it going to be any fun?

Well … here’s a taste-tester story to give you an idea of what it might be like:

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 few days: you pick your bunk. What looks like rough digs compared to your cozy bed at home will soon appear to be a wonderful simplicity. With so many new faces around you, it’s hard to imagine that in ten days, you’ll feel as if you’ve known these people all your life.

The first afternoon you get to know the site – the lakes, the fields, and the outhouses. As you settle in, you maybe take a dip in the lake, throw a frisbee, meet a few people and some zany 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.

The next couple of days are a blur of climbing walls, canoes, and team challenges. By day three, you are already saying to yourself: “I did all that?!” But it isn’t over yet!

The next morning you pack your bags and head off to the mountains for the next three to seven days with your group. Hiking through meadows, valleys, and steep hills, you make it to new heights. As a team, you summit a peak with your group: the 360 degree views are a feast for your eyes and the wind is fresh and wild! You get the chance to see new parts of this world and maybe even some new sides of yourself. Again, you are saying to yourself, “I did all that?”

You arrive back at the Educo site, your instructor honking happily as your van pulls into the driveway. Welcomed back excitedly by other staff and students, this place that once seemed foreign starts to feel like home now. And after a week in the mountains, those outhouses are looking luxurious!

You take some time to clean your gear and yourself, maybe with a sauna and a dip in the lake. When you emerge, you put on your best digs (or cleanest clothes at least) and there is a delicious graduation dinner prepared for you to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished over the past ten days!

As the last evening plays out, you take some time to gather your thoughts on all the new things you just experienced. 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.

The final morning, Educo is a bustling place as parents pull up in the driveway. You rush out to the parking lot to give your family a hug, glowing with rejuvenation from your week. Your parents are ushered into the Rec Hall where your Open House begins. It’s time to share some stories from your week and what you’ve learned about yourself and your peers with your family. With butterflies in your belly, you stand up proudly to share all that you accomplished and the magic of Educo.

It’s time to go. You hug your new best friends and wave goodbye, with promises to keep in touch, as you head off down the gravel road to town.

See you next year!