Experience the best of Vancouver Island mountaineering with WEA’s Youth Hiking Summer Camp — a partnership between WEA and the Western Educational Adventure Society (WEAS). This action-packed, six-day backpacking adventure introduces youth to the thrill of alpine hiking in the stunning Strathcona Provincial Park on Central Vancouver Island, near Courtenay, BC — just a few hours from Greater Victoria. Starting at Raven Lodge on Mount Washington, participants journey through alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and awe-inspiring peaks in the Forbidden Plateau area, with the possibility of summiting the iconic Mount Albert Edward. The scenic drive from Victoria in one of WEA’s vehicles is well worth it for this unforgettable outdoor experience.
**This hiking camp is ideal for energetic, physically active youth who are ready to challenge themselves (within reason). For details on the fitness requirements, CLICK HERE.**
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Dates & Rates | Program dates, ages, fees, and registration info for each hiking expedition session. |
| Pick-Up & Drop-Off | Meeting points, travel details, and transportation logistics for Victoria and surrounding areas. |
| Preparing for A Canoe Trip | Packing, gear, and fitness preparation — what to bring, where to buy or rent equipment, and how to get ready physically for the hiking journey. |
| What to Bring | Complete hiking expedition packing list — required gear, clothing, and equipment recommendations. |
| Fitness Requirements | How physically prepared campers should be and how to assess readiness for multi-day hikes. |
| WEA Advantage | Instructor credentials, safety certifications, and the outdoor education approach that defines our programs. |
| The Alpine Hiking Journey Experience | Daily life on trail — hiking rhythm, team roles, wilderness camping, and leadership growth. |
| Trip Location & Itinerary | Overview of Strathcona Park’s Forbidden Plateau, sample itinerary, and key highlights along the route. |
| Skills Learned | Outdoor and personal development skills — navigation, campcraft, environmental awareness, and resilience. |
| Safety, Food & Wilderness Protocols | Safety procedures, food systems, environmental stewardship, and backcountry hygiene practices. |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Answers about gear, food, safety, supervision, and what to expect on the hiking journey. |
| Registration | Sign-up instructions, payment options, and refund/cancellation policies. |
| Contact Us – Mountain Hiking Journey | How to reach the WEA team with questions or follow-ups before or after registration. |
| AGE | GENDER | PROGRAM LENGTH | TRIP LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ages 13 - 16 | Inclusive | 6 days | 5 days |
| PRICE | |||
| $950 - $1,350 + GST | |||
| PROGRAM DATES | AVAILABILITY | ||
| August 23 - 28, 2026 | Spaces Available | ||
| SHARE | |||
Availability updated Nov 5 2025. Live availability can be found on our registration software.
| SHARE | ONLINE REGISTRATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| REGISTER NOW |
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, please click on the following button to take you to the contact information survey (takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete) and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days. If you are inquiring about financial assistance, Click here.
While we may stage our Strathcona Park hiking camp at another location, we typically start and end our mountain youth hiking camp at Camp Kingswood, 611 Linnet Lane, Saanich, BC V9E 2B1. WEA's Victoria-based overnight hiking expedition program runs from 15:15 on Sunday to 15:15 on Friday. Campers spend their first day getting to know each other and preparing for the hiking trip. On Monday morning, the kids will be transported from Victoria to Mount Washington to start their hike. Families living up island may be able to pick-up their youth at Raven Lodge on Friday morning. Transportation to and from the airport or ferries is also available for campers that live out of town. These transportation services must be arranged in advance.
| START/END | LOCATION | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Camp Kingswood, 611 Linnet Lane, Saanich, BC V9E 2B1 | 15:15 |
| End | Camp Kingswood, 611 Linnet Lane, Saanich, BC V9E 2B1 | 15:15 |
**Ferry and airport pick-up/drop-off for campers available for those that live out of town**
Typically we require families to pick-up and drop-off their kids directly at our staging location (above). If you need transportation for your camper to and from camp from the city, ferries or airport or are wishing to pick you camper up on the final day of the program up-island, please CONTACT US.
As we operate our programs outside and often in wilderness environments, it is essential that all families pack all items on our packing list. Failing to do so may compromise your childs safety and experience. Base items can be rented or loaned depending on your financial situation. Other items can be purchsed from WEA, for more information click the rental gear & add-on button below.
MOUNTAIN PACKING LIST RENTAL GEAR & ADD-ONS
Hiking is physically demanding and requires participants to be able to push themselves (within reason). This program is intended for kids phycially fit children with lots of energy. For more info on physical fitness for this camp, CLICK HERE.
We believe that youth programming should be safe, fun and staffed by the best people in the industry.
"My 14 year old son had a great time at summer camp. It was a multi-age camp which is a bit unusual, but provides a unique experience for kids to learn and be a leader outside of their usual school age cohort. I like that the camp is fairly low-key and provides time for reflection and personal growth. I imagine this may be a less competitive atmosphere than some of the larger camps. The programming was good and varied. A great bonus from the camp was my son willingly offered to take out the garbage and recycling when he arrived home. He has continued to offer to do chores and contribute more to the household routines! Thanks Landon!"
- Karla Benson
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, please click on the following button to take you to the contact information survey (takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete) and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days. If you are inquiring about financial assistance, Click here.
Our mountain hiking expedition for kids in Strathcona Park is a super exciting program for youth. The group hikes through unique, delicate, alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems that take years to grow. They do this while experiencing stunning panoramic vistas and pristine alpine lakes. When tourists visit Vancouver Island, they think of rainforests and wild beaches. This trip gives kids a chance to see the vast alpine terrain of Vancouver Island, the other, lesser known side of Vancouver Island that is just as amazing. The experience doesn’t stop there! Campers learn about nature, including the various forms of terrestrial and alpine flora and fauna, while gaining backcountry camping skills, leadership skills and more – skills they won't even know that they have mastered!
The first day and a bit of the program is all about preparing for the trip. How do we pack bags? What gear do we need? Who is carrying what?
Strathcona Provincial Park - Official BC Parks Website: Click Here
Modern youth do not get very many opportunities to learn life skills such as how to lead others, manage conflict and think for themselves. Western Education Adventure’s Victoria BC hiking summer camp focuses specifically on these skills.
During the Mt. Albert Edward and Lakes Area hiking trip, participants are split into pairs. Daily, a pair is selected to be responsible for leading the entire group, acting as the hike leaders. In the evening, the pair debriefs their experience, talking about what they learned and how it can be applied in the future. In short, participants learn what it means to be an adult!
Youth learn many of the skills required to run a successful backcountry hiking trip. Everything from making a meal plan to planning a route to cleaning up after it's all done. Kids come away from this experience with a serious backcountry skill set.
Leadership • Decision Making • Conflict Management • Group Management • Route Panning • Navigation • Hiking • Camping Practices • Food packing • Cooking • Fire building • Knife and Stove Safety • Backcountry Safety • Backcountry Equipment Maintenance
Western Educational Adventures takes safety seriously. Not only do we want our participants to have an exceptional time, but just as importantly, we want them to return home safe and sound. All of Western Educational Adventures staff are certified in high level first aid and have years of experience managing risk in the outdoors. You won’t find a more qualified staff team anywhere else!
"Landon took our family on a sea kayak paddle starting out of Victoria. This was our first time sea kayaking but we felt confident in Landon keeping our trip safe and enjoyable. In little time we were safely paddling and navigating the water. It was a great day!"
-Alex Damjanovic
We believe that a good experience starts with good nutrition. Proper diet and eating habits are lacking in today’s society - a result of readily available fast foods, processed foods and a lack of nutritional education. We strive to provide quality, simple, wholesome meals with limited processed ingredients – in addition to the occasional smores and limited other tasty treats. This is part of why we include our participants in all meal planning, purchasing and cooking.
We are also very experienced in dealing with dietary restrictions and serious food allergies. Great care is taken to avoid serious participant food allergens whenever possible. Where this is not possible, we take great care to avoid cross contamination of ingredients.
"Landon guided an overnight trip for our family on the Juan de Fuca trail. Healthy eating is important to us. Landon helped our kids build an outdoor oven and they were soon baking an amazing dinner. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that you can look after yourself in the outdoors."
-Carole Damnjanovic
The Mountain Hiking program is designed for youth ages 13 – 16 and runs for 6 days total, including 4 nights and 5 days hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park’s Forbidden Plateau. See Dates & Rates for session details.
Pick-up and drop-off locations vary by session. Please see the Pick-Up & Drop-Off section for the exact meeting point and schedule.
Yes. Transportation can often be arranged in advance from Victoria, Nanaimo ferries, or the Comox Valley airport. Please contact our team to confirm options and availability.
Bring all required items on the Mountain Hike Packing List (PDF). Essential items can be rented or loaned depending on need — see Rental Gear & Add-Ons (PDF) for availability and fees.
Yes — limited quantities of backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are available for a small rental fee. Reserve early through registration or contact our office.
The Mountain Hiking Journey includes daily ascents and descents over alpine terrain with elevation gains. Participants should be comfortable carrying a 30–40 lb pack for several hours. See Fitness Requirements and our Fitness Guidelines (PDF).
No — campers receive instruction in backpacking techniques, navigation, camp setup, and safety throughout the trip. An active attitude and willingness to learn are more important than previous experience.
Each day includes a morning pack-up, steady hiking between campsites, and team-based leadership rotations. Campers take turns as day leaders, guiding navigation and group pacing. See The Alpine Hiking Journey Experience and Itinerary for more detail.
Yes — friends may register for the same session and request to be grouped together. We do our best to accommodate these requests when space and program logistics allow.
While attending with friends can be fun, we encourage campers to join independently when possible. Coming on their own helps participants build confidence, independence, inclusivity, and new friendships — all key parts of the expedition experience.
Trip leaders are certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and risk management. Meals are wholesome and prepared collectively, with care for allergies and dietary needs. See Safety, Food & Wilderness Protocols for details.
Supervision averages 1 leader for every 4–6 campers. Staff are experienced educators and outdoor leaders trained in navigation, first aid, and group management.
Mountain weather can be unpredictable — the trip runs in rain or shine, but leaders may adjust routes or campsites for safety during storms or extreme conditions. All changes are made with professional judgment and participant well-being in mind.
Register online through the Registration section. Refund and change policies are outlined there and in our General Terms & Conditions. Contact our office if you need help adjusting a registration.
Call 250-888-1622 or use the Contact Us section to reach our team with questions about gear, fitness, or logistics.
If you want to sign up, the process is simple. Here’s what you do:
Fill in your email and create a password
Input your information. This is a one time step, your info will be there for the rest of the summer!
Input your child (or children's information), select the program(s) you wish to register for.
**All personal information provided will not be shared with third parties unless it is relevant to the participants well being or quality of experience**
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, please complete the following contact information survey (takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete) and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days. If you are inquiring about financial assistance, Click here.
WEA climb to new heights, join us!
OK, I am curious about this hiking program!
It's not all complete wilderness....
Just hangin' out on our way up Albert Edward!
I feel like that is Mount Washington but something is missing.....
Wow I made it all the way up here!!
Go team, but we may need a break...
This hike rocks!
There are some flat spots in the mountains...
That looks an aweful lot like a castle frozen in stone.
This trip brought our friendship to new heights!
We have to go all the way up there?!
The beauty of this place is blinding!
We were all the way up there! I guess it's almost all over....
