EXPLORE THE WORLD ON AN OUT-TRIP!

We specialize in a variety of Out-Trips and Camp-Outs specifically designed according to campers’ ages. Campers will spend one to five days on a trip, depending on the camp session they attend.

PLEASE NOTE: The information provided is a general overview of Out-Trips and Camp-Outs. Weather may play a factor in when or where the trips occur. For specific information about individual camp sessions, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with more details.

EXPLORE CREATION ON AN OUT-TRIP!

An Out-Trip (OT) is a camping trip specifically designed to build skills, character, and help campers encounter God in the backcountry. Whatever the OT skill, each adventure is unique and takes place in an age and skill appropriate location.

At Sr. Girls and Sr. Boys all campers go on an OT in the middle of the session. During the first chunk of on-site time campers will spend part of each day preparing for OTs by learning the necessary skills such as camp set up, back-country hygiene, cooking on a camping stove, animal safety, as well as appropriate packing, to make sure they are ready for their adventure. On OT departure day campers, food, camping and personal gear will be transported to the various OT locations.

General OT | Age 12 | 5 days / 4 nights

Campers will spend their time at a base camp either on our adjacent land or camping in established campsites in the Nordegg area; being introduced to basic OT skills such as navigation, camp management, animal safety, fire building and much more! Each day will be different, but will include adventures such as a day hike, playing in a creek, day-ride, scavenger hunts, games, and more.

Combo OT | Age 13 | 5 days/ 4 nights (Sr. Girls ONLY) NEW for 2025

Campers will have the chance to try out all three OT hard skills – horseback riding, hiking, and canoeing. The combo trip is designed to give campers experience in all the areas as well as continue their development of OT skills such as backcountry navigation, cooking, hygiene, and camp management. There will be lots of fun and adventures and campers will have a chance to figure out what they want to focus on for next year.

Daily Adventure OT | Sr. Girls Age 14 | Sr. Boys Ages 13-18 | 5 days/ 4 nights NEW for 2025

We recognize that not all campers want to sleep in tents in the backcountry, so we have introduced a Daily Adventure OT where campers go out and about on adventures during the day but stay in their cabins onsite at night. Campers will still develop basic OT skills such as cooking on a camping stove, navigation, and animal safety. Each day will be different, but may include a hike, river-canoeing, horseback riding, trek to the nearby beach, and more.

OT Choice | Sr. Girls Ages 14 – 18 | Sr. Boys Ages 13-18 | 5 days/ 4 nights

When campers hit the right age, they get to choose which OT skill they want to focus on – backpacking, canoeing, base camping, or horseback riding. Each of these trips are designed to further the skill of choice, as well as develop character, friendships, and have a whole lot of fun in the backcountry.

Hiking Base Camp (Sr. Girls Only)

This OT is all about exploration! After setting up a home base campsite, campers will adventure into the wilderness. They’ll hike along creeks, discover waterfalls or summit mountain peaks, returning to their base camp each night to swap stories around the campfire. These trips take place in the Rocky Mountains surrounding Nordegg.

Canoeing

The truly Canadian way to travel! All equipment and food is packed into canoes and campers travel downstream to new scenes of beauty and adventure every day. Learn how to safely travel on a river, to avoid or navigate rapids, surf a canoe, and swim in whitewater. Days end with new campsites, good food, and falling asleep to the sound of the river. Canoe trips take place on the North Saskatchewan River, with the specific stretch of river being determined based on age and skill.

Backpacking

Experience creeks, lakes, alpine meadows and mountain ridges. Campers will test their endurance by hiking all day long from one campsite to another. Backpacking allows campers to go deeper into the backcountry and experience new challenges and rarely seen wilderness. These trips take place in the Rocky Mountains in the Nordegg area, staging from various locations determined by each groups’ skill level and goals. Participants will move their camp each night and have a true back-country experience.

Riding

Spend days exploring open fields, beautiful forests, and crossing creeks on horseback. Take on the challenge of finding new trails, spend long days in the saddle, enjoy an afternoon watching the clouds while the horses graze, and learn how to care for horses over multiple days. Enjoy evenings around the campfire and under the stars with good food and great friends. Each year will bring new challenges in the trails and horses. Riding trips take place on our land adjacent to Pioneer Ranch (Rocky Mountain House), on Pioneer Lodge (Sundre) land or out of an appropriate staging area, west of Pioneer Ranch.

OVERNIGHT CAMP-OUTS

Overnight Campouts are designed to give campers an introduction to the joys of camping and inspire them to trip the longer Out-trips. All overnight Camp-Outs are held on Pioneer Camp property midweek, with campers leaving mid-afternoon to go to the camp site.

Campers will have the opportunity to explore nature, eat their supper outside, enjoy a campfire in the evening, roast marshmallows, sleep in tents or under the stars (optional & weather dependent) for the night and fall asleep to the sounds of nature! In the morning campers will eat breakfast on the land and head back to camp to finish off the session.

Please Note: Due to the shorter length of Discovery Camp sessions, overnight camp-outs are not part of their schedule.

Hiking Base Camp

This camp is all about exploration! After setting up a home base campsite, each cabin will adventure into the wilderness. They’ll hike along creeks, discover waterfalls or summit mountain peaks, returning to their base camp each night to swap stories around the campfire.

Canoeing

The truly Canadian way to travel! All equipment and food gets packed into canoes and we travel downstream to new scenes of beauty and adventure every day. Learn how to safely travel on a river, to avoid or navigate rapids, surf a canoe, and swim in whitewater. Days end with new campsites, good food and falling asleep to the sound of the river.

Backpacking

Experience creeks, lakes, alpine meadows and mountain ridges. Cabins can test their endurance by hiking all day long or choose to stop and nap in a sunny meadow. Set up a base camp and scramble a peak or move camp each day to discover something new. Returning to backpacking year after year will allow campers to go deeper into the back-country and experience new challenges and rarely seen wilderness.

Warning: campers may get so hooked on backpacking that they never try another out-trip option!

Riding

Spend days exploring on horseback. Take on the challenge of finding new trails, spend long days in the saddle, enjoy an afternoon watching the clouds while the horses graze and learn how to care for horses over multiple days. Ride through open fields, beautiful forests, creeks and mountains. Enjoy evenings around the campfire and under the stars with good food and great friends. Each year will bring new challenges in the trails, horses and even learning to pack!

Importance of Packing Lists

Please pay close attention to the packing lists provided. These items are absolutely necessary for a successful and enjoyable trip. Many of these items can be borrowed from friends, rented or purchased used. If you have any questions or concerns about the out-trips or the packing list, please do not hesitate to contact our out-tripping department.

Note: Trip locations and difficulty are based on the experience and goals of each individual cabin group. We have trips to cater to a wide range of abilities, so whether you want to go all day or stop to smell the flowers, we have a trip for you.