Outtrip Programs

Outtrip is an integral part of our camper programs at CQE, and gives campers a chance to challenge themselves and learn new skills in an outdoor environment. All 12-night, 5-night outtrip, and leadership program participants will take part in an outtrip while at CQE.  

Outtripping is a powerful experience that allows campers to develop a deeper appreciation for our relationship with the natural world. It encourages teamwork, builds confidence, and develops leadership skills. Prior to each outtrip, staff will review the necessary skills with campers to ensure they feel prepared.

During CQE outtrips, campers will sleep in tents with their cabinmates, and travel either on foot, or by canoe to and from their camping location. All groups will be provided with the necessary equipment to cook, eat, and sleep while on trip.

For more information specific to leadership outtrips, please refer to the LEADERSHIP programs section. 
 

Outtrips are assigned to cabins based on their age group and skill level and are planned months prior to campers arriving at CQE. Outtrips are assigned to camper cabins as part of a progression, which gradually builds camper confidence and skill level with outtrip with their age and experience. Camper outtrips range from 1-night to 5-nights and can include hiking, canoeing, and portaging.

The following chart provides examples of what types of trips a camper may do based on their cabin’s age group.  

Please note that this chart shows a general example of the type of trip a given age group may be assigned. The trip assigned to an age group may change based on the overall age of campers in a session. For example, if there are more 13-14 year olds than typical, some cabins may do a 4-Night trip while others do a 3-Night trip. 

CQE’s cabin outtrips are primarily located close to camp, in the Honey Harbour area. The cabin trips with younger campers are closest to camp and older campers participate in trips farther away.  

Typical locations for trips include:

• Campsites on Beausoleil Island
• Near McCrae Lake Conservation Area
• Go Home Lake/Musquash River
• Bala and the Moon River
• The Massasauga Provincial Park

Cabin outtrips are scheduled months in advance, and as a result may be subject to change based on environmental factors or camper ability.

CQE’s outtrip locations vary every summer due to environmental factors such as forest fires and water levels. These factors may impact on our ability to run trips in certain locations and may cause outtrip locations to vary year over year, or within the same summer.

Most of CQE’s outtrips will launch their boats and depart directly from CQE, and return the same way. In some circumstances, camp will drive campers to another location to begin and/or end their trip. There is no additional cost for this transportation, as it is built into the initial camp fee. 

While all outtrips are slightly different based on their location and type, here is a general overview of what a typical day on trip may look like:

Morning: Campers and staff will wake up at the typical time and start waking up, brushing their teeth, and getting ready for the day. The counsellors will begin cooking breakfast, while the campers finish packing up their items and tents. Everyone will enjoy some breakfast before heading on the water for a day of canoeing.

Afternoon: The group will spend the morning and early afternoon paddling, and consistently stopping for water and snack breaks. Sometimes groups will have a “floating lunch” on the water, and other times they will eat lunch once they arrive at their campsite. The paddle to site is often full of chatting, singing songs, and playing games to keep everyone’s minds busy. Once the group arrives at their site, they will unload their boats and set up their tents. They will then eat lunch if they haven’t yet, or will read, swim, nap, or play games for the remainder of the afternoon.

Evening: The counsellors will begin to make dinner for the group while the campers collect firewood or spend time together as a group while the food is cooking. After dinner, the group will do their dishes and eat dessert. The remainder of the evening can be spent hanging out around the campfire, singing songs, or stargazing until it is time to return to their tents for the evening. 
 

Safety and wellbeing on trip is the main priority for us at CQE. All outtrips will have at least 2 staff for every 9 campers, both with their Standard First Aid & CPR-C and National Lifeguard at the minimum. Many of our trip staff additional training and certifications including their Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Whitewater Rescue Technician, and Canoe Tripper 3.

All staff bring their phones on trip with them, in addition to a satellite phone. Trips consistently check in with the CQE Outtriping and Office teams if they need anything and can call camp whenever they need to. During outtrip, participants are not able to sent mail and bunk mail, but are able to write home and tell you all about their trip once they return back to camp.

All CQE trips have a planned route card with information such as the nearest evacuation meeting point in case the group needs to be met up with or removed from their trip. Most of our cabin trips can be accessed within 15-30 minutes via our camp motorboats, and some are accessible by car. In the case of an emergency we are able to contact the National Park Service, Provincial Park Service, and coast guard who will assist us as needed. 

Going on outtrip is a different experience than staying at camp, so our CQE Outtripping team makes sure that outtrips have everything they need to have a successful trip. The following chart provides information about some of the major equipment your camper may have on trip with them.

Please see the next section for information about what your camper should bring for their trip. 

Appropriate gear is essential, so please review the specific packing list and let us know if you have any questions. Campers will pack their personal items for their outtrip with their counsellors and cabin to ensure that they have everything they need. The following list provides an example of what to pack for a 2-night canoe trip: 

Required

Strongly Recomend

Optional & Weather Dependent

Outtrip is a highlight of camp for many of our participants, and it is an opportunity for campers to explore the beauty of Georgian Bat, strengthen friendships, and build confidence and independence. To help your camper feel ready and excited, we encourage families to discuss the outtrip experience with their campers to ensure they are prepared and looking forward to the trip! A prepared and positive mindset goes a long way, and embracing new experiences with openness and positivity helps campers have the best experience possible.

Review Packing Together: Involve your camper in the packing process so they understand what they’re bringing and why it is important. This helps them stay organized and feel ownership over their gear. Be sure to follow the camp packing list to ensure your camper is prepared, and feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions!

Focus on Mindset: Outtrips can include moments of challenge—long paddles, unexpected rain, or cooking over a fire. Encourage your camper to approach these situations with a positive attitude and a sense of adventure. Framing challenges as part of the fun helps build resilience and pride.

Trust the Process: Our staff are well-trained in outdoor leadership, safety, and trip logistics. They know how to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every camper can succeed. With encouragement and our guidance, your camper will return from their outtrip feeling accomplished, confident, and connected to themselves and the world around them.