POLARIS Teen Leadership Camp
Hike, Lead, Grow, and Connect- Turning teens into trailblazers
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Leadership, wilderness adventure, and friendships—your journey begins with POLARIS
POLARIS, which stands for Personal Opportunities for Leadership Activities, Recreation, Inclusion, and Social Skills, is a three-week teen leadership program for youth entering grades 7–12. Combining hiking, backpacking, and leadership training, this program focuses on building independence, teamwork, and personal growth. Teens progress through foundational outdoor skills, day hikes, and a final multi-day backpacking trip while fostering meaningful connections and social skills. With an emphasis on integrating independence and initiative, POLARIS prepares campers to take on new challenges both at camp and beyond.
POLARIS at a Glance
- Ages: Teens entering grades 7–12
- POLARIS I: Grades 7–9
- POLARIS II: Grades 10–12
- Focus/Goal: To develop independence, leadership skills, and social connections through outdoor adventures and team-building activities.
- Activities:
- Hiking and backpacking
- Wilderness skill-building (e.g., navigation, fire building, camp setup, etc)
- Leadership and team-building activities
- Transportation: Provided for travel to Overnight Camp, day hikes and overnight backpacking trips
- Intake Criteria: Completion of the Intake Process is required for new campers. Details below
About the Program
POLARIS offers a progressive wilderness adventure designed to foster leadership, social skills, and confidence in teens. The program is split into three distinct weeks:
- Week 1: Overnight Camp at Pioneer Lodge
- Teens begin their journey by developing foundational wilderness skills, building group dynamics, and gaining comfort in nature. Activities include introductory hiking, camping basics, leave-no-trace etiquette, wilderness skill workshops, games, leadership opportunities, and more
- Week 2: Day Hikes and Skill Development at Foothills Academy
- Campers participate in day hikes to Kananaskis and other nearby locations, practicing hiking techniques and refining the wilderness skills needed for their final trip. Leadership activities and group discussions are woven into the week’s schedule.
- Week 3: Multi-Day Backpacking Trip
- The program culminates in an exciting overnight backpacking adventure.
- POLARIS I: 3-day/2-night front-country trip.
- POLARIS II: 4-day/3-night back-country trip.
- This experience puts all learned skills into practice, encouraging independence, resilience, and camaraderie.
Before and After Care
- Hours: 8:00 AM–9:00 AM and 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
- Cost: $25/week for each offering. For example, if you sign up for both before and after care, the charge is $50 per week.
Registration and Intake Process
- Campers with ADHD and/ or Learning Disabilities within the accepted grade/ age range are eligible.
- New Campers: Complete the Intake Process to determine eligibility. Eligible families will receive registration details.
- Returning Campers: Families will receive a direct registration link. A $100 deposit secures your child’s spot.
* Informal interviews with the participants may be organized to get to know them, review their expectations of the POLARIS program and ensure it is a good fit for their goals.
**Once approved, you do not need to re-complete the intake process for subsequent camps or programs. This is only for first-time families.
Financial Accessibility
Camp Amicus is eligible for FSCD funding, and we can bill FSCD directly for camp fees. Families needing additional financial assistance can visit our Financial Accessibility page for support.
POLARIS
Jana has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, and is registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers. She has a history of working with children, youth, and families, and is passionate about early intervention, prevention, and meeting children’s social, emotional, and developmental needs. Jana is trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Traning, and the Nurturing Parenting Program Curriculum. She utilizes a trauma-informed and strength-based approach in her social work practice, aimed at mitigating the effects of trauma, strengthening family resilience, increasing natural supports, and building on existing strengths.
Intake Criteria
Check our Intake Criteria to ensure that we can meet the needs of your child.
New Campers
Intake approval is needed prior to registration. Please complete the Intake Form to begin the process.
Returning Campers:
If your camper has been to Camp Amicus before, do not complete the Intake Form. You can register directly. Please check your email for a registration link.
Camp Amicus is a member of 
Thank you also to all the generous donors who have contributed to the Camp Amicus Bursary Fund: The Prosser Family Foundation, B’Nai Brith and Children’s Hospital Aid Society and many individual donors. With their support, we try to keep Camp Amicus financially accessible to all eligible campers.