Yes this trip does meet the requirements for the Practice and Qualifying Adventurous Journey. Voyageur Quest works closely with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Office to ensure we are constantly updating our trips to meet the necessary requirements. However, it is important that each student clear the trip with their Award leader as a particular trip may not be qualifying based on previous trips/experiences. 

Hiking boots or stiff trail shoes are required for this trip. A mid-cut over the ankle hiking boot or stiff  trail shoe  provides enough ankle and weight support for hiking with a heavy pack for long periods of time. We recommend not wearing brand new boots as they can cause blisters. Breaking in boots prior to the trip by walking around in them will help them be more comfortable. 

No! Our Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys are designed to be a learning experience for all students! The practice journey allows students the opportunity to learn, ask questions and set goals for their Qualifying Journey. 

Absolutely! Most of the students on our scheduled adventures are solo travellers. It is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and meet new friends. 

There is! Due to the early start of our Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey’s students who require transportation can arrive the night before on the Ontario Northland Bus, stay at our Bunkhouse and have dinner and breakfast on site before beginning the practice and qualifying journey!

Yes! All of our scheduled adventurous journeys include the necessary practice, night off and adventurous journey, along with the proper time period based on the level the student is working towards. 

All meals, park permits, equipment, accommodation and services of a wilderness guide/supervisor and assessor is included in the price. Students are required to bring their own clothing and sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are available for rent and transportation can be arranged for an additional cost. 

The specific clothing suggestions do vary based on the trip and time of year, however each student will be sent a detailed packing list upon their booking. 

Each Duke of Edinburgh trip typically has between 5-8 students on each trip. Guide to student ratio for most trips 1:5-8. Each trip is co-ed and students are typically between 14-21. 

We are happy to accommodate any dietary requirement. We are able to accommodate vegetarian and most allergies at no additional cost. For more speciality diets such as vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free there is an additional cost. Please be sure to describe your requirement in detail when making your booking. For guests who have an anaphylactic allergy, it is required they bring 2 EPI Pens.   

Following the guidelines and recommendations from the Duke of Edinburgh Award office, it is highly discouraged and often does not meet the requirements of the adventurous journey for parents to join the trip. 

Due to our remote location students and guides will complete the report in person at the end of the trip. Students then upload a scanned copy or picture of their report to the Duke of Edinburgh Online Reporting Form. This form should be sent to the Voyageur Quest office directly to be electronically signed off. If you have any questions regarding this process please do not hesitate to contact our office. Due to our remote location students and guides will complete the report in person at the end of the trip and take a picture of it. Students then upload a scanned copy or picture of their report and send it to the Duke of Edinburgh Online Reporting Form. This form should should show our VQ email [email protected] as the assessment authorizing  email with the Director’s name, John Langford, noted on the form (NOT THE GUIDE’S EMAIL). The Duke of Edinburgh office will then send the Director at [email protected] an automatic notification requiring him to electronically sign off on the student’s successful completion of both the practice and qualifying journeys.  

We recommend all of our customers purchase CANCELLATION INSURANCE from their preferred suppliers. Please read the payment and cancellation policies below based on the adventure or product you are booking. 

Voyageur Quest – Guided Trips (Canoe, Kayak, Winter Camping, Private & DOE) and Lodge-Based Adventures – Log Cabin, Cottages and Island and all Cottage and Cabin  Rentals  

Payment Policy. A 25% deposit with “to book” form information confirms the booking. The balance is due 30 days before the trip. Full payment is due for trips booked within 45 days of the trip date. Please note a 2.4% credit card fee is applied. We encourage e transfer or bank wire transfer wherever possible. 
Cancellation Policy. Cancellation received 60 days or more prior to the trip – Full refund minus a $75.00 admin. fee. Cancellation received less than 60 days – Loss of initial deposit. Cancellation received less than 30 days – No refund will be issued without the purchase of cancellation insurance, purchased at the time of booking from your travel insurance provider.

Again, we recommend all of our customers purchase CANCELLATION INSURANCE from their preferred suppliers. 

All our guides are trained and experienced professionals. They are not camp counselors, but mature wilderness guides with a minimum of 40 hours wilderness first aid training, and many have completed post-secondary degrees in this field. 

Yes definitely! There is a minimum 4 people required for a group and a max of 8 people – the price will range based on how many people you have in your group.