Wilderness Union Toronto - Outdoor Adventure and Hiking Club

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Learn the timeless skill of building functional, practical and well-insulated shelters from camping gear and natural materials found in the wild!

For all of human history, shelter has been essential for protection, warmth, and survival. Learning how to read the land, choose the right materials, and construct an effective shelter in a way that does not negatively impact the local ecosystem requires knowledge, creativity, and hands-on practice.

In this course we will teach you skills for creating shelters and insulations in wilderness situations. We will discuss shelter and insulation principles, basics of thermoregulation, basic improvised cordage concepts for construction, and how to determine what kind of structures are necessary for various scenarios.

We will be practicing these skills in ways that promote sustainability, ethical conservation principles, and respect for our natural landscapes.

After two sold-out Firecraft courses, we are so excited to be back with the next incredible course in our Survivalist Series. You’ll begin to master the craft of shelter building with expert, hands-on guidance from our seasoned survival instructor and wilderness guide, Kyle.

You'll be taught and encouraged to practice:
1. Identifying and selecting safe and effective shelter locations
2. Building debris shelters, improvised portable bedrolls, and tarp-based structures
3. Insulation, weatherproofing, and heat retention techniques

This course will give you the foundation to build reliable shelters in a variety of environments and conditions.

Who it’s for: This course is for beginners and intermediate survivalists alike. Bring your curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a love of getting outside. This is an amazing opportunity not only to learn from our expert, but it's a fun, practical lesson at a uniquely low price.

About this series: The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable, and life-saving skills in the wilderness. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses coming soon!

Highlights
Survivalist Skills Training: Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild.
Expert Instructors: Our amazing expert guides will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and fun way
Sustainable Skills-Building: Shelters will be built without falling live trees or negatively impacting the natural environment

Event cost: $80+HST - optional transport available.
Register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com

This event is open to all - you'll just need to register for this event our website to confirm your place.

We've teamed up with the legendary Quizmaster Jess team and MEC to bring you a night dedicated entirely to the backcountry. Expect a room full of people who would rather be in a tent than a cubicle, battling it out over survival stories, epic expeditions, and gear knowledge.

Why You Should Be There:
- The Prize. We've got 3 prize packs of premium outdoor gear worth over $400 to give away courtesy of MEC.
- The Community. You'll get to meet a crew who have big plans to explore this summer.
- The Hosting. Analisa from the Quizmaster Jess team is at the helm, bringing seven years of expertise to ensure the night is filled with banter, curveballs, and great energy.

What to Expect
High-Stakes Competition. Multiple rounds of nature-adjacent trivia spanning roughly two hours of gameplay.
Solo-Friendly Setup. We specialize in matching solo adventurers with friendly teams because the best stories usually start with meeting a stranger.
‍Great Food and Drinks. Saint John’s Tavern offers a full pub menu and a wide selection of drinks available at your table throughout the entire evening.

Highlights
MEC Prizes. Quizmaster Jess Team. Meet the Crew.

Event cost: from $9 + HST
Register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Join us for this 10km trek through the quiet, stunning wilderness of Muskoka.
We'll be exploring the edge of Algonquin Provincial Park in a little-known spot with pristine lakes, budding forests, and incredible rocky landscapes.
As we hike along the trail and trace the edge of a crystal-clear lake, you can expect:

• Dense, old-growth forests where towering trees create a dramatic canopy overhead
• Ancient granite cliffs rising up from the shoreline, carved by glaciers over millions of years.
• Possible glimpses of wildlife like deer, beavers, and all sorts of birds that call this place home.

One of the coolest parts of the hike is getting to see the raw beauty of the Canadian Shield up close. We'll stop at several lookout points where you can take in the incredible panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.

There's a mix of terrain, including boardwalks, rocky sections, and well-maintained paths, which is suitable for any moderately fit hiker.

Highlights
Stunning Views - Enjoy wild views of the iconic Canadian Shield at the many lookout points along this hike
Floating Boardwalk - Stroll across a beautiful floating boardwalk along the lake’s edge
Sprawling Forest Reserve - With over 10,000 acres and 70+ trails, this hidden gem has so much to offer

Event cost: $60+HST - optional transport available.
Register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Learning how to embrace the cold and manage its risks is key to enjoying the Canadian outdoors all year ‘round.

In this adventure, we will combine hiking in a rugged winter landscape with skill-building challenges, teaching you how to thrive in cold conditions. You will learn:

• How to dress and act to stay warm and healthy during outdoor activities in cold conditions
• The basics of preventing, recognizing, and responding to hypothermia and frostbite
• How to recognize hazardous ice and snow, and what to do in case of accidental immersion in frozen water
• Optionally (and weather/conditions permitting), you could take on the challenge of a real cold plunge in a frozen lake, with expert guidance and safety planning.

This course is led by Sarah, our amazing guide and medical doctor who has experience as a first responder in remote environments and expertise in simulation-based teaching of emergency skills.

Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.

Included: Essential cold-weather items to add to your personal first aid kit, including a hypothermia blanket and ‘Cold Card’.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to spend time outdoors with confidence in all four seasons! No previous first aid experience is required. For those with prior wilderness first aid training, or other healthcare experience, this workshop is an opportunity to gain valuable extra repetitions honing your skills in a realistic outdoor environment.

About this series: The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable and life-saving skills in the outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses on many other topics as they become available.

Due to limited parking at the course location, WU transport is strongly recommended. We cannot guarantee safe parking for your vehicle.

Highlights
Survivalist Skills Training: Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild.
Expert Instructors: Our amazing expert guides will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and fun way.
Cold Exposure Kit Included: Each participant will get a ‘cold card’ and an emergency blanket to add to their medical kits.

Event cost: $90+HST - optional transport available.
Register here.

About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people.

Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad.

Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming!

Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com