Why Take this Program?
Our goal is simple: to improve your mind-body and emotional stamina, while experiencing an adventure of a lifetime as we travel through Quebec’s cities and national parks. In the backcountry you will gain skills camping, cycling, and canoeing. The hands-on application of new skills each day will ignite your energy level and supercharge your brain. We call it a ‘Mind and Body Boot Camp.’
What People Are Saying
I want to give a shout out to the MEI staff for the incredible experience Jesse had on the Adventure Down Under trip. We picked her up at the airport last night and she truly has never been happier. The trip and interaction with the teachers has given her a new perspective on herself and the beautiful world she lives in. We are so grateful to the teachers and the entire team at MEI for providing this experience.
Jennifer Raphael
Parent of Jesse MacMillan, Adventure Down Under 2016
Program Photos
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Program Itinerary
Click the arrows to explore this program’s detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!
Program Preparation
Foundation Work
September 1–September 4
We start our academics with a one-week intense Online Live session where you will meet, virtually, with your instructors and classmates daily. The Foundation Work for the English course consists of reading and discussing assigned novels and short stories, while the IDC Human Dimensions course will get your heart pumping and prepare you for the rigours of our backcountry excursions. We will review MEI’s COVID-19 protocol to ensure we are off to a safe start.
Hockley Valley Resort
September 8
Our journey begins at a resort just north of Toronto. For students flying into Toronto, we will have staff members pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to this location. We will be following MEI’s COVID-19 protocol to minimize interaction with people outside our group. For all other students arriving by car, you will check in between 1 PM and 2 PM. After settling into our rooms, we’ll have our first class and review our schedule for the upcoming weeks. During our first family dinner, you will have time to mingle with our crew and begin the process of building a cohesive team.
The Eastern Townships
September 9–13
We will ease into the program with a morning workout and a hearty breakfast before travelling to the Eastern Townships by private coach. You’ll get to know the people in our ‘travel bubble’ during the ride, as we start to scope out the detailed game plan for our camping, kayaking, and hiking excursions. This location will be where teams are formed, and our crews will gain strength. Being mentored by some of the best guides and teachers in Canada is an extraordinary opportunity to step up your game and engage in life at a higher level.
First Quebec Backcountry Excursion
September 13–16
At the crack of dawn, we’ll depart for our first long paddle of our backcountry journey. We’ll pull into our first site at mid-day, and begin preparing our basecamp for the next three nights. Things get busy as we set up tents and campfires, and prep for a good ol’ fashioned cookout! When you’re out in the wild, it never stops, but planning and focusing your energies every day will become a fluid dance once you get into the rhythm. With a big appetite, we’ll enjoy our first gourmet camp-style meal and a relaxing afternoon before our first English podcast presentation under the stars.
Montreal
September 16–20
After our first backcountry journey, we’ll be ready to return to civilization. After travelling by private coach into downtown Montreal and settling into our apartments, we will quickly dust ourselves off and dress up for a night out at a fine restaurant in Old Montreal. You’ll need to be ready to regale us with your recollections and insights from your recent experience, so this is where your MEI morning journals come in handy. For the next four days, we’ll focus on reading, listening and performing the best literature, poetry, and song that the French culture has to offer. As we stroll down the streets of rue St-Paul and rue Notre-Dame you’ll have time to explore the Museum of Fine Art or cycle along the Vieux-Port. Afternoons can be spent exploring the hipster part of town—the Mile End. Looking for inspiration to write your first creative portfolio piece? Settle into a small cafe, or grab a legendary Schwartz’s Deli sandwich and St-Viateur Bagel and head out for a picnic in a park. Montreal has something for everyone, and you’ll have the independence to choose what to explore and how you want to spend your time.
Laurentian Mountains
September 20–23
Our next expedition will take us into the Laurentian Mountains. Each time we go out, we’ll expand our outdoor skills, so be prepared to paddle a little harder and hike a little further. Testing your mettle is what MEI is all about, and with a good crew and strong commitment, you’ll see how beautiful a rugged challenge can be. You’ll also gain knowledge of the indigenous peoples that lived in these lands for centuries, and lead discussions on a wide range of topics. Leadership and team building is a key part of this program, so students are often responsible for planning evening activities, campfires, and games.
Quebec City
September 23–28
This town is like no other in Canada; you may like Toronto or Montreal, but you’ll love Quebec City, that offers a little bit of Europe! In the early sixteen hundreds,this coastal village began as a trading post, but quickly became the heart and soul of New France. Here you will experience the fusion of old-world culture and modern innovation that highlights all the joie de vie of French Canada. The Old Town is surrounded by a defensive wall that dates back 400 years, and this is the area where we spend most of our time. There is no better way to get to know a city than to get lost in it, so students design scavenger hunts in the Upper and Lower towns to test each other’s ability to navigate and explore. 95% of the population are francophones so it’s a good time to learn a little French and find your way around. To keep in shape while indulging in some of the finest food on the planet, we enjoy cycling excursions and hikes along the St. Lawrence River.
Second Quebec Backcountry + Montreal
September 28–October 3
Fall will be in full glory as we head out on our last outdoor odyssey. Building on the skills and confidence from our previous excursions, we enjoy the paddle and the calm routine of being in the still of nature. Our DSLR cameras and drones provide us with tools to capture insights and images from our trek. Sleep comes easy as the cool nights, warm campfires, and the expectations of another day of grand exploration nurtures the soul.
Upon returning to Montreal, our last days focus on developing independent student projects. This is an exciting time to have in-depth discussions on what you’ve experienced and learned, as your teachers provide one-on-one guidance on your major assignments. On our final night, our crew will perform podcasts showcasing their creative pieces while enjoying an outstanding meal at one the many fine restaurants in the Old Port District.
Return home October 3
Online Live
October 5–9 and 13–16
After our time together, students have eight days to complete your final cumulative projects and prepare for your online presentations and discussions with your teacher. At this time teachers will be holding online discussions and personal guidance to ensure you craft the best presentations possible.
Final Evaluation Week
October 19–23
During this week your teachers will schedule a time for one-one-one presentations and discussions using Zoom. You will also complete an online, interactive examination to demonstrate your level of understanding and skill level for each course. MEI students and teachers have found this style of evaluation not only enjoyable, but the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned and experienced during the term.
Hockley Valley Resort
Eastern Townships
First Backcountry Excursion
Montreal
Laurentian Mountains
Quebec City
Second Backcountry Excursion
What’s Included
Fee Breakdown
Tuition Costs
- Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
- 6:1 Student to Staff Ratio
- Access to Google Classroom
- Custom course pack in the field
- Online Live Foundation Work
Program Costs
- Hotels and accommodations
- Provincial Park Entrance Fees
- Canoes | Tents | Team Camping Gear
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
- Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
- Transportation for all listed program excursions
- MEI journal
- MEI T-Shirt
- Digital yearbook
Program Fee Does Not Include
- Lunches while in cities
- Insurances
- Personal Camping Gear (will provide detailed list)
- Gratuities
- Local Transportation (taxis)
- Course texts
- Medical Insurance and Cancellation Protection†
- Non-refundable $95 Registration Fee
†All students travelling with MEI Academy are required to purchase Medical Insurance.
Ready to take the next step?