Business Owners
Graduates from Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism are hard-working, adventurous, and creative: exactly what is needed to be a successful entrepreneur. Click on the links below to find out more about the many adventure and educational businesses run by ORPT alumni.
Cusheon Lake Resort is located on the second largest lake on Salt Spring Island off the coast of beautiful British Columbia. It offers accommodations to suit all types of travelers, and a wide range of outdoor activities for on the lake and on the shores. Cusheon Lake Resort is operated by ORPT alumnus of ‘03, Glendon Tremblay. https://www.cusheonlake.com/
Equinox Yukon
Located in Whitehorse Yukon, Equinox Yukon believes adventure is good for you! Christopher Gishler graduated from ORPT in 1993. Equinox offers programs in both summer and winter ranging from ice climbing and rock climbing to zip lining to team building activities to summer camps for kids. They offer many different options from one day or drop-in activities to weekly sessions, whether you are a beginner or experienced climber, they have climbing and adventure options for you! https://equinoxyukon.com
Free Spirit Forest and Nature School
Free Spirit Forest and Nature School is conveniently located as southern Georgian Bay’s only NFP Forest school with programs in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Meaford, and Duntroon Ontario. Matt Simpson graduated in 2009 from ORPT and is a director and founder of Free Spirit Forest and Nature School. They have programming options for all ages, including adults! Make sure to check them out for summer camps, school year programs, PA days, workshops, and so much more. https://fsforestschool.com/
Mad River Paddle Co.
Mad River Paddle Co. is located in the Madawaska River and Ottawa Valley. They offer everything you’d need to be out on the water paddling. From kayak, SUP, and canoe sales, to sunnies and wearable art, to rentals and lessons, they truly have it all! Tana Smith HBOR grad (2003) is the owner and operator of this brand new business, established 2021. https://www.madriverpaddleco.com/
Mountain Biking in Halmstad
Mountain Biking in Halmstad is an adventure cycling business owned by Fin Madden, a graduate of 2002. They offer tours, rentals, gear, and trail guides from Simlaⷪngsdalen, Sweden. You can choose from pre-planned tours to personalized trips depending on you and your group needs and wants. With Mountain Biking in Halmstad your possibilities are almost infinite. https://mountainbikinginhalmstad.com/
Naturally Literate
Naturally Literate Reading Clinic, located in Thunder Bay! Not in the region? Not to worry: Naturally Literate offers digital reading remediation too, their service is just a click away now providing literacy specialist services provincially and nationally. Julia Postigo-Rombola is the founder of Naturally Literate, and graduated in 2015 from Lakehead University’s School of ORPT. Naturally Literate focuses on teaching literacy to all; specializing in students with Dyslexia, ADHD, and other neuro-divergencies. She has made a point of infusing lesson with multi-sensory, kinetic, and nature-based curriculum. Any lesson has the opportunity to be in nature and conducted with a land-based lens. https://www.naturallyliterate.org/
Outdoor Skills And Thrills
Outdoor Skills And Thrills' founder, director, and lead climbing guide is Aric Fishman who graduated in 2012. Outdoor Skills And Thrills is located in Thunder Bay with guided adventures and courses throughout the area of Northwestern Ontario. They have all the gear necessary for ice and rock climbing, and can support any level of experienced climber. If guided climbing isn’t your thing, Aric also authored the Thunder Bay Climbing guidebook so you can get in on the secret of beautiful climbing in NWO. https://outdoorskillsandthrills.com/
Spirit of the West Adventures
Spirit of the West Adventures, is located in Heriot Bay of Quadra Island, a small island nestled between Vancouver Island and British Columbia mainland. They offer kayaking tours in Chile, Bahamas, and of course, many coastal options in British Columbia. They are also willing to create custom and private trips and tours. Spirit of the West Adventures is owned and operated by ORPT alumni (2002) Breanne Quesnel and Rick Snowdon. https://www.kayakingtours.com/
Such A Nice Day Adventures (S.A.N.D. Adventures)
Such A Nice Day Adventures is an outdoor adventure and education company is based in Northwestern Ontario along the Canadian North shore of Lake Superior. Zack Kruzins graduated in 2008 and is the owner and lead instructor of S.A.N.D Adventures. They offer a range of kayaking courses and clinics, day trips, expeditions including certification options, and even a guide book about kayaking in the region. S.A.N.D. Adventures instructors are passionate about Lake Superior and the North shore, they work to highlight the beauty and ecological wonders of the area and each trip. Whatever your kayak needs are S.A.N.D. Adventures has an option for you! https://suchaniceday.com/
Wright’s Wilderness Camp
Wright’s Wilderness Camp is located in the serene and secluded area of Gullrock Lake, just south of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. HBOR graduate of 2004, Stephanie McGurk Wright, runs the long-standing fishing camp with her husband Lee. Wright’s Wilderness Camp is ideally located as a gateway to some of Northern Ontario’s best walleye and northern pike fishing. Wright’s Camp also focuses on sustainability and conservation to maintain high levels of productivity. http://www.wrightswildernesscamp.com/
1000 Islands Kayaking
1000 Islands Kayaking, located in Gananoque Ontario, is perfect for enjoying the St. Lawrence River. 1000 Island Kayaking offers paddling certification courses and skill development for all experience levels of kayakers. Additionally they have guided tours available from half-day tours to multi-day camping tours. If you didn’t think that was enough, 1000 Islands Kayaking also provides boat tours, shuttle service, and rentals of equipment. Scott Ewart graduated in 2003, is the owner of this full service company. https://1000islandskayaking.com/