Optional Activities
Our goal is to organize activities that encourage interaction in English, are unique to the West Coast, and which encourage group co-operation and fun. We try our best to accommodate student interests and initiatives. Past students have also organized staff sponsors for rollerblading, horseback riding, Shakespeare Festival, Moss Street Paint-In and more. You can bring us your ideas and we’ll try our best to make it happen.
Please note that all dates and costs are subject to change without notice. Students register and pay for their chosen optional activities after SELSA has started.
Kayaking
Cost: $22.00 per session
Time: 2½ hours
These kayaking sessions will take place in the scenic ocean waters of the Gorge and Victoria’s inner harbour. Students will be taught the basic skills of kayaking while they enjoy the beauty of Victoria’s coastal environment.
Mid Island Camping Retreat
Cost: $135.00
Time: Saturday to Sunday
If you love to camp, there’s no better place to be than the Vancouver Island region. While camping, you will have the opportunity to enjoy scenery that is pure BC. The campsite is located next to a crystal clear lake and surrounded by spectacular views.
On this camping trip you will have the opportunity to experience one of Vancouver Island’s most amazing natural wonders. While exploring underground caves you will find beautiful crystal formations, ancient fossils and climb an underground waterfall. At the end of the night you will have the unique experience of retiring to your native style teepee for a peaceful night’s sleep in the fresh BC air.
Adrena Zipline Adventure
Cost: $90.00
Time: Afternoon
If you have ever wanted to fly or overcome your fear of heights this trip is for you. Add some zip to your day as you experience an exhilarating ride up to 60km/hr while you soar over a majestic West coast forest. Adrena Line Zipline Adventure Tours has professionally trained guides who emphasize safety and comfort. The guides will provide you with educational commentary on the local ecology and wildlife as you descend through the forest.
Ziplining involves gliding along a suspended steel cable, using a pulley and climbing harness. The tour lasts approximately two hours.
For more information about ziplining visit Adrena’s web site at www.adrenalinezip.com
Whistler Trip
Cost: $270.00
Time: Weekend
Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Best-known for its downhill skiing, snowboarding and winter wonderland activities, Whistler is actually a year-round destination that’s perfect for hikers and sightseers. Alpine meadows, sprawling glaciers and indigenous wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll experience on Whistler’s hiking and walking trails.
You will have the opportunity to ride the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. This glass bottom sky cabin offers riders a one of a kind adventure and window to Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain top summer. The gondola soars 415 metres above the valley floor and provides riders with a 360 degree view of the rugged mountain peaks.
On the first day of this trip you will be transported from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on a deluxe video equipped motor coach, stop at Shannon falls for some photo opportunities, ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and enjoy some free time in the evening.
The second day offers a guided hike to Lost Lake. This Lake is well known for its sandy beach, grassy fields, and picnic area.
We will be departing at 4:00pm in order to return to Victoria Sunday evening.
Whale Watching
Cost: $75.00
This is a great opportunity to see West Coast marine life up close! Participants travel by boat in search of orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, harbour seals, sea lions, elephant seals, and many bird species. A trained guide accompanies each group. The tour generally lasts 3 to 3.5 hours. Please note that Whale sightings are not guaranteed, but have had excellent luck thus far.
Vancouver Trip
Cost: $110.00
Time: 6:00am – 8:30pm
This is a busy day trip to Vancouver! We’ll start the day with a truly west coast experience, a cruise on the BC Ferries. After arriving in Vancouver the first attraction we will visit is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Just minutes from the bustle of downtown Vancouver the Capilano Suspension bridge offers a unique mix of adventure, culture and history. Visitors can experience the natural beauty of this west 
coast rainforest from suspended bridges that reach up to 100 feet above the forest floor. At the next stop we will visit the Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park. The aquarium is home to 70,000 amazing animals. Visitors can expect to encounter Sea Lions, beluga whales, dolphins and more. Later in the afternoon the students will enjoy some free time shopping in downtown Vancouver before returning to Vancouver Island.
