East Coast High School Journeys
Journey into coastal culture and ecology in Traditional Mi’kmaq Territory / Nova Scotia.
Bring your grade 10-12 students to Canada’s Ocean Playground on a journey of hands-on learning and discovery along Nova Scotia’s South and Eastern shores. You’ll slow down to understand the world through the lens of diverse coastal communities whose cultures, livelihoods and landscapes are shaped by the sea. Perched at the gateway to the 100 Wild Islands, your home base will be The Deanery Project, a world-class Environmental and Arts Learning Centre, referred to as “a living laboratory” with onsite access to ocean, trails, and a community sound studio. With an approach rooted in the Mi’kmaw concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, you’ll gain knowledge of the Wabanaki forest and Atlantic coastal ecosystems while building skills in community leadership, Treaty rights, grass-roots climate resilience and sustainable living.
Howl High Journeys encourage deep learning and create space for youth to connect this back to their understanding of their home communities.
Core Teachings
Maritime Cultural History and ReconciliACTION
Taking an approach that is rooted in relationship, authenticity and storytelling, your students will develop an understanding of colonialism in Mi’kma’ki (Atlantic Canada). They will learn from Elders and Knowledge Holders and engage with community-based reconciliation that is being practiced in real time. Truth, courage, hope, hardship and resiliency are woven into the collective story of this land. Understanding these stories helps us understand ourselves and our country.
Climate Action and Adaptation
Using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, your students gain an understanding of sea level rise and climate change trends, seeing first-hand how systems and communities are working together to adapt, discovering optimism in facing the impacts of a rapidly changing world.
Community Connection and Volunteerism
Your students will be invited into the heart of coastal communities where they will embody what it means to be in community. Whether it’s harvesting eel grass from the beach to use as fertilizer for gardens, or helping a wildlife rehabilitation centre prepare their space for new animals, Howl’s community partnerships are alive with reciprocity, reflecting the needs and values of coastal communities who can’t wait to meet you.
Creative Expression and Wellbeing
Through creative group projects as well as guided personal reflection, your students will come together to learn from mentors, Elders and each other as they explore and hone a new craft, form new friendships, and weave their creative and technical skills with cultural teachings and experiences on the land. Every young person has a creative spark and a story to tell. This program will offer your students a dedicated space to strengthen the light they carry.
Book a Program
We are currently booking trips for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Please email info@experiencehowl.com if you are interested in getting more information and bringing a group out to experience the Maritimes.
How it works
Seasons & Timing: East Coast High School Journeys run in two seasons
Spring (May – June) and
Fall (September – October)
Duration: 5, 6 or 7-day programs available.
Logistics: All-inclusive — ground transportation, lodging, meals, gear, facilitators, activities. Note: Groups are responsible for booking their own return flights to/from Halifax International Airport (YHZ).
Group Size: 20-22 students + 2 teachers/school-based chaperones.
Customization: Trip itineraries in the Maritimes are highly customizable in both content (themes/activities) as well as length (timing/duration). Schools can request emphasis on biology, ocean literacy, ReconciliACTION, Indigenous culture and history, social studies, outdoor education, music, the arts, and more.
Dates & Pricing
Session: Fall 2026
Date Range Availability: September -October
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Pricing: Coming November 2025
Session: Spring 2027
Date Range Availability: May – June
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Pricing: Coming November 2025
Session: Fall 2027
Date Range Availability: September - October
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Pricing: Coming November 2025
What will we do?
Program itineraries are designed to focus on Howl’s core teachings mentioned above. There is flexibility for groups to cater the program design to their specific needs and interests. The full selection of options (at this time) for activities is listed below. Activities can be seasonal and availability will vary. This list will be continually under review as more activities become available or are rotated out.
Once you’ve confirmed your group’s attendance Howl staff will request your activity preferences and build them into a once in a lifetime trip plan!
Sample Itinerary & Activities
Below is a sample menu. Your itinerary will be co‑designed and is highly customizable.
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Arrival in Halifax; opening circle; greeting the Ocean, orientation of The Deanery Project; evening storytelling & introductions
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Community Action; Get your hands dirty helping a community partner as students learn first-hand what it means to take action on a local issue
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The Great Harbour AKA Kjipuktuk (Halifax); discover Atlantic Canada’s largest city with ferry rides as you explore a city shaped by hope and conflict
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Coastal Ecology: partner‑led habitat restoration and a visit to Peggy’s Cove, exploring intertidal zones and hiking coastal trails
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Created to Create: From podcasting to poetry, digest your learning through a variety of creative workshops utilizing The Deanery’s studio space
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Two-eyed-seeing: Receive tales and teachings from local knowledge holders as you prepare to share your own story at Open Mic Night
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Farewell to Nova Scotia; Closing circle and ceremony. Departure from Halifax International Airport.
What to Expect
Howl High programming is designed to take students out of their everyday learning environments, and immerses them in real life examples of their curriculum in action. We believe:
The outdoors is the best classroom
Impactful learning comes from moving, doing and exploring through personal experience
Hearing diverse perspectives provides more holistic understanding
Howl provides young people with safer spaces to build meaningful relationships, find their voice as changemakers in their own communities, learn from local Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Holders, scientists in the fields of climate and ecological systems, industry experts and community leaders and empowers youth to proactively take ownership of their wellbeing.
At Howl High, stories and studies carry equal weight and value. Learning takes place through action, immersed in the outdoors and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia).
Howl High offers multi-day, overnight experiences focused on creating opportunities for community building, personal wellness and resiliency. Howl High brings important concepts like climate and reconciliation - which are studied, but not often truly learned at school. Howl brings all of this to life through living connections to curricular concepts.
Howl High programs in Mi’kma’ki (The Maritimes) are designed and delivered with consideration of these guiding principles:
Etuaptmumk (Two-eyed seeing): pronounced [eh-doo-op-de-mumk] Etuaptmumk is the Mi'kmaw term for "Two-Eyed Seeing”, a guiding principle for combining Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to gain multiple perspectives. Developed by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, it encourages using both ways of knowing to achieve a richer understanding and find more beneficial outcomes. Howl programs braid narratives - connecting stories and views students understand with ones they may not have heard before. Students will learn about scientific concepts through both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing, developing their ability to understand the world and appreciate diverse perspectives.
Netukulimk: pronounced [neh-doo-goo-limk] is a Mi'kmaq concept that refers to living sustainably and prospering without jeopardizing the environment for future generations. It is a deep understanding of one's interdependence with the natural world, emphasizing the need for balance and respect in resource management for individual and community well-being.
Wise Practices: Wise practices are locally appropriate actions, tools, principles or decisions that help to ensure programming meets the needs of participants and communicates to them in culturally appropriate ways.
Frequently asked questions.
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Key Deadlines:
For Fall 2026 Session: confirm by March 31, 2026
For Spring 2027 Session: confirm by November 30, 2026
If you miss the booking deadline and still want to apply we encourage you to reach out. If calendar space allows, we will attempt to add a booking. Bookings can not be made fewer than 4 months prior to the start date of the Program.
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Submit a booking inquiry by emailing info@experiencehowl.com. A member of our team will be in touch with you to learn more about your program needs and to answer any questions.
Attend an information meeting with Howl staff
Co‑design draft itinerary
Sign agreement & pay deposit (non-refundable)
Final numbers, participant list, and full payment due 120 days before start
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• Cancel >120 days before: full refund minus deposit
• Cancel <120 days: non-refundable fees
• Howl‑initiated cancellation (weather, safety): full refund
• Late individual withdrawals: no guarantee of refund -
Yes, schools should carry travel or emergency medical insurance for participants.
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Yes, schools may substitute participants prior to program start.
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In the event that a participant withdraws from the Program with short notice, after payment for their spot has already been accounted for, Howl will retain the non-refundable deposit and all program fees paid. The School should do their best to replace the participant and maintain numbers.
No refund will be made if a participant is asked to leave the Program for violating school conduct regulations or for any other reason determined by the School, acting reasonably.
Program partners.
