Policies and Procedures

Booking Information + Policies and Procedures – Revised June 2025

Ridge Wilderness Adventures Ltd.

Booking Info, Policies & Procedures

The important stuff — made simple.

Booking & Registration

Public Programs + Courses

  • Full payment = your spot is locked in. Welcome aboard!

Private Programs

  • A 50% deposit secures your booking dates. (please see private program cancellation details listed below)
  • Final balance due the day before your program/course start date

Waivers

All participants must complete a waiver before joining any Ridge program.

You can:
Fill it out online (a link will be sent with your registration package)
Bring a printed copy with you
Email it to: info@exploreridge.com

Need a copy? It’s always available on our website.

Gear & Clothing

You’re responsible for bringing all the required items listed in your gear checklist.

Need help sourcing gear or want to rent? Just ask — we’re happy to help!

For Duke of Edinburgh Participants:
Showing up without the required gear means we’ll have to send you home — and no refunds will be issued.

For Parents/Guardians:
Please be on time for drop off and pick-up. A $50 late fee applies for every 30 minutes past your scheduled time.

Health & Dietary Needs

Let us know at least 14 days before your trip if you or anyone in your group has:

  • Allergies
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Medical conditions
  • Recent injuries

We want everyone to be safe and comfortable — the more we know, the better we can prepare.

For Duke of Ed participants, you receive a participant information form linked with your online waivers which will ask for any dietary restrictions and allergies to be addressed.

Weather Policy

Rain or shine — the adventure goes on!

If extreme or unsafe conditions arise, we may postpone or adjust the program.

If you’re unable to reschedule within the calendar year, your credit will remain valid for one year from your original booking date.

Behaviour Policy

Respect and safety come first.

If a participant’s behaviour puts the group at risk, we may remove them from the program — no refunds.
Any additional costs (transport, staffing, etc.) related to their removal will be the responsibility of the participant, parent/guardian, or group organizer.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Private Programs

(e.g. Duke of Edinburgh, Overnight Canoe Trips, Floating Classrooms, Day Paddles)

    • 30+ days before: Refund minus a $30 administration fee
  • Less than 30 days: No refund

First Aid, Survival, Custom & Canoe Courses

  • 30+ days before: Full refund minus $30 admin fee
  • 14–29 days before: Refund minus 50% deposit
  • Less than 14 days: No refund

Public Programs

Duke of Ed, Day Trips, Overnight Adventures etc.

  • 30+ days before: Refund minus a $30 admin fee
  • Less than 30 days: No refund

First Aid, Survival, Custom & Canoe Courses/Programs (Public):

  • 15+ days before: Full refund minus $30 admin fee
  • 14+ days before: Refund minus 25% deposit
  • Less than 14 days: No refund

Rescheduling Policy

  • 15+ days before: No rescheduling fee
  • 7–14 days before: 25% rescheduling fee (based on program cost)
  • 6 days or less: 50% rescheduling fee
  • No-shows: 50% of course fees required to reschedule to a new course date

What happens if RIDGE needs to cancel/postpone a public program or course:

Programs/Courses typically need a minimum of 6 participants. If we don’t hit that number by the registration deadline, we may have to cancel or postpone.

But no worries — you can:

  • Keep your full payment as a credit
    • Switch to another date or course
    • Request a full refund

Illness, Injury, & Unforeseen Circumstances

Need to cancel due to illness, injury, or unexpected events (hello, global pandemics)?
No stress — we’ll keep your payment as a credit for up to one year from your original program/course date, valid for:

The same type of program/course
The same duration as your original booking

Didn’t Pass Your Course?

Not to worry — you get one free re-take during any public course, based on instructor availability.

Private make-up sessions with a qualified instructor are available too (extra fees apply).

Group Bookings

Day Programs / Private First Aid Courses

  • Final participant numbers are due no less than 14 days before your trip.

Overnight Programs

  • Final numbers are due no less than 30 days before your trip.
  • You can still add more participants after that, but no reductions will be accepted for billing and planning purposes.

School & Youth Groups

    • Youth rates apply when adult leaders make up 25% or less of the group.
  • If more than 25% of your group are adults, they’ll be billed at the full adult rate.

Waivers for Group Bookings

Each participant must have a completed Waiver or Acknowledgement of Risk (AOR) form.
These will be provided as both a digital link and a PDF in your registration package.

You can submit waivers:
Online via the WaiverFile Link
In-person on the day of your program

Important Notes for Group Organizers:

  • Missing waivers? You’ll get a 30-minute grace period to track them down. After that, the trip will need to continue without those participants. A responsible adult must remain behind with the youth.
  • Group Organizers will be invited to create an account to access their group’s WaiverFile event — so you can monitor submissions ahead of time.