Unstuck, Empowered, and Inspired: Your Story Begins Here

Do you have big ideas and dreams but feel stuck, anxious, or unsure about what’s next? Would you describe yourself as neurodivergent or navigating a challenging season of life?

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

You can travel, explore, and feel supported every step of the way.

Our founder, Jeff “Willy” Willis, has spent a considerable amount of time there, building relationships and learning directly from communities across the country. There’s something about Colombia—its energy, warmth, and resilience—that stays with you. It’s a place that doesn’t pretend to be perfect, but instead shows what it means to rebuild, reimagine, and move forward with purpose. At Fireside, Colombia continues to call us back.

This experience brings together the strengths of Vancouver Counselling and Wellness (VCAW) and Fireside Adventures in a thoughtful, grounded way—combining counselling-informed support with outdoor, experiential learning. VCAW contributes deep expertise in supporting individuals through anxiety, identity exploration, and life transitions, while Fireside creates immersive environments where growth happens through real-world experience.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to parts of the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and vibrant urban centres like Bogotá and Medellín. It’s also a country that has faced immense challenges—yet through it all, Colombians have never surrendered their hope, dignity, or sense of identity. That spirit is something you feel the moment you arrive.

PLUS is designed for Gen Z travellers who benefit from additional support, a lower-stimulation environment, and connection with like-minded peers. Whether you’re neurodiverse or simply needing a more intentional way to engage with the world, this program creates space to grow at your own pace.

With skilled, empathetic instructors and daily coaching support, participants are guided to build confidence, manage overwhelm, and step into new experiences with care and encouragement.

“Colombia is a country that doesn’t give up.” — Gabriel García Márquez

Join us for one of our most ambitious and meaningful cultural travel experiences yet: Colombia in 14 days. This is a powerful journey through a country defined not only by its beauty but by its resilience, creativity, and transformation. From the lush coffee regions to the high Andes and into the dynamic energy of Bogotá and Medellín, this experience invites participants to see South America through a climate, culture, and community lens that shifts perspective in lasting ways.

In Bogotá, Colombia’s capital perched high in the Andes, students explore a city rich in history, art, and political significance. From the cobblestone streets of La Candelaria to powerful museums and cultural spaces, Bogotá offers a window into Colombia’s past and present that is complex, layered, and evolving.

In Medellín, once known for its challenges, participants will witness one of the most inspiring urban transformations in the world. Today, Medellín stands as a global example of innovation, community-driven change, and resilience—where public spaces, transportation, and education have reshaped the city’s future. It’s a place that shows what’s possible when people invest in hope and progress. Beyond the cities, the journey takes us into Colombia’s coffee-growing regions and natural landscapes, where participants connect with the land, learn about sustainable agriculture, and engage directly with local communities.

Let’s go learn on the land, in the city, and alongside the people who are shaping its future. Colombia is calling!

Travel P.L.U.S. – Adventure with Support, Built for Gen Z

We believe every young person deserves the chance to see, feel, and experience the world. Gen Z Travel P.L.U.S. is designed for participants who might benefit from a little extra support, patience, and understanding, whether they may be neurodiverse, navigating life challenges, or simply seeking a more grounded and supported way to explore.

Adventure doesn’t mean being thrown in the deep end. At Fireside, adventure means being met where you’re at, supported daily, and guided forward so you can expand your comfort zone.

P.L.U.S. = Purpose • Leadership • Understanding • Support

• Purpose: Travel with meaning, not pressure

• Leadership: Build confidence through small, achievable wins

• Understanding: Trauma-aware, neurodiverse-informed instruction

• Support: Daily coaching, check-ins, and a lower-stimulation environment

One Country, More Purpose

Journey through Colombia in a way that prioritizes pace, presence, and personal growth. Explore cloud forests, crater lakes, and volcanoes before moving to coffee highlands, wax-palm valleys, and vibrant urban centres.

People First, Always

We travel with communities, not just through them. Learn Kichwa words in the Amazon, try weaving and cacao making, and hear firsthand stories of resilience like Medellín’s neighbourhood transformation or Bogotá’s evolving, bike-forward culture.

Wild + Urban, Balanced

Ride the streets of Bogota, and hike Andean ridgelines—then shift into city life: cable cars, markets, plazas, and music scenes that show how people adapt, create, and thrive.

Travel P.L.U.S. is about creating space—space to breathe, to grow, and to experience the world in a way that feels safe, supported, and real.

Colombia – A Deeper Way to Travel

Go deep in nature
From rainforest trails and river systems to the high-altitude páramo (often called the Andes’ “water towers.”), journey through Colombia’s diverse ecosystems. Along the way, learn how these landscapes store carbon, regulate climate, and supply water to millions of people.

Live the culture
This is not surface-level travel. Stay in homestays with local and Indigenous families, help prepare traditional meals, learn everyday Spanish phrases, and develop hands-on skills such as weaving, carving, and chocolate-making.

Meet change-makers
Connect directly with individuals leading meaningful change: reforestation teams, river guardians, and youth leaders who are transforming their communities through creativity, education, and resilience.

Build real skills
Develop practical, transferable skills including expedition planning, navigation, risk awareness, urban transit confidence, and storytelling. Participants will also create a short “Through-the-Lens” mini-documentary (2–3 minutes) to capture their journey and voice.

Pre-Departure Learning & Preparation

Before departure, participants take part in a structured pre-trip program that includes:

• 8 hours of online Spanish learning

• 8 hours of 1:1 coaching with a Latin American instructor

This preparation builds foundational language skills while introducing mindfulness and reflection tools to support emotional readiness, confidence, and group connection throughout the experience.

Climate literacy that sticks:
You won’t just hear about climate change, you’ll see it in glaciers, forests, and streets, and learn what communities are doing right now.

Cultural humility and connection:
Respect, reciprocity, and real friendships, because the best memories are made around kitchen tables and campfires.

Leadership you can trust:
Confidence, purpose, and a plan so you return as a Gen Z Traveller ready to lead at school, at home, and in your community.

Come with curiosity. Leave with courage.

This journey is supported and co-led by Matty Devenish (founder of VCAW) and other very talented counsellors from VCAW, who provide wellness guidance, facilitate reflection sessions, and ongoing support throughout the expedition. Matty has been working with young people for 20 years in various settings and brings a unique blend of adventure, playfulness, humour and levity as well as mentorship, encouragement, support and deep conversations aimed to expand one’s sense of themselves and their lives. Matty believes that a solid balance between fun/adventure and challenges/growth can lead to life-changing experiences.

Their presence ensures participants have safe spaces for personal growth, open dialogue, and mental-health awareness woven into each stage of the adventure.

Day 1 – Arrival in Bogotá | Grounding + Arrival Support

Participants will be personally greeted by Fireside instructors at the airport upon arrival and supported through a smooth transfer to our comfortable, centrally located hotel. Bogotá, sitting high in the Andes at over 2,600 metres, can feel both energizing and a little overwhelming at first—so we intentionally keep this day slow, supported, and low-pressure.

After settling in, the group will gather for a gentle orientation and welcome ceremony, designed to help everyone land, connect, and begin easing into the experience. This includes introductions, light snacks, and a short check-in circle to set intentions for the journey ahead.

The evening is kept low-stimulation and flexible, allowing time to rest, manage jet lag, and adjust to the new environment. Support is available throughout, ensuring each participant feels comfortable, safe, and grounded as the journey begins.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin easing into the rhythm of Bogotá—a vibrant, high-altitude capital known for its rich history, creative energy, and layered identity.

The morning focuses on exploring La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic heart. Walking through its cobblestone streets, colourful colonial buildings, and lively plazas, participants are introduced to the city’s story—touching on Indigenous roots, Spanish influence, and modern-day transformation. Along the way, we pause in local cafés, practice basic Spanish phrases, and build comfort navigating a new cultural environment.

Lunch will be at a popular local café, offering a chance to try new Colombian dishes in a relaxed, welcoming setting. In the afternoon, we introduce a light, confidence-building salsa session—not about performance, but about stepping into something new with curiosity and courage. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to connect with Colombian culture while building personal confidence. Throughout the day, instructors will guide participants through how to travel safely and respectfully in Colombia—including situational awareness, group movement, and cultural norms. We also provide a short history overview of the regions we’ll be visiting to help ground the experience in context.

The focus of the day is simple:
build confidence, find your bearings, and take your first steps into the journey—supported every step of the way.

Days 3 & 4 – Bogotá | Culture, Movement + Confidence in the City

These two days deepen our connection to Bogotá, blending culture, movement, and growing independence—always with the steady support of our P.L.U.S. framework.

A highlight is experiencing Bogotá’s world-famous Ciclovía, where over 100 km of streets are closed to cars and opened to cyclists, runners, and walkers every weekend. It’s one of the most inspiring examples of a city reimagining public space. Participants will bike through vibrant neighbourhoods, building confidence in navigating an international city while moving with thousands of locals in a safe, energised environment.

We’ll explore key cultural landmarks, including:

• Plaza de Bolívar, the historic and political heart of Colombia

• The elegant Teatro Colón, one of the most important theatres in Latin America

• The world-renowned Gold Museum, showcasing pre-Columbian history and craftsmanship

We’ll also spend time in Usaquén, a charming district known for its weekend flea market—offering local crafts, street food, and a relaxed atmosphere to explore, connect, and practice Spanish in real-world settings.

Throughout these days, participants continue to build urban travel skills, cultural awareness, and personal confidence—supported by instructors through check-ins, flexible pacing, and opportunities to pause when needed.

The intention is to move beyond sightseeing and into something deeper:
feeling capable, connected, and increasingly at ease in a new environment.

Day 5 – Transition to Coffee Region | Slow Travel + Settle In

Today we leave the energy of Bogotá and head into Colombia’s lush coffee region (Eje Cafetero)—a place known for rolling green hills, misty mountains, and some of the best coffee in the world. We are taking a comfortable coach.

The journey to Salento is part of the experience—watching the landscape shift from city to countryside. Once we arrive, we settle into a comfortable boutique hotel or eco-lodge, surrounded by nature and designed to feel calm, welcoming, and restorative.

This is an intentionally slow day. There’s time to unpack, breathe, journal, and check in—helping everyone regulate after travel and transition. In the evening, we gather for a relaxed group dinner, share stories, and begin to lean into the rhythm of rural Colombia.

Day 6 – Cocora Valley | Nature, Breath + Big Views

We head into the breathtaking Cocora Valley, home to Colombia’s iconic wax palm trees—the tallest palm trees in the world, rising dramatically into the clouds.

Today is about getting outside, moving gently, and reconnecting. The hike winds through lush valleys, river crossings, and open landscapes that feel almost unreal. Along the way, we pause often—taking in the views, slowing the pace, and creating space for grounding and reflection.

There’s a light, easygoing feel to the day. No rush. No pressure. Just fresh air, movement, and connection—to the land, the group, and yourself.

Later in the day, we begin to explore Colombia’s coffee culture—learning why it’s considered among the best in the world. From altitude and climate to traditional growing methods and hand-picking techniques, students start to understand that coffee here isn’t just a drink—it’s a way of life and a point of pride.

This is Colombia at its most peaceful and powerful.

Day 7 – Coffee Farm | Farm to Cup Experience

Today we step fully into Colombia’s world-renowned coffee culture with a visit to a local working coffee farm in the Salento region. This is a hands-on, immersive experience—walking the fields, learning how coffee is grown at high altitude, and understanding why Colombia produces some of the most respected coffee in the world.

Participants will learn about the full journey of coffee: from planting and harvesting to washing, drying, and roasting. There will be opportunities to try picking beans (season dependent), followed by a guided coffee tasting session, where students learn how to identify flavour notes, aromas, and the impact of altitude, soil, and climate.

The day also includes shared meal preparation, connecting food, land, and culture. It’s practical, collaborative, and grounded—building life skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for the people and processes behind what we consume every day.

Day 8 – Cocora Valley & Andes Foothills | Hiking + Reflection

We return to the landscapes surrounding Cocora Valley, taking a deeper and more expansive look at the region with a gentle-paced hike into the Andes foothills.

The towering wax palm trees—Colombia’s national tree—create a surreal and iconic backdrop. Some reach heights of over 60 metres, growing only in this unique high-altitude ecosystem. These landscapes play a critical role in water systems and biodiversity, making them both beautiful and essential.

The pace today is intentionally slow and supportive. We focus on breathing, movement, and connection—pausing often for reflection, conversation, and simply taking it all in. This is a day to build quiet confidence, emotional regulation, and presence.

Day 9 – Travel to Medellín | Reset + Reflect

We begin the day with travel out of the coffee region, making our way to Bogotá before connecting onward to Medellín. This is a transition day, and we approach it with care—building in time, flexibility, and support throughout.

Upon arrival in Medellín, we settle into our accommodation and take the evening to rest, reset, and reflect. A guided check-in circle invites participants to notice their growth so far—what’s shifted, what’s been challenging, and what they’re proud of.

It’s a quieter end to the day—creating space to recharge before stepping into the next chapter of the journey.

Day 11 – Medellín | Meet the People Leading Change

Accommodation: Comfortable, central, and lots to explore.

Today is about people, not places.

Participants will engage with community leaders, youth educators, and local changemakers who are actively shaping Medellín’s future—through art, education, environmental work, and social innovation. We listen, ask questions, and learn from those who are creating impact at the grassroots level. These are real conversations about purpose, challenge, and possibility.

In the afternoon, we step just beyond the city into the surrounding region for an outdoor adventure day (visiting the national park by trolley)—bringing balance between urban learning and time in nature.

Day 12 – Medellín | Culture, Creativity + Voice

We dive into Medellín’s vibrant street art and music culture, exploring neighbourhoods where walls tell stories of transformation, identity, and hope.

Participants begin creating their “Through-the-Lens” mini-documentary, capturing moments, reflections, and personal insights from the journey so far.

This is a day of expression—finding your voice through creativity, storytelling, and shared experience.

Day 13 – Integration Day | Voice + Confidence

Our final full day is about bringing it all together.

Through guided reflection circles, coaching sessions, and group sharing, participants take time to process their journey—what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and what they’re taking forward while we also go RAFTING to knock it out of the park. The final night we will celebrate our time together by dancing, eating and sharing stories

Day 14 – Departure | Returning Changed

We begin the day with an early morning flight back to Bogotá, connecting with international departures home.

Before leaving, the group gathers for a final closing circle—a moment to reflect, acknowledge growth, and honour the shared experience. Instructors will also offer individual debriefs, providing additional support—especially for those who may find transitions or goodbyes challenging. This ensures each participant feels seen, grounded, and supported as they return home.

Participants leave not just with memories, but with tools, confidence, and a deeper sense of self.

Daily P.L.U.S. Support Structure

• Morning check-ins (energy, mindset, intentions)

• Midday flexibility with rest and low-stimulation options

• Evening reflection circles to process the day

• 1:1 coaching touchpoints with instructors

• Always-available alternatives for those needing space or a slower pace

This is travel with care—structured, supported, and designed for real growth.