Home of camp

For the love of s’mores and starry nights, come celebrate at your local MEC store with camping workshops, games, food and sweet prizes.

When: July 13-14 from 11am – 4pm

Where: MEC Calgary

In partnership with

Join us in-store to boost your camp season. There’s a ton going on, including:

• Camp bingo for your chance to win some epic prizes from MEC, Kathmandu and Garmin.
• Community hike in partnership with Merrell (Vancouver and Toronto only)
• Camp workshops hosted by our friends at Kathmandu, Osprey, MSR, and NEMO.
• Food and drink vendors on-site
• Sweet tunes by a local DJ
• And lots more!

It’s easy to enter – come on by, play camp bingo and put your name in for a chance to win 1 of 5 prize packs from our sponsors:

Grand prize pack

Everything you need to adventure this summer. Come by to enter for your chance to win a MEC x Kathmandu Camp Kit. One grand prize is available.

Garmin prize pack

Enter for your chance to win one of four Garmin inReach Mini 2, plus a MEC head-to-toe outfit.

New to camping or just need some advice for your next trip? We’ll be hosting workshops from our favourite brands including Kathmandu, Osprey, MSR, Nemo and more. Workshops are 45min in length and spots are limited.

Tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to L.A. Foundation and Parkbus. Sign up early to secure your spot!

Sustainability in Outdoor Apparel

• July 13 and 14 from 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Intro to backpacking: how to pack your pack

The way a pack is loaded will have a big effect on how it feels on your back. Learn how to organize your pack to have the best fit, feel and efficiency on your next multi-day hiking trip.

• July 13 and 14 from 2:00pm - 2:30pm

Intro to backpacking: how to fit your pack

When choosing and fitting a pack, there is lots to consider. From the type of pack based on volume and use, to making sure it fits you properly, we’ll make sure your next trip is a comfortable one.

• July 13 and 14 from 2:30pm - 3:00pm

How to filter water in the backcountry

Get water-treatment tips and learn how to avoid contaminated water sources that might contain protozoa, bacteria or viruses. We’ll cover topics like how and where to gather water, different types of filtration devices, and how to care for your water filter to prolong its lifespan.

• July 13 and 14 from 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Camp cooking: how to select the best stove

From s’mores to pasta, food tastes better when you’re camping. There are lots of camping stove options to choose from, but how do you know which is best for you? We’ll cover everything from car camping to ultralight backpacking set-ups and everything in between.

• July 13 and 14 from1:30pm - 2:00pm

Sleep smart: the science of sleeping pads

Learn how to de-code the tech jargon of sleeping pads. We’ll dive into R value, temperature ratings and materials to help you find the best set-up for your next adventure.

• July 13 and 14 from12:00pm - 12:30pm

Mastering the tent essentials: set-up, maintenance and repairs

Learn about tent basics and essential repair techniques. We'll cover tent types, set-up, maintenance, and common repair methods to ensure longevity and reliability in outdoor conditions.

• July 13 and 14 from12:30pm - 1:00pm

Founded in 2010, Parkbus operates bus services to national and provincial parks in major cities across Canada. Additionally, we run community and outdoor programs, such as ActiveDays and NatureLink.

ActiveDays is a program offering guided group day hikes for people passionate about getting outdoors, exploring, learning, and enjoying nature together.

ActiveDays is a community. This is an inclusive space to meet new people, share stories, and have fun! To us, there is no better place to get to know someone than the outdoors. We all share a desire to get out, explore, and move.

Guided trips depart every weekend all year around from downtown Toronto (Yonge and Bloor subway station). Non-guided routes run throughout June - September and offer participants the opportunity to experience the most spectacular parks in ON and BC. 

The L.A. Foundation’s mission is to make the world a better, more inclusive place, one adventure and adventurer at a time. Creating a more inclusive outdoor industry requires diverse leadership and inviting, safe and fun communities full of adventure and experience. The L.A. Foundation is creating both.

Host or Publisher MEC