Have you ever stopped to consider the power sources you use? When you turn on the lights or have a hot shower, where is that energy coming from? Strathcona Park Lodge is a self-contained off-grid wilderness retreat with 160 acres to explore on the edge of Strathcona Provincial Park. It invites guests to unplug from daily life, re-connect to nature, and get curious about energy use and sustainability. It’s a gathering place for families, friends, and community groups, a basecamp for wilderness adventures, and a world-renowned hub for outdoor education.
Strathcona Park Lodge is a family-run business, and its owners have been thinking about sustainable tourism for over 60 years. President Jamie Boulding has deep roots in the Campbell River region and in the hospitality business. His grandfather was a fishing guide in the early 1900s and his grandmother started the nearby Comox Valley’s first hotel. Jamie’s father, Jim Boulding, had the vision to establish Strathcona Park Lodge in the 1950s and saw time in nature as a powerful opportunity to learn and build community.
That drive for connection and education continues today.
“I hope that we educate [guests] to be better citizens so they develop a passion for getting outdoors and enjoying the wilderness.”
Jamie Boulding and his wife Christine Clarke at Strathcona Park Lodge. The couple have carried on Jim and Myrna Boulding’s legacy and turned Strathcona Park Lodge into a renowned hub for outdoor education and wilderness tourism.
Off-Grid Life and Sustainable Choices
Jamie says that modelling sustainability practices is an important way to attract guests who value the environment. “You open people up to making choices about intentionally coming to places that are sustainable and live within a reasonable footprint,” he says.
Strathcona Park Lodge generates hydro-electric power using a Pelton Wheel, which enables the operators to manage their energy and use only what they need. They also source drinking water from Upper Campbell Lake and heat it using passive solar technology.
These sustainable energy choices mean the Lodge can be self-reliant and minimize its impact on the environment. It also fosters a deeper connection to nature. Off-grid living encourages guests to think about the energy systems they use during their time at the Lodge and also when they return home to their everyday lives.
