Haskayne Wilderness Retreat

The Haskayne Wilderness Retreat is a six-day summer semester course, held at Barrier Lake Field Station in Kananaskis, designed to help students become environmentally-conscious, culturally-aware leaders. Students participate in a diverse range of activities including a day-hike, meditation sessions, workshops on wilderness-camping techniques, and discussions about sustainability.

“The Haskayne Wilderness retreat was a transformational experience that is hard to put into words. Bonds were formed with virtual strangers in a matter of days that I will carry always in my heart,” says Francis Toussaint, who participated in the 2016 Wilderness Retreat. He continues, “Six days in the wilderness taught me more about myself, leadership, nature, indigenous culture and the human condition than I could have learned from a year in class. I would advocate the Haskayne Wilderness Retreat to anyone willing to broaden their horizons and open their heart.”

Haskayne’s Dr. David Lertzman and his staff team, which includes indigenous elders and wilderness guides, have been leading retreats since 2004. Dr. Lertzman’s course provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills in a setting that inspires contemplation of sustainable development – an important concept for ethical business leaders to consider when making decisions. “Great leaders are people of exceptional integrity, vision, and creativity who inspire others to achieve their best for the greater good,” says Lertzman.  

The Wilderness Retreat is offered at both the undergraduate and MBA level. Learn more about it here. If you have any questions about the Wilderness Retreat, please contact David Lertzman at lertzman@ucalgary.ca.