Shad’s Live-in programs are hosted at our carefully selected post-secondary campuses and Shad’s Virtual program is powered by Athabasca University.
Canada’s premier pre-university STEAM and entrepreneurship program.
One summer, lifelong impact.
Shad offers a suite of transformative programs designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students in Grades 10 and 11 to thrive in a fast-changing world.
Through hands-on STEAM learning, real-world challenges, and lifelong friendships, Shad empowers the next generation of leaders to see what’s possible and gives them the confidence to make it happen.
Days Immersive Experience
Post-secondary Campuses
Mentor-to-Student Ratio
Areas of Discovery
Every Shad program runs on the same underlying formula, a thoughtfully balanced mix of learning, community, innovation, and exploration. Continually intertwined throughout the month, these four elements create one immersive experience intentionally designed to inspire transformation.
Shad’s programs are built around exploration. Learning is organized across five interdisciplinary areas that stretch well beyond traditional subject boundaries. Through lectures, workshops, labs, field experiences, and collaborative challenges, students explore topics that broaden their perspectives, deepen their curiosity, and spark their creativity. While specific topics may vary by campus, the Shad experience stays consistent, anchored in the same Shad formula.
Applied Problem Solving & Entrepreneurship
Navigate the business world
Where knowledge becomes action via human-centred design, venture building, business strategy, operations, financial literacy, and data reasoning, anchored by social innovation that measures success as collective good.
Emerging Fields & Science Frontiers
Capture the knowledge frontier
The scientific disciplines shaping how we understand the living and physical world. This knowledge could include human health, genetics, chemistry, Earth systems, astronomy and the research methods that hold it all together.
Leadership & Future Readiness
Learning to build the future
Get students ready for what’s next. Hone skills such as public speaking, leadership, negotiation, wellbeing, creative confidence, mentorship, and a capstone challenge, with personal growth treated as rigorously as any subject.
Society, Culture & the Human Mind
Understand the human context
How humans make meaning, build societies, and understand one another. Explore this across creative arts, psychology, political science, sociology, ethics, Indigenous knowledge, and truth and reconciliation.
Technology, Engineering & Innovation
Decode the tech innovations
The disciplines of making and building, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, software, biomedical and energy engineering, aerospace, creative media, and design that puts real human diversity first.
Shad partners with post-secondary institutions to deliver immersive learning experiences on campuses from coast to coast. From living in residence and exploring state-of-the-art facilities to connecting with faculty, mentors, and fellow participants, each Shad campus provides a unique setting for a transformative experience.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2026.
Shad partners with post-secondary institutions to deliver immersive learning experiences on campuses from coast to coast. From living in residence and exploring state-of-the-art facilities to connecting with faculty, mentors, and fellow participants, each Shad campus provides a unique setting for a transformative experience.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2026.
Shad partners with post-secondary institutions to deliver immersive learning experiences on campuses from coast to coast. From living in residence and exploring state-of-the-art facilities to connecting with faculty, mentors, and fellow participants, each Shad campus provides a unique setting for a transformative experience.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2026.
Most Shad participants have experienced the program through our signature Live-in program. Building on this foundation, Shad has expanded its offerings to include four distinctive program pathways that share the same commitment to innovation, community, and personal growth, creating more ways for students to experience Shad.
Shad Live-in Program
Live on campus, build lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in post-secondary life while tackling real-world challenges.
Explore more specialized Live-in options
Shad Virtual Program
Innovation without borders. Same transformative Shad experience with more flexibility and a digital-first approach built for today’s world.
For more than 45 years, Shad has helped future leaders discover new possibilities, build lasting confidence, and develop the skills and connections to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Equipped with the mindset to lead with purpose, they go on to strengthen their communities, drive innovation, and create meaningful impact in Canada and beyond.
of Shad participants
recommend Shad
of Shad participants
report improved critical thinking
of Shad participants
feel better equipped to solve tough problems
of Shad participants
say Shad enhanced their communication abilities
Here are various common questions that come up about Shad and our programs:
Program / General
Shad offers a suite of immersive programs designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students in Grades 10 and 11 to thrive in a fast-changing world. On campus program options include the Live-in, A-plus, En Français, and Unplugged programs, and the Shad Virtual program is also available.
Live-in / A-Plus / En Français/ Unplugged: July 4 – July 30 | 24/7
Virtual: July 5 – July 30 | Monday – Friday, 11 am – 5 pm ET
Shad’s Live-in programs are hosted at our carefully selected post-secondary campuses and Shad’s Virtual program is powered by Athabasca University.
The number and locations of campuses hosting the Unplugged program will be determined by the demand from accepted applicants. For Shad 2027, A-Plus will be hosted at St. Thomas University and En Français at Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta.
We carefully consider many factors when assigning campus placements, including your preferred campuses, where you live, travel considerations, and other individual circumstances. While we do our best to accommodate your preferences whenever possible, final campus placements are made by Shad to help create a diverse, pan-Canadian experience for all participants.
Well-qualified team members work hard to ensure that all aspects of the experience – academic, logistical and social – meet or exceed expectations.
Many of these dedicated team members are top-rated post-secondary professors. Volunteers from all areas of the university and business community also add to the mix to create a dynamic experience. All team members and volunteers subscribe to the highest code of conduct as defined and maintained by Shad Canada.
No. Shad participants must commit to attending the entire duration of the program.
Shad Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that respects the diverse identities and needs of participants in the Shad program. We strive to ensure everyone can participate fully and access the supports they may need.
Accommodation supports are available to support the diverse needs of participants, including disability, cultural, religious or spiritual practices, gender identity or expression, and needs related to other human rights protected grounds. Students who require accommodations should contact Shad Canada as early as possible to discuss their accommodation needs and to ensure Shad Canada can meet their needs. Careful consideration should be made prior to accepting the offer to participate.
Requests can be sent to info@shad.ca
Shad can count towards high school credit for participants from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. The Shad experience can also qualify as a Sector-Partnered Experience for SHSM students in Ontario and towards CAS requirements for IB diploma students. Shad’s Virtual campus participants also have the opportunity to complete credentials from Athabasca University.
Accommodations & Accessibility
Shad Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that respects the diverse identities and needs of participants in the Shad program. We strive to ensure everyone can participate fully and access the supports they may need.
Accommodation supports are available to support the diverse needs of participants, including disability, cultural, religious or spiritual practices, gender identity or expression, and needs related to other human rights protected grounds. Students who require accommodations should contact Shad Canada as early as possible to discuss their accommodation needs and to ensure Shad Canada can meet their needs. Careful consideration should be made prior to accepting the offer to participate.
Requests can be sent to info@shad.ca
Accessibility matters to us. We are committed to creating Shad learning environments where participants with disabilities can have meaningful opportunities to engage, feel a sense of belonging, and thrive.
Accessibility and accommodation supports are available as part of the program. We recognize that each person may have different needs, and we are eager to work with youth and their parent/guardian(s) to identify supports that can help remove barriers to participation.
If you have a disability or accessibility need, or require an accommodation to participate in the program, please contact us. You do not need to know exactly what support you need or have the right words to describe it. We welcome a conversation about what would help you participate fully and comfortably.
We will work with you to understand your needs, explore appropriate accessibility supports, and identify reasonable accommodations where possible. Our goal is to have an open conversation and work together to support your participation.
Your access matters to us. We want to hear from you and work with you.
For accessibility and accommodation requests, please contact:
info@shad.ca | 519-884-8844