Live on campus. Build real projects. Meet ambitious students from across Canada.
More than a program.
A transformation.
Shad is a month-long STEAM & entrepreneurship program for high school students who want to challenge themselves, explore their potential, and build the future.
Intensive and immersive
Student age range
Program formats
Curious, driven and impact-oriented students
From day one
Our curriculum blends academics, real-world projects, and leadership experiences to help you build the skills to shape what’s next.
Limitless opportunities
Each summer, Shad partners with leading universities and colleges across Canada to deliver immersive programs on exceptional campuses. Wherever you go, you’ll find the same caring community, challenging academics, and unforgettable experience.
Partner institutions across Canada
Provinces represented
Transformative experience
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2026.
Camrose, Alberta
Halifax, Nova Scotia
London, Ontario
Calgary, Alberta
Every Shad campus is carefully chosen for its academic excellence, inspiring spaces, and vibrant communities, giving you the environment to explore, create, and grow.
Different ways to live it.
Shad offers four unique program formats designed to match your goals, learning style, and curiosity. No matter the path you choose, you’ll join a community of changemakers and gain skills for the future.
On campus
Hands on projects
Dorm life & community
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2006.
Live-in Program
Live on campus, build lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in university life while tackling real-world challenges.
Shad Unplugged
Build resilience, confidence, and community through immersive outdoor experiences and hands-on learning.
Explore Unplugged
A-Plus Program
Designed for students ready to challenge themselves through deeper exploration, advanced experiences, and greater impact.
Explore A-Plus
Shad French Program
Perfect your French, expand your perspective, and connect with students from across Canada in an immersive French-language environment.
Explore French
Shad Virtual
Join from anywhere in Canada without missing the Shad magic.
Explore Virtual
Different ways to live it.
Shad offers four unique program formats designed to match your goals, learning style, and curiosity. No matter the path you choose, you’ll join a community of changemakers and gain skills for the future.
On campus
Hands on projects
Dorm life & community
Campus availability may vary each year.
Some institutions will not host a program in 2006.
Live-in Program
Live on campus, build lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in university life while tackling real-world challenges.
Shad Unplugged
Build resilience, confidence, and community through immersive outdoor experiences and hands-on learning.
Explore Unplugged
A-Plus Program
Designed for students ready to challenge themselves through deeper exploration, advanced experiences, and greater impact.
Explore A-Plus
Shad French Program
Perfect your French, expand your perspective, and connect with students from across Canada in an immersive French-language environment.
Explore French
Shad Virtual
Join from anywhere in Canada without missing the Shad magic.
Explore Virtual
Shad gave me the tookit and mindest to dream bigger.
The friends I made here are still some of the most important people in my life.
Kento
Shad alum
A launchpad.
Through Shad, participants will:
A community that challenges, supports, and inspires you.
Deepen their STEAM knowledge through hands-on experiences and real-world problem solving.
Fuel their passion for innovation, creativity, and discover.
Chart their educational journey with greater clarity and purpose.
Build workplace readiness and the professional skills today's world demands.
Grow their network alongside a community of like-minded peers.
Embrace entrepreneurship and learn to turn bold ideas into reality.
Here are various common questions that come up about Shad and our programs:
Live-in / A-Plus / Unplugged: July 5 – July 31 | 24/7
Virtual: July 6 – July 31 | Monday – Friday, 11 am – 5 pm ET
Shad’s Live-in program is hosted at our carefully selected post-secondary campuses and Shad’s Virtual program is powered by Athabasca University.
Learn more about Shad’s Live-in experience and Shad’s Virtual experience and our two program options – Unplugged and A-Plus.
The number and locations of Shad campuses offering A-Plus and Unplugged will be determined by the demand from accepted applicants.
While we take into consideration your preferred campus options, Shad ultimately chooses your campus in order to promote a 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.
Students who require accommodations related to disabilities, cultural/religious practices, or any other human rights protected ground 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.
One month. Lifelong impact.
