Welcome to The Off Grid Ark Journal - a behind-the-scenes look at life on our 164-acre off-grid property in the Outaouais.
From building cabins and milling lumber to hosting outdoor education groups and boiling maple syrup, this is where I share the real work, lessons, and stories from life at The Ark.
Whether you’re curious about off-grid systems, outdoor education, or just living a little closer to the land, you’ll find it all here — one project at a time.
Mike Caldwell Published on: 12/11/2025Inspired by Mike Caldwell’s high school mentor, The Off Grid Ark Outdoor Education Program helps students build resilience, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills through hands-on wilderness learning near Ottawa.
The newest blog entries appear first, so if you don't want to "skip to the end" scroll back through the entries to find the "origin story" and work your way through to follow the story from beginning to now.
Mike CaldwellInspired by Mike Caldwell’s high school mentor, The Off Grid Ark Outdoor Education Program helps students build resilience, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills through hands-on wilderness learning near Ottawa.
Mike CaldwellOff-grid builder Mike Caldwell demonstrates how to build and use a homemade hot wire cutter to cut EPS foam insulation for the Cliffside Camp bunkhouse at The Off Grid Ark, a 164-acre off-grid property near Ottawa, Quebec.
“New stories posted every week (or so....) — follow along as The Ark grows and evolves.”
🏕️ About the Author
Mike Caldwell is the founder of The Off Grid Ark, a 164-acre off-grid property in Western Quebec where he's built multiple businesses, hosts outdoor education programs, and shares life close to the land.
A retired paramedic and lifelong outdoorsman, Mike also rescues dogs and organizes The Mad Trapper, Canada’s longest-running trail and snowshoe race series. His work blends adventure, sustainability, and storytelling — inspiring others to live more intentionally and closer to nature.
