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: 10/02/2026Why The Off Grid Ark shifted from a traditional bunkhouse to neurodivergent parent–youth adventure weekends, and what this change makes possible.
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 CaldwellA candid update from the Off Grid Ark on a slower winter build season, shifting plans, second-guessing the bunkhouse, and refocusing on what truly matters.
Mike CaldwellA January 19, 2026 winter bunkhouse build update at The Off Grid Ark, hauling and installing sixteen-foot metal roofing through snow, ice, and cold weather to get the roof nearly complete.
Mike CaldwellA practical look at winter outdoor education — why it matters, how it works on the ground, and what young people learn when winter is treated as a classroom.
Mike CaldwellBuilding the bunkhouse roof at The Off Grid Ark in Western Quebec—installing rafters, insulation, strapping, and staying dry through winter rain and snow.
Mike CaldwellA raw January 6 update on our winter bunkhouse build—cold weather, setbacks, real progress, and why we’re getting close to opening.
Mike CaldwellA winter build update from The Off Grid Ark in Western Quebec: eight walls up, deep snow, a dropped ATV track, and real progress on the new Cliffside Camp bunkhouse.
“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.
