Stronghold Education offers personal and professional development courses in support of finding meaningful activity and purpose. Designed by CAF veterans, for veterans who are looking to better understand themselves and develop unique and exciting skill sets.
Come as an individual or bring some friends, groups are prioritized. Private serials are available if you can bring 10 participants together.
All courses are designed to be eligible for VAC’s Education and Training Benefit reimbursement but you do not need to be eligible for that program to participate. Our courses are open to all.
Current Courses
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Tactical Pistol Fundamentals
Serial 2601 - Sept 23 - 26, 2026
Serial 2602 - Sept 27 - 30, 2026
Serial 2603 - Sept 31 - Oct 3, 2026
Serial 2604 - Oct 4 - Oct 7, 2026
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Off Road Motorcycle Course
Serial 2601: Sept 2 - 5
More serials dates for Fall 2026 coming soon.
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Wilderness Canoe and Backcountry Skills
Serial 2601 - August 30 - Sept 5, 2026
Wilderness Canoe and Backcountry Skills
Serial 2601
August 30 - Sept 05 - 2026
View Course Outline
Aug 30 - Travel to Ottawa
Aug 31-Sept 4 - Course window
Sept 5 - Travel Home
Five days. Algonquin Park. A canoe, a pack, and a small cohort of veterans covering real ground in one of the great backcountry paddle networks on the continent.
Whether you've never picked up a paddle or grew up on the water, you'll leave with cleaner technique, sharper navigation, and a real skills on what you and a canoe can do over distance. Instruction aligned with Paddle Canada standards — stroke mechanics, wilderness navigation, route and weather planning, portaging, backcountry camp craft, and Leave No Trace. Led by CANSOF veterans who are now backcountry guides. Certificate of Completion issued on graduation.
This course meets the requirements for VAC’s short course, Education and Training Benefit for qualifying veterans. Cohorts are small and they fill quickly. Tell us if you are part of a group of friends - we prioritize groups who know each other and can run private serials on alternate dates if you can bring 10 people together.
$5,550 + HST per person.
Round trip travel, shared accommodations, all meals during the course, vehicle rentals, fuel, group expedition gear, experienced guides and administrative support are all included.
Fill out the application form and we will guide you through applying to VAC for payment once your spot is confirmed.
Off-Road Motorcycle Fundamentals
Serial 2601
September 2 - 5 - 2026
View Course Outline
Sept 2 - Travel to Ottawa
Sept 3 & 4 - Course window
Sept 5 - Travel Home
Legit dirt bikes. Real terrain. Instructors who can actually ride and know how to teach including highly experienced CANSOF veterans.
Whether it's your first time on two wheels off-road or you've been riding for years, you'll leave faster, smoother, and reading the trail like it owes you money. Small cohorts of veterans, pushing each other through a progression that builds real skill — cornering, braking, body position, line selection — without the pretense.
Suitable for participants with general fitness and a willingness to learn and a sense of adventure — no prior motorcycle experience required. Instructor-led on a private track.
This course meets the requirements for VAC’s short course, Education and Training Benefit for qualifying veterans. Cohorts are small and they fill quickly. Tell us if you are part of a group of friends - we prioritize groups who know each other and can run private serials on alternate dates if you can bring 10 people together.
$5,550 + HST per person.
Round trip travel, shared accommodations, all meals during the course, vehicle rentals, private off-road track, motorcycles, fuel, riding safety equipment, professional instructors and administrative support are all included.
Fill out the application form and we will guide you through applying to VAC for payment once your spot is confirmed.
Tactical Pistol Fundamentals
Serial 1 - FULL - Sept 23 - 26 (Travel 23 & 26)
Serial 2 - Sept 27 - 30 (Travel 26 & 30)
Serial 3 - Sept 31 - Oct 3 (Travel Sept 31 & Oct 3)
Serial 4 - Oct 4-7 (Travel Oct 4 & 7)
View Course Outline
Two days. Live fire. A small cohort of veterans working through structured pistol fundamentals with instructors who know the difference between range theatre and real skill. Whether you're new to a handgun or you've carried one professionally and want to sharpen, you'll leave with cleaner draws, faster sight pictures, and real skill development.
Curriculum covers safe handling, grip and stance, draw from holster, sight management, trigger control, recoil management, reloads, malfunction clearance, and fire and movement. Instruction aligned with recognized firearms coaching standards. No prior shooting experience required. World class instruction on a private range. Led by CANSOF veterans with years of operational experience.
This course meets the requirements for VAC’s short course, Education and Training Benefit for qualifying veterans. Cohorts are small and they fill quickly. Tell us if you are part of a group of friends - we prioritize groups who know each other and can run private serials on alternate dates if you can bring 10 people together.
$5,550 + HST per person.
Round trip travel, shared accommodations, all meals during the course, vehicle rentals, fuel, private range facilities, pistols (not the Browning Hi-Power), ammunition, eyes and ears, professional instruction and administrative support are all included.
Fill out the application form and we will guide you through applying to VAC for payment once your spot is confirmed.
About The VAC Education And Training Benefit (ETB)
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Yes, if you have not used it it, the ETB will cover the complete cost.
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Veterans with 6+ years of service may qualify. This benefit expires 10 years after your release, unless you were released between 2006-2018, then it expires April 1, 2028.
6+ years = $50,569.97
12+ years = $101,139.94
This is a taxable benefit.
In 2026, up to $6,321.24 can be used for short courses that support career or personal development in support of a Veteran’s meaningful activity and purpose.
This comes from the total amount based on your 6+ or 12+ years of service
Read more on the ETB Here
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VAC must approve funding prior to the course starting. Plan 8-10 weeks for VAC approvals.
Step 1: Apply to the ETB Program to VAC. Approval takes approximately 4 weeks.
Step 2: Once approved for the program, submit proof of short course enrollment (We provide this to you) along with the ETB Short Course Application to VAC. (Approval takes approximately 4 weeks)
VAC will pay you directly and then you pay for the course, in full, prior to the start date.
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Contact VAC to see what funding you have available.
VAC provides funding directly to the veteran and it is the veterans responsibility to pay the course provider.
You can pay out of pocket for these courses, using the ETB is not a requirement.
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