Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre has a long tradition of providing environmental education and outdoor recreation. Originally built in 1949 to house the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Forestry field camps, it continues to be used for this purpose every spring. Today many other educational groups take advantage of our idyllic setting for their own outdoor education needs. In addition, a wide range of adult and youth groups rent the year round facility for retreats, workshops and other events seeking our private wilderness setting.

In 2003, UBC signed an agreement with the Canadian Cancer Society, designating Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre as the permanent home of Camp Goodtimes. Camp Goodtimes is an annual summer event for kids aged 6 to ­16, that are battling cancer. In consideration of their use of the facility, a substantial contribution was donated for enhancements that include upgrades to the Student Centre, as well as the construction of the Walter C. Koerner Forestry Centre.