Shad focuses on both academic learning through lectures, workshops, labs and group projects as-well as the development of an individual and community.

The first summer program ran at St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario in July, 1981,[3] and has since expanded to 19 university campuses across Canada.

[citation needed] The Shad Network is as diverse as its program and includes founders and CEOs, international academics, social entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, best-selling authors, and AI innovators.

The network has a range of participants at various stages of career and business success—from start-up to million-dollar organizations, Rhodes Scholars and university, and philanthropists and social entrepreneurs.

The project's "theme", usually an important issue that has both economic and societal implications and differs each year, is revealed to all of the Shad participants in the first week of the program.

[5] The theme for 2023 was "How might we re-imagine living spaces for Canadians in ways that increase sustainability, accessibility, and community connection?".

[6][7] Previous themes have included: "Disaster & Emergency Preparedness" (2004),[8] "Health & Wellness" (2005),[9] "The Great Canadian Energy Challenge" (2006),[10] "Zero Waste Technology" (2007),[11] "Design with Conscience" (2008),[12] "Nature and Natural Fibres" (2009), "Designing for Canada's Aging Population" (2010), "Improving the Quality of Life for a Canadian Child with a Disability" (2011), and "Preventing/Reducing Obesity in North American Youth" (2012),"Why don't you go play outside?"

(2021), "How might we re-imagine living spaces for Canadians in ways that increase sustainability, accessibility, and community connection?"