CANOE TRIPS IN CANADA
SUMMER 2010
CANOEING AND COMMUNITY (16 days)
Temagami Area Lakes, Streams and Rivers
August 7 - 22 $900 to $1300 (sliding scale)
The location of this trip is the Temagami Forest Area of Northern Ontario, a land of great natural beauty and design. Clear-water lakes bordered by red pine and white pine forest alternate with granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield. The lakes are fed by flowing rivers which at times break into rapids and spectacular waterfalls. The country is ideal for learning canoeing technique and developing general camping skills.
Because this program is tailored to the nature of the group and the preferences of the participants, it is an excellent choice for both individuals and families with children. As part of the community aspect of the trip, no specific travel plans will be made before the group comes together. We will decide the route, nature of the trip, schedule, plan of each day, allocation of tasks and responsibilities, and any other concerns by group consensus. As we travel we can expect to experience an evolution of community within our group as well as around us as individuals. Making the choice to be part of a supportive community is a step each of us can take to create a sense of peacefulness in our modern-day lives.
A unique aspect of Wilderness Way trips is a strong commitment to the sharing of knowledge and technique. To this end instruction and practical experience are offered in such things as map reading, recognizing wind and weather conditions, reading water, meal planning and preparation, wood gathering, axemanship, fire making, and other outdoor skills. The goal is to enable each participant to increase in competence and self-confidence to the point of feeling comfortable in the outdoors alone or with family and friends
The above trip is suitable for anyone who loves outdoor living or wants to become more familiar with this way of life. Canoeing experience is not necessary since canoeing skills and technique are taught as needed. Each person provides his or her contribution to the group, making the trip a group as well as an individual experience. Travel is strenuous at times, and while individual strength is not necessary, general health and good physical condition are.
A word about the sliding scale: My effort is to acknowledge that in creating community, each of us brings different resources to the group. We vary widely in physical strength, emotional make up and intellectual background as well as in financial resources. The normal fee for a trip of this length would be $1100, so I have created a sliding scale of $900 to $1300. This enables each person to make a decision about what feels right for his/her contribution, recognizing that if some can offer more than the minimum, it is then possible to keep the minimum lower and include a wider range of people in the mix. What anyone elects to pay is entirely a personal decision and will not be questioned.
As to details:
The group is expected to consist of six to twelve members. We will meet in North Bay, Ontario, and return there at the conclusion of the trip.
The fee includes all transportation beyond North Bay and is payable as follows: a $100 non-refundable deposit should accompany the application, with the remainder of the fee due by July 9 (30 days before the trip is scheduled to begin).
If you have questions, would like more information or would just like to talk about the trip, you can call or write me, Andy Smyth, at the above address and phone number or contact me by e-mail at wway@mac.com . I will be happy to answer your questions or tell you more about any of the Wilderness Way programs.
