Overview:

This summer, give your kids a fun, safe and quintessentially Canadian experience with the expert guides and leaders from Paddles in Action!  We are committed to providing campers with great memories, friendships and exceptional canoe, lifesaving and leadership skills that will last a lifetime!  To this end, we offer three outstanding canoe tripping programs that vary in length, have different features, but which all take place in the pristine wilderness of the La Cloche Mountains in northern Ontario where members of the Group of Seven painted.   The La Cloche Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.  Two billion years ago and before glacial erosion, these beautiful quartzite and granite mountains were higher than the Rockies!

Staff to Camper Ratio for all programs=2:7.   All programs offer female and male staff.  Although the programs are age specific, programs are not concurrent (there are no prerequisites).  The certification courses taken on our trips offer the advantage of learning over an extended period of time which allows lots of time for instructor support and practice.   

Transportation from southern and eastern Ontario is included in all programs.  (The three pick up and return locations are Waterloo, Toronto and Ottawa). Picking the right camp for your child is important and that is why we put a high priority on meeting with you and your child to ensure your family has all the information about Paddles in Action and our programs.  Call today to set up a meeting with us.

Plus, take advantage of our current promotion:  Any friend or family member who you refer us to and who signs up for a Paddles in Action program makes you eligible for a 20% discount on any summer program for your child!  

Our 7 day introductory wilderness canoe program features three nights at our Lang Lake cabins and four nights in Killarney Provincial Park. The focus is on fun and safety as we work towards our Basic Canoeing 1 from the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (O.R.C.K.A., www.orca.on.ca ) as well as developing a love for the outdoors and wilderness tripping.  (For ages 12-15)

Using our base camp on Lang Lake as our training backdrop over the first two days, the Launching Out group will develop their tandem paddling skills (Basic Canoeing 1) and learn the basics of water and canoe safety as well as preparation and packing for our canoe trip.  Participants will also take part in great and exciting teambuilding activities before embarking on our canoe trip (on day three) that will see campers enjoy the crystal clear waters of one of Canada’s most beloved lakes portrayed on canvas by painter Frank Carmichael of the Group of Seven.  Roasting smores and singing around the campfire, hiking, swimming, viewing wildlife, learning about the natural surroundings of the majestic area we will be camping in, enjoying great food and taking  part in the fun and amazing “Finding Flint” group challenge are other great features of our four days inside the park.   This experience ends with one more night back at our Lang Lake base camp where we will celebrate our successes around the campfire with storytelling and music before departing the next day on August 4th.  Certification Offered:  O.R.C.K.A. Basic Canoeing 1.

 Cost:  $980 

BBOLD Program (July 26-August 5): 

Our 11 day intermediate wilderness canoe program features three nights at our Lang Lake cabins and 7 nights in Killarney Provincial Park.  While enjoying the beautiful surroundings and having fun, we will introduce bronze star lifesaving and Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (O.R.C.K.A., www.orca.on.ca ) basic canoeing 1 and 2.  (For ages 13-17)

Using our base camp on Lang Lake as our training backdrop over the first two days, we will develop the tandem paddling skills of our participants and have them practice canoe and water safety by beginning our certification work in Basic Canoeing 1 and 2 and bronze star lifesaving skills.  Teambuilding challenges will be introduced to promote cooperation as we prepare for our seven day canoe trip.  On day three, we will embark on our trip into Killarney Park where we will continue our certification skills in O.R.C.K.A. Basic Canoeing 1 and 2.  As well, we will hike above “the Notch”creek which provides panoramic views over the La Cloche Mountain area.  Campers will learn to prepare delicious meals and learn different wilderness tripping techniques.  Roasting smores and singing around the campfire, swimming, viewing wildlife, learning about the natural surroundings of the majestic area we will be camping in and taking part in the fun and amazing group challenges are other great features of our seven days inside the park.   This experience ends with one more night back at our Lang Lake base camp where we will celebrate our successes around the campfire with storytelling and music before departing the next day on August 5th.  Certification Offered:  O.R.C.K.A. Basic Canoeing 1 and 2, Bronze Star Lifesaving Cost $1700

Franklin Carmichael's "Mirror Lake"

THE RUGGED EXPERIENCE  (July 24-August 7): 

 Our 15 day wilderness canoe program is our most challenging and skill intensive program but maybe our most rewarding!  It features three nights at our Lang Lake Cabins and 11 nights in Killarney Provincial Park.  We will focus on the elements related to the preparation for a long wilderness trip as well as bronze star, bronze medallion and bronze cross level lifesaving skill development and Basic Canoeing 1 2 & 3 from the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (O.R.C.K.A., www.orca.on.ca )  as well as  O.R.C.K.A. Canoe Tripping 1 certification. (For ages 14-18)

Using our base camp at Lang Lake as our training backdrop for the first two days, we will introduce fun teambuilding activities and review our tandem paddling skills as well as begin our work in bronze star lifesaving skills.    Focus will also include preparation for our extended canoe trip at an O.R.C.K.A. canoe tripping 1 level.  On day three we will embark on our trip and stay for four nights on one of Ontario’s most beautiful lakes that is surrounded by mountains and has many small bays that are ideal for bronze medallion lifesaving and paddling skill development.  We will also hike to Silver Peak, the highest point in Killarney that offers tremendous views of the surrounding area.  We will canoe back to the west on day 7 and over the next four days we will stay on pristine lakes to continue our work on bronze cross lifesaving skills and our canoe tripping 1 certification (that includes preparing delicious backcountry meals for each other).  Our “rugged” participants will eventually lead activities on day 11 for the entire Paddles in Action group.  This promises to be an exciting experience for all involved!  On day 12 and 13 we will kick back and enjoy the crystal clear waters of Frank Carmichael’s Mirror Lake while hiking above the lake and enjoying its stellar views.  Roasting smores, singing around the campfire, swimming, viewing wildlife, learning about the natural surroundings of the majestic area we will be camping in and taking part in the fun and amazing group challenges are other great features of our eleven days inside the park.   On day 14, this incredible experience ends with one more night back at our Lang Lake base camp where we will celebrate our successes around the campfire with storytelling and music before departing the next day on August 7^th.  Certification Offered:  O.R.C.K.A. Basic Canoeing 1, 2 and 3, Canoe Tripping 1, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross Lifesaving.

Cost:  $2300

High School Wilderness Adventure Programs

Paddles in Action provide customized canoe trips of varying lengths to high school students and their teachers. After meeting with your school’s representatives our company will develop a comprehensive proposal that includes trip locations, menu, safety plan, equipment lists, activity ideas and if desired, proposed certification work in various outdoor skills such as lifesaving swimming and flatwater paddling skills. Let an experienced outdoor adventure expert from Paddles in Action develop something special for your school group!