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Project Canoe Interns in the House!

Project Canoe is dedicated to not only working with youth in the outdoors, but we also invest significantly in our staff and interns. We believe that these dynamic young people are poised to foster positive social change in our communities. We are committed to shaping an informed and engaged group of staff members and interns through an enriched training program and on-going mentoring and skill-building. To that end, our summer program interns are in the house here at our city office at Centre for Social Innovation. They're learning about the Project Canoe program model and spending some time reflecting on principles and practices of diversity and anti-oppression. Meet the interns. When asked why they applied for the Project Canoe Internship Program, here's what they had to say:

  • Katelyn Whitworth: "People are so passionate about Project Canoe, I kept thinking that I have to be part of it too!"
  • Hussein Abdulkadir: "I was a participant at Project Canoe for two years and thought it was pretty special to work with youth. I want to get more experience working with female youth, as I have experience working with male youth."
  • Lindsay Klea: "I'm looking to Project Canoe to give me some direction, and help me open some doors for my future."

    Learn More About the Work We Do and Where We Do It!

    Project Canoe is dedicated to on-going learning, especially where the youth and communities we serve are concerned. Join us for a "Lunch, Walk and Learn" event in the vibrant community of Lawrence Heights. We'll enjoy a free lunch in the Lawrence Heights Community Centre and learn about the past, present, and future of Lawrence Heights. City Councillor Josh Colle will share his thoughts and answer questions about the community. After lunch and a mini-tour of the community centre, we'll take a walk around the neighbourhood and learn from some local residents. Date? Saturday, June 16th

    Time? 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

    Location? Lawrence Heights Community Centre

    Cost? FREE!

    Join us. All you have to do is R.S.V.P. to info@canoe.org

    Project Canoe in the Media

    Check out one of our Summer Wilderness Canoe Trip Leaders in The Toronto Star!

    May 31, 2012
    Leslie Ferenc
    It takes about six hours to get there by yellow school bus, but Lina Jouis doesn’t mind one bit. Each minute and kilometre brings her closer to the unspoiled old growth forests of Temagami, fragrant with the heavy scent of pine and the crystal clear waters of paradise. And with every turn of the wheels, Jouis is aware that the new kids on the bus are heading toward something life changing. They don’t know it, but they will be different after roughing it in the wilderness with Project CANOE (Creative and Natural Outdoor Experience).
    It is one of more than 100 camps supported with donations to the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund.
    Jouis has seen how the Temagami adventures change attitudes and transform lives for city kids 13 to 18.
    Some are there to build leadership skills in the outdoors and then pass them on to others in the community. Then there are those who need to get away from the poverty, violence and crime that so often surrounds them along with the labels — at-risk, troubled, or lost causes. Some are kids who have given up on themselves. But not Jouis and her colleagues at CANOE, where kids can be themselves without fear of being judged. Everyone is the same.
    Subsidies from the Fresh air Fund help ensure no one is turned away for financial reasons.“We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual,” said Jouis before embarking on her second summer as a trip leader with the camp in northeastern Ontario. She calls the experience “adventure therapy” — summer wilderness camps for urban kids who escape to the pristine environs of the north to learn about their surroundings, survival skills and themselves.
    Jouis and other CANOE leaders have had extensive training working with young people who have emotional, social and behaviour issues. For her, the greatest reward is watching the kids turn around negative attitudes through positive reinforcement, understanding, attention and care. Campers’ smiles and hugs say it all, she said. That’s why it’s important they have a good time while learning how to paddle a canoe, pitch a tent, build a camp fire and protect their grub from bears. “Camp is very important because it gives them a sense of community and working together, sharing and helping each other,” said Jouis. “And the kids learn quickly that if they decide they don’t want to paddle, they can’t move.”
    After each canoe trip, Jouis knows that the skills learned in Temagami go home with each camper.
    She also learns as much from the kids as they do from her. “Project CANOE is a loving, safe place,” she added. “It makes me feel good to be part of it.”

    Project Canoe Partners With Teach2Learn For Some March Break Adventures!

    We spent the last two days of the March Break hanging out with some of our friends from Teach2Learn - an organization that works with, advocates for and engages Spanish speaking youth.  It was a jam-packed couple of days and we did lots of interesting things!  We ventured down to the Distillery District where we did a Photo Scavenger hunt (check out the slideshow here on our facebook page!), we played lots of active games, did some yoga, hiked in the park and had a fire-less campfire (were you outside on Friday? It was so hot!).  We also learned about poverty and what it means to be an advocate, as well as finding out some fun facts about Canada's own White Tail Deer!  Check out some of our great photos, and view the rest here!

    Youth Application Now Online

    Interested in coming on a trip with us this summer? Know someone who might benefit from a wilderness adventure in a safe and positive environment? Information about our 2012 canoe trips, and how to apply can be found on our Summer Program page.

    If you have any questions, or would like a hard copy of the form mailed to you, please contact our Program Director, Jenna Schleien, at jenna@canoe.org.

    Project Canoe Is Looking For Paid Interns!

    Project Canoe is looking for applicants for our paid Summer Intern Program. If you are  motivated, cooperative, flexible and interested in learning how to lead canoe trips for youth, find out how to apply here! Contract: June 22 – August 31, 2011

    Location: Temagami, ON

    Honorarium: $1,000, plus we cover the costs of food, accommodation and qualifications.

    Application Deadline:  April 7th, 2012

    (Note, must be at least 18 years old to qualify.)

    2012 Summer Wilderness Canoe Trip Program Dates Announced!

    This summer, we are offering a range of trip options, including 5-day trips, 8-day trips, 12-day trips and a 21-day Leaders in Training program. We are putting the final touches on our 2012 application, but wanted to share with you our schedule for the season:

    5-Day
    • June 28 – July 2
    • August 2 – August 6
    • August 9 – August 13
    8-Day
    • July 7 – July 14
    • July 20 – July 27
    • August 18 – August 25
    12-Day
    • August 2 – August 13
    Leaders in Training Trips
    • July 20 - July 27 (8-day trip)
    • August 6 – August 25 (21-day Program)

    Please stay tuned to your emails, as well as to our website and Facebook page, for the 2012 outreach and application materials!

    If you have any questions, please contact our Program Director, Jenna Schleien, at Jenna@canoe.org.

    Now Hiring: Summer Program Coordinator!

    Are you a canoe trip leader ready for the next phase of your career? We're looking for an exceptional person to join our management team at Project Canoe as our Summer Program Coordinator. If you think you have what it takes, we're waiting to hear from you! You can find the complete Summer Program Coordinator job description here. Please submit your resume and cover letter now to Program Director, Jenna Schleien at Jenna@canoe.org, as we're interviewing on a rolling basis.

    Volunteer With Project Canoe!

    Interested in some meaningful volunteer opportunities with Project Canoe? We're hosting an information session about our available volunteer roles on Monday, February 6th at 6 p.m. We'll meet at the Centre for Social Innovation, 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto on the 2nd floor in Meeting Room 2. Please r.s.v.p. to melanie@canoe.org if you're interested. Read more about current volunteer opportunities HERE.

    Attention Members: Proposed Changes to Project Canoe Bylaws

    Happy Holidays! We at Project Canoe hope your season is filled with peace and joy. Looking forward to the New Year, our Board of Directors recently recommended some changes to Project Canoe's Bylaws in order to remain relevant and compliant with current legislation. Below is the "red line" version of the proposed changes for our members to review. Please pay attention to the proposed changes in the definition of membership. You're invited to join us for the 2012 Annual General Meeting on Sunday, February 26th from noon to 2 p.m. at the Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON to vote on these proposed changes.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Melanie Redman, Executive Director, at Melanie@canoe.org.

    Project Canoe Bylaw Changes

    5th Annual Fund Raising Event Night Days Away - Check Out These Silent Auction Highlights!

    The countdown is on! Monday, November 14th is Project Canoe's 5th Annual Fund Raising Event Night at the Imperial Pub in Toronto. R.S.V.P. to info@canoe.org, as space is limited. Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton is our featured speaker at 9 p.m., so join us! The silent auction in support of the Alicia Ross Memorial Fund for Youth is another highlight of the evening. Here's a taste of what you can expect:

    • TFAL Actifry - If you've ever dreamed of deep frying on your countertop, prepare to make those dreams come true by bidding on the TFAL Actifry.  This compact frying unit will deep fry anything from chicken wings to grapefruits!
    • Leaf Tickets - These impossible to purchase tickets are always a big hit!
    • Eureka 4-person Outfitter Tent - This fully winterized four-man tent will make an amazing addition to your tent collection.
    • Night for Two at Toronto Marriott Bloor-Yorkville Hotel - If you like shopping, Victorian architecture, boutiques and art galleries, you should be in Yorkville!  And while you're there why not stay at the Marriott Bloor-Yorkville Hotel, one of Toronto's finest hotels.
    • Fossil - Vintage Re-Issue Purse - This stunning vintage re-issue purse is based on iconic silhouettes of the past.

    Youth Event at Brickworks - this Saturday!

    Upcoming Youth Event Alert: On November 5th Project Canoe is having its first Year Round Event for the season. We'll be heading to the Evergreen Brickworks to do some community gardening (which can earn you community hours for school). Afterwards, we'll be having lunch at the farmers' market, and then we're off on a hike through the Don River Valley. If you are interested, please contact jordan@canoe.org or give us a call at 416-778-4311 - we're pretty close to full, so let us know soon if you want to join in the fun!

    Past Participants and Partners Needed!

    Attention Project Canoe Participants and Partners: Feel like you have something to say? Want an opportunity to talk about your experience with Project Canoe?
    We are currently looking for youth and adults who are 16 or older to participate in a research project with one of our former trippers. It would consist of a quick phone interview or questionnaire. Your responses would help us develop even better and more fun programming. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, let Stacey know at staceymr@yorku.ca. Thanks!