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!

Project Canoe Interns Steward the Temagami Environment

This just in from Project Canoe's Summer Intern Program Coordinator, Ben Stainton. "The interns and I have conducted a successful privy installation and I would like to tell you all about it. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) offered a training course on how to install a privy in the most environmentally sustainable way. Using the information from that course and two privies donated from the Temagami Lakes Association, the interns and I were prepared to help preserve the beautiful lands on which we camp.

Our trip took us northeast on a paddle up the northeast arm towards the lovely town of Temagami. There are no known privies in this direction and it can be a heavily trafficked area. We passed by several sites on two separate privy expeditions. Some sites were too small to install a privy without endangering the environmental integrity of the land around it. On each occassion, we left Briggs (Project Canoe's summer basecamp in Temagami) as early as we could and landed at our site in the evening. We quickly started with our two tasks: installing the privy and setting up camp. Each trip concluded the privy construction the following morning with a final look at what our energies had accomplished in our trip.

Privies were built away from the water, on elevated land, on sites that were heavilly trafficked, and only if an existing privy was not present. The traininig with the MNR involved the installation of a privy, removal of two older privies, improving the sustainability of an existing privy, and moving a final privy into a new/more appropriate location."

Here are some photos from our adventures.

The Benefits of Nature for Mental Health

In this week's NOW Magazine, Canadian food policy writer, Wayne Roberts, talks about why it's important to incorporate nature into our city planning, and the benefits of nature on mental health and wellbeing. Here's an excerpt: "Canoe trips require hours of strenuous exercise that make a recognized contribution to mental and physical well-being. The absence of plugs for TV or computers in the great outdoors alters the psyche and minimizes stress, the key mental illness trigger. Though an understanding of the human brain can be helpful, our understanding of the basic preconditions for mental health depends more on common sense than rocket science or brain surgery.

Nature is anything but quiet, but the sounds of life in the woods are more soothing and harmonious, less grinding and jerky than those I’m used to. Nature is anything but clean, neat, gleaming and bright, but the repetitive (fractal) patterns of leaves and waves are as soothing as the earth-toned shades of rock and land.

Eating and breathing, we feel the world deep within us, not outside. And gazing into the night sky at the Milky Way, we gain perspective on daily hassles and feel bathed in the spirit of thanking our lucky stars."

Read the full article here.

Project Canoe and Environmental Stewardship

It may come as no surprise that Project Canoe has a long history of environmental stewardship work and education. Throughout the years, we continue to partner with entities like the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks, Temagami Lakes Association, and Mountain Equipment Co-op to build and maintain trails in the Temagami region, as well as build, install, and maintain privies at those sites. We train our staff and youth participants in the long-standing Leave No Trace ethics of respecting and nurturing our environment. Part of this education involves practicing what we espouse.  Project Canoe's interns are working this summer in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Temagami Lakes Association to install some newly constructed privies built in the wood shop of a local high school. On a recent trip, staff and youth cleaned up every campsite they encountered. Below is a photo of the amount of garbage collected and removed from just one campsite.

Project Canoe in the Toronto Star - AGAIN!

As participants, staff, volunteers, and supporters of Project Canoe, we're honoured to once again be featured in the Toronto Star. Check it out and share widely! An excerpt from the Toronto Star piece:

"Toronto to Temagami. It’s like travelling to another planet for kids who live in the inner city suburbs — some who have never ventured farther north than Steeles Ave. For a group of urban teens, paddling on the pristine waters of northern Ontario where old growth forests appear to touch the sky, was an experience of a lifetime and never to be forgotten." READ MORE HERE

Project Canoe in the Toronto Star!

Project Canoe and former participant and Canoe Trip Leader, Maggie Embury, were featured in this last weekend's Toronto Star. Below is an excerpt and a link to the full article. Maggie Embury sat on a rock by a lake in Northern Ontario and looked up at the star-strewn sky for the first time.

“I remember clearly seeing billions of stars and actually feeling something run through my body. Looking at those stars, you feel so tiny but you’re tied into this incredible picture. We’re part of something so much bigger than our human world.” That was 18 years ago when Embury was just 14. It changed her life.

Rebellious and lacking self-esteem, the Newmarket teenager was failing school, experimenting with drugs and disappearing for days at a time. It was her idea to join her best friend, similarly challenged, on a 26-day summer trek with Project Canoe, a camping program that helps young people overcome a variety of social, emotional, behavioral and mental health issues.

Read the full article in the Toronto Star and share widely!

Summer Staff Training Launch!

Project Canoe hosts many wonderful year-round activities, but we always get a rush of excitement when we launch our Summer Wilderness Canoe Program based in Temagami. This last weekend we welcomed our returning and new Canoe Trip Leaders to our basecamp to begin 5.5 weeks of intensive training. Our staff come to us with many technical skills and tons of experience in the outdoors. Our goal with the staff training is to offer specific training with professionals aimed at maximizing staff readiness to effectively manage any challenges our youth may face.

Here's a mini photo essay of the summer staff and their team-building adventures in Temagami. Stay tuned for weekly updates and photos from up north!

"Your Brain on Cities"

Research shows that average daily life in cities causes almost constant stress on our bodies, especially our brains. Ever wonder about the body of evidence proving that spending time in nature has great benefits for our brains, and overall well being?  CBC Radio's The Current looks at how nature shapes our brains and how the absence of nature can undermine our health. Learn about "Attention Restoration Theory" and specific effects nature has on children. Listen to this compelling radio program here.

Are you a runner? Join Team Project Canoe!

Join Team Project Canoe for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday, October 16th, 2011! Dust off those running shoes and oil those knees! Join Team Project Canoe. Our mission? To raise funds to enable youth who face barriers in the GTA to have a potentially transformational experience in the Canadian outdoors. Our goal this year is to raise at least $10,000 for Project Canoe, and together, we can make that happen.

  • Step 1: Email Melanie Redman at Project Canoe and let her know you want to join Team Project Canoe (melanie@canoe.org). She’ll add you to the team, then send you instructions for registering for the marathon online and setting up your online fundraising page.
  • Step 2: Mark Sunday, October 16th on your calendar.
  • Step 3: Decide whether you want to walk or run the 5k, run the Half Marathon, or run the Full Marathon!
  • Step 4: Start your training! You can join in with the official training offered through the Running Room, or train on your own and join Team Project Canoe once each week for a group run from the Project Canoe office (Broadview and Dundas). You can even do both!

Note: If you can raise at least $500 for Team Project Canoe through your online fundraising efforts, we will reimburse your marathon entry fee!

Want to intern with Project Canoe?

Project Canoe is now accepting applications for our paid Summer Intern Program. We are looking for motivated, cooperative, and flexible interns who are interested in learning how to lead canoe trips for youth. Contract: June 19 – September 3rd, 2011 Location: Temagami, ON Honorarium: $1,000, plus we cover the costs of food, accommodation and qualifications. (Note, must be at least 18 years old to qualify.) Please download the formal Intern Job Posting 2011 and Intern Application 2011. Contact Sheryl Yip, Program Director at Sheryl@canoe.org for more information. Learn more about the intern experience by watching the videos below.

Youth Action Seminar a Huge Success!

On Saturday, April 16th, Project Canoe hosted a one-day event called "Self Discovery Through Movement." As many as 30 youth participated in this exciting collaborative event held on the stunning grounds of Trails Youth Initiatives in Newmarket. Youth from Project Canoe, The Spot, and Trails had fun connecting their minds, bodies, and spirits through Punk Rock Yoga. Youth enjoyed hikes, high ropes course, and a myriad of creative, movement-inspired games.

Thanks so much to our amazing hosts, Julia and Nick, as well as their supportive staff, at Trails.

Project Canoe's Contributing Artist

We'd like to introduce Project Canoe's artistic contributor, Julie Simoneau (featured below). Julie donated the beautiful image of her canoe painting (also featured below) to Project Canoe to use as our donor "thank you" card. Julie made the painting in the year 2000 to thank good friends she met while doing a youth exchange in Durham, Ontario. She learned a lot about life through her experience in Durham, and is happy to be able to further share her art with Project Canoe. Julie's wishes for Project Canoe? "Project Canoe is a wonderful project and I hope it has a long life."

About the artist Julie Simoneau lives in St-Jean-Port-Joli, Québec. She studied at Concordia University, as well as Laval University. She works in Québec City at the Maison des métiers d’arts de Québec (MMAQ), a school of arts and crafts, in the textile department. This year, she received a bursary from the CALQ for a creation project in sculpture. In her spare time, Julie tries to stay involved in her community for the promotion of arts and culture.

Looking for "Youth Agents of Change"

Are you a "Youth Agent of Change," or do you know one? This just in from the Centre for Social Innovation! We're looking for youth (aged 19-29) who are making an impact in their community and around the world.

Twenty winners will each receive a one-year Hot Desk package (worth $2,400), exclusive "Youth Agents of Change" professional development programming, and the opportunity to be part of one of Toronto's most dynamic community of change-makers!!

Are you a youth Agent of Change? Do you know someone who deserves to win? Visit www.socialinnovation.ca/agentsofchangeyouth for more! The entry deadline is April 22, 2011.

Announcing Youth Action Seminar 2011

"Self Discovery Through Movement" Join us on Saturday, April 16th for this exciting 1-day event. We will spend the day at Trails Youth Initiatives in Newmarket enjoying activities that focus on the theme of self discovery. Transportation and food are provided.

Have fun connecting your mind, body, and spirit through Punk Rock Yoga. Take a hike, and learn more about nature. Challenge yourself on the High Ropes Course. Listen to Jim Willett, guest speaker, to become inspired by his stories of achievement. Expect to discover more about yourself through movement!

Download the information packet and application to participate by clicking here. If you would like more information, please contact Sheryl Yip at Sheryl@canoe.org.

PC Staff Attend Ontario Camps Association Conference

Project Canoe staff recently had the opportunity to attend the Ontario Camps Association conference. It was incredibly inspiring to see how many people are committed to providing outdoor experiences to Ontario's youth. We shared stories, strategies and learnings to inform our work moving forward. One highlight of this year's conference was the keynote address by Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians. She explained the challenges that the globe is facing in terms of water scarcity, and laid out the role that Canada plays in this important discussion. Maude pointed out that as stewards of Ontario's precious water and waterfronts, camping professionals have an obligation to join the fight to protect Ontario's water for the use and enjoyment of many generations of youth to come.

Learn more about Maude Barlow's vision and on-going struggle for Canadian and global water security in the video below.

Maude Barlow in Water on the Table

Annual General Meeting Marks 35 Years of Service!

Join us as we enter our 35th year of service. The Project Canoe Board and staff invite you to our 2011 Annual General Meeting on Sunday, February 20th from noon to 2 p.m. We'll not only update you on all of the exciting things happening at Project Canoe, but we'll talk with participants of our programs to learn more about the impacts Project Canoe has had on their lives. Sunday, February 20, 2011, Noon to 2 p.m.

215 Spadina Avenue, Centre for Social Innovation (Dundas and Spadina). Food and beverages provided.

Please R.S.V.P. to info@canoe.org so we know how much food to arrange!

Project Canoe in the New Year

It is exciting to enter 2011 as the Executive Director of Project Canoe. We are now in our 35th year of service. In that time we've taken thousands of Ontario youth, who might not otherwise have had the opportunity, into the Canadian outdoors. Yes, as our name implies, most of the time we are canoeing up in Temagami. But, did you know, we also provide year-round programming? Thanks to our network of program partners, we work throughout the year with youth in the outdoors in a variety of settings. We are now gearing up for three important events:

  • Annual General Meeting: Sunday, February 20th, noon to 2 p.m. at the Centre for Social Innovation at 215 Spadina Avenue
  • Youth Outdoor Weekend: Friday, February 25th to Sunday, February 27th (contact Sheryl Yip for more details at sheryl@canoe.org)
  • Youth Outdoor Symposium: Saturday, April 16th, with more details to come

We've recently posted our 2011 employment opportunities, so visit our Employment page to learn more. We also have a variety of volunteer opportunities cropping up this winter and spring listed on our Volunteer page.

With your on-going support, I look forward to 2011 and the myriad of outdoor experiences we'll provide Ontario youth.

Melanie Redman, Executive Director