For Immediate Release
Information, photographs and press trip inquiries, contact:
Scott Adams, Paddling Ontario Alliance
Phone: (705) 745-9343, Email: admin@paddlingontario.com
Paddling Ontario announces 2005 Ed-venture Experiences
Paddle the pathways of the voyageurs, join wilderness watercolor workshops, or star-gaze by canoe with an expert. Paddling Ontario, an alliance of 24 Ontario canoe and kayaking tourism operators, makes learning an ed-venture this summer, offering a range of opportunities even the inexperienced can enjoy.
On the northeast boundary of Algonquin Park, Northern Edge Eco Resort and the Art Gallery of Ontario offer the Tom Thomson Experience ($597, August 11 -14). Using the Northern Edge solar-powered lodge as a base, participants join artist/story teller Jill Boschulte in following the footsteps of one of Canada's most famous artists; paddling the waters and painting the landscapes Thomson made famous.
An hour east of Toronto in Paris, Ontario, Grand Experiences takes groups (and wait-listed individuals) on an Iroquois Longhouse Adventure ($120). The guided overnight experience begins with a 2-hour paddle down the Grand River in 24-foot Voyageur Fur Trading Canoes (rafts, kayaks or regular canoes are available, too), past the home of Alexander Graham Bell, to the 17th century Iroquois Kanata Village, for story-telling, traditional games and an overnight in the longhouse.
Missinaibi Headwaters Outfitters, 8 hours north of Toronto, offers the Polar Bear Express Adventure ($1,745, Youth $1,225, July 21), a nine-day culture/history experience led by Fred Neegan, a 72 year-old Ojibwe-Cree trapper. Beginner level paddlers take the train from Cochrane, ON to Moose River, spend four days canoeing to James Bay, then stay at the new Cree Village Eco-lodge at Moose Factory Island. There's exploring James Bay by boat for birds and beluga whales, a visit to the new Polar Bear Rehabilitation Centre, and return to Cochran by Polar Bear Express train.
Naturally Superior Adventures offers a Musical Tour by Voyageur Canoe, ($660, July 31-Aug 6) from the sleepy town of Rossport on Lake Superior through the new National Marine Conservation Reserve finishing at the Red Rock Folk Festival for a weekend of live Canadian folk music. Travel with acclaimed folk singer Katherine Wheatly, a graduate from Queen's University with a geology degree, who spent five seasons roughing it in the bush, gathering not only rock samples, but material for her songs.
White Squall, located in Parry Sound, offers Geology Rocks the Bay ($730, July 19-23) a Georgian Bay kayak and camping journey with Dr. David Pearson, a geology professor from Laurentian University who has a knack for explaining & interpreting the billion year old history of the Canadian Shield. From August 10-14 the subject switches to Big Waters, Big Sky Astronomy ($730), with avid astronomer, paddler and retired Science and Outdoor Education teacher, Doug Cunningham.
For the second year, Canadian Wilderness Trips helping eight lucky new Canadians learn about Ontario's "outdoor culture", by offering a free New Canadian Citizen's Trip on Canada Day weekend. To be eligible for the all-inclusive weekend canoe trip in Algonquin Park, interested participants must apply by mid-May. Past participants have been from the USA, Algiers, Ireland, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Zimbabwe.
For details on these and other Educational Experiences for 2005, explore the Paddling Ontario Alliance website at www.paddlingontario.com, phone: 705/745-9343 or email: admin@paddlingontario.com
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