Why Canoe Tripping?

A wilderness canoe trip grows a child into a voyageur - a nature lover who feels proud of herself, a paddler and a portager who knows he can master challenge.

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Algonquin Park's 3000 square miles of lake and forest is the backdrop for an adventure to nurture soul and spirit. Canoe tripping is where we meet our best self, in the sparkling rivers we paddle, the lakes we cross, the campfire's glow at dusk.

For our youngest campers, their first canoe trip is a gentle introduction to the path of the paddle - short canoeing days with minimal portaging and lots of time to have fun on the campsite swimming and learning to build a fire and cook on it, playing games with the counsellors in the woods. Juniors go on a three or four day canoe trips, which have a special focus on ecology, conservation, and acclimatizing to the natural environment.

For our older campers, our canoe trips are skill building experiences that open the door to a lifetime of backcountry adventure. Inters go on four day trip, with a special focus on developing essential hard skills, like knot tying, map and compass navigation, shelter building, and campfire cooking. Senior trips are five and six days, and focus on developing skills and confidence in wilderness leadership, refining skills, and building lifelong bonds.

Older campers may also choose a White Water canoe trip instead of a Flat Water Canoe Trip. This offers an introductory White Water paddling experience. Longer trips of seven, eight, ten, and fourteen days are available for Inters and Seniors as well, in both Flat Water and White Water options.

"Camp Arowhon is honestly the greatest place in the universe. If I had to describe my experience at Camp Arowhon in three words, they would be: exhilarating, because of how exciting everything at camp is and all the energy around you; comforting, because you know that camp will always be there for you; and suspenseful, because of how you absolutely just cannot wait to come back next summer and experience pure joy and happiness all over again. "

...experience first-hand the beauty of a world class canoeing destination...

Algonquin Park Canoe Routes

Juniors


  • A Night at the Green Leech Hotel


  • Burnt and Back!

Inters


  • Sunbeam Circuit Sunset Cruise


  • Southern Teardrop Loop


  • The Rain Lake Rumble

Seniors


  • Big Trout Bonanaza


  • Whitney or Bust!


  • Kioshkok - What?

Routes may change depending on availability of Algonquin Park backcountry permits, weather, and at the discretion of Camp Arowhon.

For more information, please email [email protected]

...open up a whole new world of adventure...

White Water


  • Madawaska River

    Introduction to White Water

    Duration:

    4 Days or 5 Days

    Available to:

    Sinters, Larges, 38's (Ages 13 and 14)

    Sinter, Larges and 38's have the opportunity to explore one of Ontario's best teaching rapids and river systems, during a 4 or 5 day Introduction to White Water Paddling trip.

    While camped out at Jessups Campground, just outside the town of Palmer Rapids, 1.5 hours from Camp Arowhon, campers will learn and practice fundamental skills for white water paddling – including defensive swimming, throw bagging, river communication, and paddle strokes.They'll be taught by Arowhon Trip leaders certified in White Water Rescue. Campers will put their skills into practice without leaving Jessups – the perfect playground of Piano Rock is less than 150 metres away!

    After 2 days full of practice and learning, campers will embark on an exploration of the Lower Madawaska River. Inters, ages 12 and 13, will run the river south as far as Aumonds Bay, 21 km from Jessups, while Seniors, ages 13 and 14, will explore as far as the town of Griffith, located 42 km from Jessups.

    Total Distance Paddled :

    Inters - 21km

    Seniors – 42km

    Total Distance Portaged :

    Inters – 0.0km to .950km (dependant on water levels)

    Seniors – 1.5km to 4.6km (dependant on water levels)

    Click below for a detailed map of the route

    Burnt and Back Map for Website


  • Temagami River

    Intermediate White Water


  • Magnetawan River

    Wilderness White Water

Routes may change depending on availability of backcountry permits, weather, water levels and at the discretion of Camp Arowhon.

For more information, or to sign up for a White Water Canoe Trip, please email [email protected]

...the first step on the journey of a lifetime...

Long Trips

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Why Longer trips?

We challenge ourselves in a hundred different ways every day of our lives; each instance teaches us a little bit more about ourselves, about our capabilities, about the people and the world around us. Rarely, however, do we push ourselves in these challenges, to see just how much we can learn, how far we can stretch, how much we are truly capable of.

Longer trips are an opportunity to do just that. We put our skills to the test. On shorter trips, there's always the feeling that it doesn't really matter - "I'm going to be home tomorrow, so what does it matter if my sleeping bag is wet?" or "Who cares what this mac & cheese tastes like - tomorrow, we're having brisket back at camp!". On a Long Trip, it pays to take your time while cooking, to put in that extra effort to stay dry, to wash your dishes - because you (and everyone you're with!) have to live with the consequences.

Longer trips grant us access to places - both within ourselves, and in the natural environment - we wouldn't get to otherwise. The virgin white pine forests of Obabika Lake, the soaring cliffs of the Natch - these aren't things you can see for free. There's a cost to get there - one that makes the final product that much better. Something more. Long Trippers often speak of a 'zen-like peace' that comes with being on trip for 8, 10 or 14 days; a result of synchronizing with the rhythms of your body, your mind, and the natural world, of being away from the noise and clamour of the city. A peace that changes how you see, think, feel and act. This is the lesson taught by long trips - one that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

That's why we believe in longer trips.

"What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other travel. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred miles on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred miles in a canoe and you are already a child of nature."

- Pierre Elliot Trudeau

"Believe an expert:you will find something far greater in the woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you cannot learn from the masters."

7 Days

Available to:

Minters and Sinters

Ages 11 -13

2022 Routes
1st Session TBD
2nd Session TBD

9 to 10 Days

Available to:

Sinters and Seniors

Ages 12 -15

2022 Routes
1st Session TBD
2nd Session TBD

14 Days

Available to:

Seniors

Ages 13 -15

2022 Routes
1st Session TBD
2nd Session TBD

Routes may change depending on availability of backcountry permits, weather, water levels and at the discretion of Camp Arowhon.

For more information, or to sign up for a Long Trip, please email [email protected]

...there's no such thing as bad weather; only poor preparation....

What Do I Need to Bring with Me?

Click HERE for a printable packing list

Clothing:

      • 1 Rain Coat (make sure it zips up - NOT SNAPS – and make sure it fits, even when you're wearing ALL the clothing on this list AT ONCE)
      • 1 pair of rain pants (see above)
      • 1 pair wet shoes( Keens or similar– something with a snug heel and closed toeNO FLIP FLOPS)
      • 1 pair dry shoes( Keens or Similar– something with a snug heel and closed toeNO FLIP FLOPS)
      • 3 - 4 pair wool socks
      • 3 pairs underwear (Nylon or synthetic is best)
      • 2 sports bras (nylon, spandex or similar synthetic fabric preferred) (if required)
      • 1 pair shorts (nylon, spandex or similar synthetic fabric)
      • 1 pair of pants (nylon, spandex or similar synthetic fabric)
      • 1 pair of quick dry long pants (nylon, spandex or similar synthetic fabric)
      • 1 pair of long-underwear or fleece pants (spandex, polar fleece, merino wool or similar synthetic fabric)
      • 2 t-shirt or tank tops (nylon, spandex or similar synthetic fabric preferred)
      • 1 long sleeve t-shirt (preferably nylon or another synthetic material)
      • 1 warm fleece or jacket (nylon or another synthetic material)
      • 1 bathing suit

Gear:

      • One 30L – 35L Dry Bag (everything on this list should fit INSIDE with enough room to close the drybag properly) (Campers should be able to do so UNASSISTED)
      • Sleeping Bag rated to 7 degrees or lower, should include a 'compression' style stuff sack. Must fit in drybag leaving enough space for all other items to fit as well
      • 1 sleeping pad or Thermarest (These are available at camp if desired) (optional)
      • 1 toque
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens
      • 1 towel (preferably a 'Pack Towel' or 'Travellers Towel')
      • 1 pair sunglasses
      • 1 toothbrush
      • Extra pads, tampons, etc. (if required)
      • 1 water bottle (1 L or bigger, durable with an attached lid, like a Nalgene bottle)
      • 1 carabiner (for attaching your water bottle to your PFD on ortages)
      • 1 SMALL flashlight or headlamp
      • Extra Batteries
      • 1 sun hat
      • 1 whistle (attached to PFD)
      • 1 pair sunglasses
      • 1 PFD ( Camp will provide if needed – contact office for rental)
      • 1 paddle ( Camp will provide if needed)
      • 1 bug jacket, hat or suit

Optional Extras (packed in dry bag):

      • A book
      • A small journal and pen / paper
      • A deck of cards
      • A SMALL kneeling pad or situpon (NO CAMP CHAIRS, CRAZY CREEKS ETC.)
      • A bandana
      • A fanny pack / bumbag for small personal items
      • 1 tube or tub of lipbalm
      • A camera
      • 1 pair paddling gloves
      • Extra glasses, contact lenses etc. (if required)

NO GO'S – ITEMS NOT TO BRING:

      • Knives, axes, firearms
      • Hairspray, deodorant, make up, moisturizers, other cosmetic products
      • Extra food / snacks
      • Drugs, alchool, tobacco
      • Cell phones, Game Boys, iPods, other electronics (except cameras)
      • Jeans, hoodies or other heavy cotton clothing

Canoe Tripping can be tough on stuff - things get lost, broken, and dirty, so we recommend that if you don't have something on this list, see if you can get it second hand, as a hand me down, or are okay if it doesn't make it home after camp!

Our primary concerns with this packing list are warmth, durability and weight (especially when wet).

Cotton is none of these things; it is heavy when wet, makes you colder when wet ( and takes forever to dry), and doesn't stand up to very much wear and tear.

Nylon, and most other synthetic materials, have all of the qualities we're looking for – warm even when wet, doesn't hold much water (so its light when wet AND it dries very quickly), and is very durable.

Wool (and merino wool especially) are ideal.

* a good tip is to fold and tightly roll all your clothing, and pack it inside your sleeping bag stuff sack; your sleeping bag can be packed loose into the drybag, and the clothes placed in top, in the stuff sack. This will make packing / unpacking less chaotic, and your stuff sack can be used as a pillow at night!

* We recommend a second stuff sack for other 'loose' items in your dry bag – again, keeping your stuff together and organized on trip will make for a more comfortable trip, and help to keep packing / unpacking times down

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