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Canoe camp empowering girls through adventure, community and creativity.
NORTHERN LIGHTS is an empowering 2-week canoe trip by girls, for girls, that allows a young women to connect to her authentic self—apart from the expectations of today's media and culture. Weaving current educational, psychological and anthropological research with our 40 years of experience in outdoor education, we offer a wilderness canoe camp experience that will help your daughter enter adolescence with enhanced confidence and strength of spirit.
When the girls arrive at our island base camp we welcome them with a home cooked dinner and settle them into cabins. Afterward we have a community gathering where returning participants and leaders share stories of their own first experiences at Northwaters. The next day in base camp we weave practical canoe tripping skills with team building, native crafts, storytelling and fun activities designed to foster trust and inspire sharing.
Our goal is to help each girl feel a part of the community from the beginning. Once we get to know each of the girls, we split into smaller tripping sections of 6-8 (based on age, experience level and individual needs). Each section, guided by two of our most experienced leaders, sets out on a 10 day canoe journey tailored to meet the specific goals of its unique group.
Our girls' canoe trips paddle through some of the most beautiful country in eastern Canada—from pristine lakes with crystal clear blue water and ancient pine forests to gentle rivers that wind their way through the Cambrian Shield. Girls will learn how to set up and take down camp, care for equipment, cook meals and share responsibilities as they travel. The primary goal of each canoe trip is to create a trusting community in which each girl can find her own voice.
WHEN THE GIRLS PADDLE in to base camp at the end of their canoe trip, each section is greeted with cheers and a warm welcome! The air is filled with laughter, excitement and a sense of justifiable pride. That evening the girls share stories about their adventures with poetry, songs or skits. The celebration continues the following day with a bit of rest and relaxation including creative projects that honour their adventure Girls gather in the kitchen with our cook to prepare for the celebratory feast, making pizzas which we then bake in our own outdoor brick oven. Then its time for singing, dancing and enjoying the feast! Finally, as the sun begins to set, we close the evening with our traditional closing ceremony in which each girl is individually honoured by her trip leaders.
Early the next morning, the girls pile their gear into our boats for the journey back into the village of Temagami to begin their trip home to family and friends. There are lots of hugs and some tears as good-byes are exchanged. It is our hope that each girl is left not only with memories of a very special wilderness experience, but with an enduring strength of spirit to help her make her way in today's world.
What parents have said:
"This letter has been long in the writing, but the feelings of gratitude which are at its core have been living in us since Ava's return from Northern Lights in July. She had such a wonderful experience. It was such a big deal for us to send Ava, who'd really never been away from us for any length of time, on an airplane alone to Canada! Yet it worked wonderfully, due to all the conscientious hard work of all your staff. Ava found the experience challenging, fun, exciting, and most of all, a confirmation of all she is and hopes to be. We couldn't have asked for more. Her trip guides, Estair and Alex, also were so wonderful. She loved and admired them both. Their strength, skill, and grace made a big impression on her. We're so grateful for her to have such admirable role models. She loved their sense of fun and good humor, too, and she loved being read to-what a lovely idea! So, thanks so much to all of you. We'll definitely hope to send Ava back and I will tell my friends about you." —All the best, Carol and Jack
What the girls have said:
"Since I returned home, things are different-clearer. I realize it's not the things I have that are important—it's what's in my heart. For the first time I had a glimpse of who I really am." -CD
"There's a saying which goes: 'the best way to find yourself is to go where you don't have to be anything else then yourself'. I found that place-it's up in Canada where the trees are one's soul mates and the water surrounding you is the biggest source of energy. I just want to thank you for introducing me to this place, and helping me find myself." - FS
How can we help our daughters find their way in today's world?
IMAGINE A PLACE where your daughter could realize her full potential. A place where she was encouraged to be independent, adventuresome and confident. A place that explored choices- so that her future would be full of unlimited possibility! A place where days would be spent paddling ancient lakes carved by glaciers... whose waters remain unchanged to this day. A place where her creativity would be celebrated through clay, drawing, writing and storytelling. A place where nights around a campfire would be filled with the call of loons, Northern Lights and traditional stories from around the world, stories about young women, just like her, coming of age.
Imagine a place where your daughter could be both challenged and nurtured. A place where she could come to understand the true meaning of friendship and the true meaning of community. A place where she could talk freely of her hopes and dreams, her thoughts and feelings. An authentic place, to find balance, free from texting and screen time. A place to have FUN! A place to sing! A place where she would feel welcome as she crosses the bridge from childhood to adolescence. A place where this important time of transition was recognized and honoured. Imagine a place, where in the company of other young women, she could grow strong in spirit.
We believe Northwaters is such a place. We believe Northern Lights is such a program.