Introduction
Chocpaw Expeditions provides canoe trips designed to meet the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme. Due to the huge response to the canoeing and hiking programmes this summer we have posted the dates for the canoeing and hiking trips for June to Septebmer 2010. We already have many spots reserved and some dates are close to being filled.
Overview of Algonquin Park 4‑Day Duke of Edinburgh Canoe Trip
As an outdoor experiential education specialist, Chocpaw Expeditions creates innovative canoe trips into Algonquin Park. Educational programs include: Algonquin Park ecology, leadership development, sustainable living, traditional Canadian travel, survival, relationship building, local culture, group problem solving and self‑management skills. Algonquin Park is Canada’s favourite canoe adventure destination as well as its number one environmental research site, making this an ideal location for outdoor education. Chocpaw works with your school to help develop a program specifically for your student population and each trip is catered to the group.
The following itinerary is intended to give you an idea of a 4‑day Algonquin Park school canoe trip. Each Algonquin Park school canoe trip is 100% customized.
- DAY 1
9:30 a.m. rendezvous at Chocpaw Expedition’s head office in South River, Ontario situated at Algonquin Park’s northwest corner. After an orientation, brief lesson and lunch, we travel to the access point and canoe across Round Lake into Algonquin Park. Along the way we learn how to paddle, portage, navigate and enjoy an introduction to the park and its natural environment. We set up camp on a scenic point covered in pine trees and enjoy our first meal and campfire of the adventure. Learn how to set your campsite following the “leave no trace” guidelines and receive the most out of your wilderness home . At the end of the day we lie in our tents and nod off listening to the night forest folks and gentle lapping of the water.
- DAY 2
Watch the sun rise over the lake as we paddle in search of moose and other wildlife. Take advantage of ideal photography opportunities as we enjoy a hot breakfast along the shore. Afterwards, we paddle east through a series of classic Algonquin Park water ways. A floating lunch gives us the energy to paddle into wetlands where we will have a great opportunity to see beaver, great blue heron and moose. Our final stop is at a beautiful lake where dinner cooked over the fire satisfies our appetites as we exchange stories, legends and myths of travelling through the Canadian wilderness along with learning about the stars and constellations hovering high above us.- DAY 3
The aroma of coffee and bacon frying gets you out of your sleeping bags and up for breakfast. After packing up camp, we head out for a series of portages through mixed maple forest learning about the unique mix of flora and fauna in the area. Options allow you to learn to solo a canoe and to navigate as we paddle back towards the starting point, stopping along the way for another floating lunch. We reach our last campsite of the adventure and settle in once more. Enjoy another great meal in the outdoors and evening campfire as we reflect on the trip.- Day 4
After a tasty breakfast, we break camp and begin our paddle back to the access point. Along the way we learn more about the environment and wildlife around us. Stopping for one last look at the amazing park’s ecosystem we arrive at the access point and end the trip travel back at Chocpaw’s office for lunch and to debrief the adventure.Starting Dates for Duke of Edinburgh Canoe Trip – 2010
The dates below are for Qualifying Expeditions. If you require Training and Practise before your Qualifying trip, we can arrange that as well.
Pre-trip accommodation and meals can be arranged at the Northridge Inn or the Algonquin Motel.
We will pick up participants at the bus or train stop in South River for those travelling by either bus or train. Bus and train service is provided by Ontario Northland (www.ontarionorthland.ca)
If you have a group of 4 or more participants you can select your own dates and we will attempt to accommodate your group.
A clothing and equipment list can be found at canoe trip downloadable package along with the Registration and Medical Forms, which have to be submitted at least three weeks prior to your expedition.
Dates for Duke of Edinburgh Canoe Expeditions
June 2010:
Practise and Training – Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27
Silver – Monday, June 28 to Wednesday, June 30
Gold – Monday, June 28 to Thursday, July 1
July 2010:
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
Silver – Monday, July 5 to Wednesday, July 7
Gold – Monday, July 5 to Thursday, July 8
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11
Silver – Monday, July 12 to Wednesday, June 14
Gold – Monday, July 12 to Thursday, July 15
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18
Silver – Monday, July 19 to Wednesday, July 21
Gold – Monday, July 19 to Thursday, July 22
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25
Silver – Monday, July 26 to Wednesday, July 28
Gold – Monday, July 26 to Thursday, July 29
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1
Silver – Monday, August 2 to Wednesday, August 4
Gold – Monday, August 2 to Thursday, August 5
August 2010:
Practise and Training – Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1
Silver – Monday, August 2 to Wednesday, August 4
Gold – Monday, August 2 to Thursday, August 5
Practise and Training – Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8
Silver – Monday, August 9 to Wednesday, August 11
Gold – Monday, August 9 to Thursday, August 12
Practise and Training – Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15
Silver – Monday, August 16 to Wednesday, August 18
Gold – Monday, August 16 to Thursday, August 19
Practise and Training – Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22
Silver – Monday, August 23 to Wednesday, August 25
Gold – Monday, August 23 to Thursday, August 26
Practise and Training – Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29
Silver – Monday, August 30 to Wednesday, September 1
Gold – Monday, August 30 to Thursday, September 2
Rates for Duke of Edinburgh Canoe Trips – 2010
Gold Qualifying Trip – 4 days, 3 nights – $375.00 plus applicable taxes per person.
Silver Qualifying Trip – 3 days, 2 nights – $285.00 plus applicable taxes per person.
Bronze Qualifying Trip – 2 days, 1 night – $185.00 plus applicable taxes per person
Training and Practise Trip – 2 days, 1 night – $185.00 plus applicable taxes per person
Accommodation pre-trip is extra.
Contacting Chocpaw Expeditions
P.O. Box 674, I Industrial Park Road, South River, Ontario, P0A 1X0
Phone/Fax – 705 – 386-0344
e-mail – chocpaw@on.aibn.com
