Our first group camping trip of the year! We're visiting iconic Algonquin Park, famous for it's massive untouched wilderness, plentiful wildlife and mindblowing scenery.
We're staying at a front-country group site on Whitefish lake, making this an easy introduction to camping for those who haven't been before but also has plenty to offer for more experienced campers.
The Victoria Day long weekend is traditionally the beginning of camping season in Ontario and with luck, it should be pretty warm! We'll be leaving on Saturday morning, returning Monday afternoon.
You'll get to experience all of the things that make camping incredible like:
- Stargazing under the clearest skies you've ever seen
- Eating delicious food and bonding with friends around a campfire
- Swimming in crystal clear lakes
We also have some special activities organized for this trip. We'll be teaching a group canoe lesson then taking you out to explore the islands of Whitefish lake. For those who are up for it, you'll have the option of hiking one of Algonquin's most iconic trails.
If you're new to this, you'll learn to set up camp, start a fire, how to cook outdoors, purify water and any other skills you'll need to join our back-country trips later in the season. The campsite has running water and toilets so you can be as rustic or as comfortable as you feel like! You'll have a comfortable tent pad and spacious tent to sleep in - you may be surprised how well you sleep.
We'll be driving up Saturday morning getting to Algonquin just in time for lunch at the lakeside. After settling in, we'll set up camp on the Whitefish Lake group campsite, pitching tents, hanging hammocks and generally getting settled in. There'll be a chance to explore the campsite and get familiar with our surroundings before a group dinner around the campfire. If we're lucky with clear skies, we'll have incredible stargazing opportunities.
The morning of Sunday, you've got the choice of an early start to hike one of the park's most iconic trails - Centennial Ridges or simply bum around the campsite, chilling out lakeside. After lunch, we hit the water for a canoe lesson for those who need it then a paddle around Whitefish Lake, checking out the various islands. Returning to the site, we'll have a group dinner and hang out around the campfire.
Monday morning, you'll have a final chance to hit the water in the canoes, go for a swim or simply enjoy the peace of being out in nature. We'll pack up before having a final lunch lakeside. We'll leave no later than 2pm, returning home to Toronto early evening.
Campsite Info
We're staying on site 510 of Whitefish Lake campground.
Sleeping Arrangements
We'll be bringing Wilderness Union tents, split according to gender. There's limited space on site so you're unable to bring your own tent but exceptions can be made for hammocks - please message in discord if you plan to do this.
If you reserved gear: We'll be providing a sleeping pad and sleeping bag for you.
Washing facilities
Toilets - There are pit latrines throughout the camp. These are effectively a toilet over a deep hole in the ground and they are stocked with toilet paper.
Water - There is drinking water on tap available throughout the camp
Campsite responsibilities
This trip is an opportunity to build your skills so we'll all be mucking in to make the trip a success. We'll divide up responsibilities on the campsite so you learn how to set up a tent, how to hang a tarp and how to get a campfire going. We'll also share in the work to cook and keep things clean. Is there something you really want to learn while we're out? Do you have skills you could share with the group? Message on Discord and let's work it in.
Saturday 18th May
07:50 - Those getting a ride meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Station. We leave at 08:00. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast.
08:00 - 12:00 - Drive to Algonquin arriving at Whitefish Lake, site 510. You'll find us off the pog lake campground.
12:00 - 13:00 - Packed lunch at Whitefish lake beach
13:00-15:00 - Set up camp
15:00-18:00 - Free time
18:00 - Dinner
Evening - Fireside hangs
Sunday 19th May
Morning - Breakfast and choice of hanging around the campsite or hiking the Centennial Ridges Trail (10km)
Afternoon - Canoeing on whitefish lake
Evening - Campfire time
Monday 20th May
Morning - Enjoy a lazy morning at the campsite before packing up
Afternoon - We head back to Toronto after lunch
18:30 - Anticipated return to Toronto
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Check back here to see how the weather is developing. It should be around 20 degrees during the day!
Clothing:
Pack according to the weather. This is a suggested packing list:
Gear:
Camping Gear/Sleep system
We'll be providing Tents for everyone and a sleeping bag/pad for those who ordered it
Personal Stuff:
Cooking
We'll be providing plates, cutlery and a mug for everyone.
Period Products
Wondering how to handle camping on your period? Here's a great resource with everything you could need to know. If you still have questions, member Chrissy has offered guidance and you can message her privately on Discord.
Random Stuff:
Got light-weight games? Bring em!
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to your dietary requirements) for this adventure along with tea and coffee but no milk.
You're responsible for your own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Saturday lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Saturday night dinner - Gourmet hot meal
Sunday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Sunday lunch - Wraps
Sunday dinner - Hot meal around the campfire
Monday breakfast - chef's choice
Monday lunch - Wraps
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee. You should also bring your own snacks!
We'll provide the following:
Self-drivers will need an additional parking permit, we're connecting with you directly about this.
Water based danger: If you can't swim, keep out of the water. Be aware that the water will still be cold. If you do want to swim, let one of the guides know so we can keep an eye on you. We also ask that you don't canoe without a guide with you.
Sunburn: It's looking like it might be very sunny. Make sure you bring suncream and a hat.
Hiking injuries: There are a lot of rocks on the trail and it's easy to roll an ankle. Be careful when walking and bring poles if helpful.
Getting lost: Stay on the campsite and if you're wandering off, let us know where you'll be going and when you expect to return.
Wildlife: Bears are active in the area. We'll give you a full briefing on bear safety but rest assured that they pose very little threat to us. Want to learn more about wildlife safety? Watch the recording from our session with Ontario Park's bear expert.
It's extremely important that no food is left unattended at the campsite (we've had meals stolen by raccoons before!) and at night, we'll take everything smelly out of bags and keep them safely away from animals.
Ticks: Tick season has started again and they're active in the area we're visiting. Black Legged Ticks have the risk of carrying Lyme disease so it's important that you check yourself thoroughly after each hike. You're also recommended to have your legs covered so it's harder for them to latch on.
Algonquin Park has a rich indigenous history that predates the establishment of the park itself. The park is situated on the traditional territories of several Algonquian-speaking First Nations, including the Algonquin, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat peoples.
For thousands of years, these indigenous communities relied on the land and its resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. They engaged in hunting, fishing, gathering, and agriculture, establishing seasonal camps and villages throughout the region. The lakes, rivers, and forests provided them with a diverse range of food, such as fish, game, berries, and medicinal plants.
The Algonquin people, in particular, have a deep connection to the land that encompasses Algonquin Park. They refer to themselves as Anishinaabe, which translates to "the people" in their language. Their traditional territories extended across a vast area in present-day Ontario and Quebec.
Algonquin Park, as we know it today, was established in 1893 as the first provincial park in Canada. The creation of the park disrupted the traditional way of life for indigenous communities in the area. Many were displaced from their ancestral lands, and their access to resources and sacred sites within the park was restricted.
Despite these challenges, indigenous peoples have maintained their cultural connections to the region. They continue to assert their rights and engage in land stewardship initiatives, collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to protect and preserve their cultural heritage within Algonquin Park.
Our first group camping trip of the year! We're visiting iconic Algonquin Park, famous for it's massive untouched wilderness, plentiful wildlife and mindblowing scenery.
We're staying at a front-country group site on Whitefish lake, making this an easy introduction to camping for those who haven't been before but also has plenty to offer for more experienced campers.
The Victoria Day long weekend is traditionally the beginning of camping season in Ontario and with luck, it should be pretty warm! We'll be leaving on Saturday morning, returning Monday afternoon.
You'll get to experience all of the things that make camping incredible like:
- Stargazing under the clearest skies you've ever seen
- Eating delicious food and bonding with friends around a campfire
- Swimming in crystal clear lakes
We also have some special activities organized for this trip. We'll be teaching a group canoe lesson then taking you out to explore the islands of Whitefish lake. For those who are up for it, you'll have the option of hiking one of Algonquin's most iconic trails.
If you're new to this, you'll learn to set up camp, start a fire, how to cook outdoors, purify water and any other skills you'll need to join our back-country trips later in the season. The campsite has running water and toilets so you can be as rustic or as comfortable as you feel like! You'll have a comfortable tent pad and spacious tent to sleep in - you may be surprised how well you sleep.
We'll be driving up Saturday morning getting to Algonquin just in time for lunch at the lakeside. After settling in, we'll set up camp on the Whitefish Lake group campsite, pitching tents, hanging hammocks and generally getting settled in. There'll be a chance to explore the campsite and get familiar with our surroundings before a group dinner around the campfire. If we're lucky with clear skies, we'll have incredible stargazing opportunities.
The morning of Sunday, you've got the choice of an early start to hike one of the park's most iconic trails - Centennial Ridges or simply bum around the campsite, chilling out lakeside. After lunch, we hit the water for a canoe lesson for those who need it then a paddle around Whitefish Lake, checking out the various islands. Returning to the site, we'll have a group dinner and hang out around the campfire.
Monday morning, you'll have a final chance to hit the water in the canoes, go for a swim or simply enjoy the peace of being out in nature. We'll pack up before having a final lunch lakeside. We'll leave no later than 2pm, returning home to Toronto early evening.
Campsite Info
We're staying on site 510 of Whitefish Lake campground.
Sleeping Arrangements
We'll be bringing Wilderness Union tents, split according to gender. There's limited space on site so you're unable to bring your own tent but exceptions can be made for hammocks - please message in discord if you plan to do this.
If you reserved gear: We'll be providing a sleeping pad and sleeping bag for you.
Washing facilities
Toilets - There are pit latrines throughout the camp. These are effectively a toilet over a deep hole in the ground and they are stocked with toilet paper.
Water - There is drinking water on tap available throughout the camp
Campsite responsibilities
This trip is an opportunity to build your skills so we'll all be mucking in to make the trip a success. We'll divide up responsibilities on the campsite so you learn how to set up a tent, how to hang a tarp and how to get a campfire going. We'll also share in the work to cook and keep things clean. Is there something you really want to learn while we're out? Do you have skills you could share with the group? Message on Discord and let's work it in.
Saturday 18th May
07:50 - Those getting a ride meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Station. We leave at 08:00. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast.
08:00 - 12:00 - Drive to Algonquin arriving at Whitefish Lake, site 510. You'll find us off the pog lake campground.
12:00 - 13:00 - Packed lunch at Whitefish lake beach
13:00-15:00 - Set up camp
15:00-18:00 - Free time
18:00 - Dinner
Evening - Fireside hangs
Sunday 19th May
Morning - Breakfast and choice of hanging around the campsite or hiking the Centennial Ridges Trail (10km)
Afternoon - Canoeing on whitefish lake
Evening - Campfire time
Monday 20th May
Morning - Enjoy a lazy morning at the campsite before packing up
Afternoon - We head back to Toronto after lunch
18:30 - Anticipated return to Toronto
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Check back here to see how the weather is developing. It should be around 20 degrees during the day!
Clothing:
Pack according to the weather. This is a suggested packing list:
Gear:
Camping Gear/Sleep system
We'll be providing Tents for everyone and a sleeping bag/pad for those who ordered it
Personal Stuff:
Cooking
We'll be providing plates, cutlery and a mug for everyone.
Period Products
Wondering how to handle camping on your period? Here's a great resource with everything you could need to know. If you still have questions, member Chrissy has offered guidance and you can message her privately on Discord.
Random Stuff:
Got light-weight games? Bring em!
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to your dietary requirements) for this adventure along with tea and coffee but no milk.
You're responsible for your own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Saturday lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Saturday night dinner - Gourmet hot meal
Sunday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Sunday lunch - Wraps
Sunday dinner - Hot meal around the campfire
Monday breakfast - chef's choice
Monday lunch - Wraps
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee. You should also bring your own snacks!
We'll provide the following:
Self-drivers will need an additional parking permit, we're connecting with you directly about this.
Water based danger: If you can't swim, keep out of the water. Be aware that the water will still be cold. If you do want to swim, let one of the guides know so we can keep an eye on you. We also ask that you don't canoe without a guide with you.
Sunburn: It's looking like it might be very sunny. Make sure you bring suncream and a hat.
Hiking injuries: There are a lot of rocks on the trail and it's easy to roll an ankle. Be careful when walking and bring poles if helpful.
Getting lost: Stay on the campsite and if you're wandering off, let us know where you'll be going and when you expect to return.
Wildlife: Bears are active in the area. We'll give you a full briefing on bear safety but rest assured that they pose very little threat to us. Want to learn more about wildlife safety? Watch the recording from our session with Ontario Park's bear expert.
It's extremely important that no food is left unattended at the campsite (we've had meals stolen by raccoons before!) and at night, we'll take everything smelly out of bags and keep them safely away from animals.
Ticks: Tick season has started again and they're active in the area we're visiting. Black Legged Ticks have the risk of carrying Lyme disease so it's important that you check yourself thoroughly after each hike. You're also recommended to have your legs covered so it's harder for them to latch on.
Algonquin Park has a rich indigenous history that predates the establishment of the park itself. The park is situated on the traditional territories of several Algonquian-speaking First Nations, including the Algonquin, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat peoples.
For thousands of years, these indigenous communities relied on the land and its resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. They engaged in hunting, fishing, gathering, and agriculture, establishing seasonal camps and villages throughout the region. The lakes, rivers, and forests provided them with a diverse range of food, such as fish, game, berries, and medicinal plants.
The Algonquin people, in particular, have a deep connection to the land that encompasses Algonquin Park. They refer to themselves as Anishinaabe, which translates to "the people" in their language. Their traditional territories extended across a vast area in present-day Ontario and Quebec.
Algonquin Park, as we know it today, was established in 1893 as the first provincial park in Canada. The creation of the park disrupted the traditional way of life for indigenous communities in the area. Many were displaced from their ancestral lands, and their access to resources and sacred sites within the park was restricted.
Despite these challenges, indigenous peoples have maintained their cultural connections to the region. They continue to assert their rights and engage in land stewardship initiatives, collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to protect and preserve their cultural heritage within Algonquin Park.
