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Join us for an unforgettable outdoor experience at Bon Echo Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s most breathtaking natural areas. Famous for its towering cliffs and crystal-clear lakes, Bon Echo is home to Mazinaw Rock, a stunning 100-metre cliff that rises dramatically from the water and is decorated with over 260 Indigenous pictographs, the largest visible collection on the Southern Canadian Shield.
On this trip, students will set up camp together, explore the park’s scenic trails, and take part in a variety of outdoor activities. We’ll hike along the Narrows and Beach Trail, paddle across Mazinaw Lake by canoe, and hike up Mazinaw Rock for incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, students will also build leadership skills through activities like shelter-building and group challenges.
Evenings will be spent sharing meals, enjoying campfires, and participating in fun evening programs that bring everyone together. By the end of the trip, students will have new friendships, hands-on outdoor skills, and lasting memories of their adventure at Bon Echo.
We will spend the first day setting up camp and orienting ourselves before spending a night around the campfire with a shared dinner and games.
Day two, we will take canoes to explore the beautiful Mazinaw Lake and hike the Clifftop Trail. There are a few other hikes there that will take students through Shield territory that's unlike anything you've seen North of Toronto. Students will then participate in a shelter-building and leadership activity. After an afternoon of excitement we will have a hot dinner around the campfire.
On the final day we will have a quick breakfast, break camp and return to school eating lunch en route.
Sleeping Arrangements
We have 4 adjoining campsites booked. Each campsite accommodates 6 people and allows a total of 3 tents.
Washing facilities
Toilets - There are pit latrines throughout the camp. These are essentially a simple toilet built over a deep pit and they are stocked with toilet paper.
Water - There is drinking water on tap available throughout the camp.
Comfort stations - There are also heated comfort stations with indoor, plumbed toilets, hot showers and sinks with both hot and cold water. These are a short walk from our campsites.
Tuesday 7th October
09:30: Bus pickup at Walden International School, drive to Bon Echo Provincial Park
13:30: Arrive, set up camp
15:00 - 17:00: Orientation hike on the Narrows and Beach Trail (3 km)
17:00: Free time
18:30: Dinner and campfire
Wednesday 8th October
08:00: Wake up call
09:00: Breakfast
11:00: Canoe trip and hike to Mazinaw rock
15:00: Shelter-building and leadership activities
18:30: Dinner, campfire and evening program
Thursday 9th October
08:00: Wake up call
08:30: Breakfast
10:00: Break camp
11:00: Depart from the campsite
11:00-15:00: Drive back to Walden International School, eating a Wilderness Union-provided lunch on route
15:00: Estimated return time to Walden International School
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.
This list will help you and your family prepare for a safe and enjoyable camping trip. Please stay up to date on the forecast and pack according to the weather. Items marked “optional” are nice to have but not required.
Important notes:
If you’ll have your period during the trip, here’s a helpful resource with tips for managing menstruation while camping.
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to student's reported dietary requirements)
Stuents are responsible for their own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Day 1 lunch - Student-provided packed lunch
Day 1 dinner - Hot meal
Day 2 breakfast - Hot breakfast
Day 2 lunch - Wraps or sandwiches
Day 2 dinner - Hot meal
Day 3 breakfast - Hot breakfast
Day 3 lunch - Wraps or sandwiches
Day 3 dinner - Back home!
Tea, hot chocolate and all fixings will also be provided.
Students should bring their own snacks!
Wilderness Union will provide:
Students should read all of the instructions in here carefully! It's important that everyone listens to the guides and follows their instructions at all times.
Heat Exhaustion/Sun Exposure - Follow these steps to protect yourself:
Hiking injuries: Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails may be muddy, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: Bears and moose are not uncommon around this area. If you come across a larger animal, back away and alert the group. Your guide will give you further instructions.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and only swim where teachers have explicitly said is safe. Swimming is only allowed under supervision and if you can't swim, you should keep out of the water.
Ticks - Ticks may be 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.
Bon Echo is on the traditional territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. The park has a rich Indigenous history that dates back thousands of years.
The Algonquin Anishinaabe people have lived in the region for generations, and they have a deep connection to the land and the waterways that flow through it. They have a rich oral tradition, which tells stories of their creation and their relationship with the land.
In the park, there are several Indigenous rock art sites that date back over a thousand years. These rock art sites are known as Mazinaw Pictographs, and they are found on the steep rock face of Mazinaw Rock, which is a prominent feature of the park. The pictographs were created using red ochre pigment, and they depict various images, including animals, humans, and geometric shapes. These pictographs were likely created for ceremonial or spiritual purposes.
The Algonquin Anishinaabe people also used the land for hunting, fishing, and gathering. They would hunt moose, deer, and small game and fish for bass, pike, and trout. They would also gather berries, nuts, and other wild edibles. The park is also home to several medicinal plants, which the Algonquin Anishinaabe people would use for traditional healing practices.
Today, the park is still a significant site for the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, and they continue to have a deep connection to the land and the waterways that flow through it. The park works closely with the local Indigenous communities to ensure that their cultural heritage is respected and preserved for future generations.
If you're interested in learning more, the Algonquin Anishnaabe have a great website with a lot of further background that's highly recommended.
Join us for an unforgettable outdoor experience at Bon Echo Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s most breathtaking natural areas. Famous for its towering cliffs and crystal-clear lakes, Bon Echo is home to Mazinaw Rock, a stunning 100-metre cliff that rises dramatically from the water and is decorated with over 260 Indigenous pictographs, the largest visible collection on the Southern Canadian Shield.
On this trip, students will set up camp together, explore the park’s scenic trails, and take part in a variety of outdoor activities. We’ll hike along the Narrows and Beach Trail, paddle across Mazinaw Lake by canoe, and hike up Mazinaw Rock for incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, students will also build leadership skills through activities like shelter-building and group challenges.
Evenings will be spent sharing meals, enjoying campfires, and participating in fun evening programs that bring everyone together. By the end of the trip, students will have new friendships, hands-on outdoor skills, and lasting memories of their adventure at Bon Echo.
We will spend the first day setting up camp and orienting ourselves before spending a night around the campfire with a shared dinner and games.
Day two, we will take canoes to explore the beautiful Mazinaw Lake and hike the Clifftop Trail. There are a few other hikes there that will take students through Shield territory that's unlike anything you've seen North of Toronto. Students will then participate in a shelter-building and leadership activity. After an afternoon of excitement we will have a hot dinner around the campfire.
On the final day we will have a quick breakfast, break camp and return to school eating lunch en route.
Sleeping Arrangements
We have 4 adjoining campsites booked. Each campsite accommodates 6 people and allows a total of 3 tents.
Washing facilities
Toilets - There are pit latrines throughout the camp. These are essentially a simple toilet built over a deep pit and they are stocked with toilet paper.
Water - There is drinking water on tap available throughout the camp.
Comfort stations - There are also heated comfort stations with indoor, plumbed toilets, hot showers and sinks with both hot and cold water. These are a short walk from our campsites.
Tuesday 7th October
09:30: Bus pickup at Walden International School, drive to Bon Echo Provincial Park
13:30: Arrive, set up camp
15:00 - 17:00: Orientation hike on the Narrows and Beach Trail (3 km)
17:00: Free time
18:30: Dinner and campfire
Wednesday 8th October
08:00: Wake up call
09:00: Breakfast
11:00: Canoe trip and hike to Mazinaw rock
15:00: Shelter-building and leadership activities
18:30: Dinner, campfire and evening program
Thursday 9th October
08:00: Wake up call
08:30: Breakfast
10:00: Break camp
11:00: Depart from the campsite
11:00-15:00: Drive back to Walden International School, eating a Wilderness Union-provided lunch on route
15:00: Estimated return time to Walden International School
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.
This list will help you and your family prepare for a safe and enjoyable camping trip. Please stay up to date on the forecast and pack according to the weather. Items marked “optional” are nice to have but not required.
Important notes:
If you’ll have your period during the trip, here’s a helpful resource with tips for managing menstruation while camping.
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to student's reported dietary requirements)
Stuents are responsible for their own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Day 1 lunch - Student-provided packed lunch
Day 1 dinner - Hot meal
Day 2 breakfast - Hot breakfast
Day 2 lunch - Wraps or sandwiches
Day 2 dinner - Hot meal
Day 3 breakfast - Hot breakfast
Day 3 lunch - Wraps or sandwiches
Day 3 dinner - Back home!
Tea, hot chocolate and all fixings will also be provided.
Students should bring their own snacks!
Wilderness Union will provide:
Students should read all of the instructions in here carefully! It's important that everyone listens to the guides and follows their instructions at all times.
Heat Exhaustion/Sun Exposure - Follow these steps to protect yourself:
Hiking injuries: Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails may be muddy, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: Bears and moose are not uncommon around this area. If you come across a larger animal, back away and alert the group. Your guide will give you further instructions.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and only swim where teachers have explicitly said is safe. Swimming is only allowed under supervision and if you can't swim, you should keep out of the water.
Ticks - Ticks may be 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.
Bon Echo is on the traditional territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. The park has a rich Indigenous history that dates back thousands of years.
The Algonquin Anishinaabe people have lived in the region for generations, and they have a deep connection to the land and the waterways that flow through it. They have a rich oral tradition, which tells stories of their creation and their relationship with the land.
In the park, there are several Indigenous rock art sites that date back over a thousand years. These rock art sites are known as Mazinaw Pictographs, and they are found on the steep rock face of Mazinaw Rock, which is a prominent feature of the park. The pictographs were created using red ochre pigment, and they depict various images, including animals, humans, and geometric shapes. These pictographs were likely created for ceremonial or spiritual purposes.
The Algonquin Anishinaabe people also used the land for hunting, fishing, and gathering. They would hunt moose, deer, and small game and fish for bass, pike, and trout. They would also gather berries, nuts, and other wild edibles. The park is also home to several medicinal plants, which the Algonquin Anishinaabe people would use for traditional healing practices.
Today, the park is still a significant site for the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, and they continue to have a deep connection to the land and the waterways that flow through it. The park works closely with the local Indigenous communities to ensure that their cultural heritage is respected and preserved for future generations.
If you're interested in learning more, the Algonquin Anishnaabe have a great website with a lot of further background that's highly recommended.
