After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha’s ‘Adventure in Understanding’ canoe trip is back for summer 2022 and is seeking participants.
The six-day and five-night canoe trip will see 20 First Nations and non-native youth aged 16 to 18 years, along with four trip leaders, paddle three 26-foot Voyageur canoes on a 100-kilometre camping adventure along the Trent-Severn Waterway from Peterborough to Curve Lake First Nation.
Developed by the Rotary Club with the support of the Curve Lake First Nation youth committee, Camp Kawartha, and the Canadian Canoe Museum, the co-ed program ran for six years, from 2014 to 2019, until the pandemic cancelled the trip for the past two years.
During this year’s journey, participants will learn about the ecological and cultural importance of water while travelling over the Peterborough Lift Lock, experiencing the “teaching rocks” at Petroglyphs Provincial Park, and visiting with Curve Lake Elders. They will also play native games, practice native skills, swim, sing, share stories, and make new friends.
This year’s trip departs from Beavermead Park in Peterborough on Saturday, August 28th and arrives at Curve Lake First Nation on Friday, September 2nd, with overnight stops along the way at Champlain College at Trent University, Lakefield, Camp Kawartha, and Wolf Island Provincial Park.
Past Adventure in Understanding participants speak about gaining a new respect for our land, learning about different cultures, developing new friendships, and experiencing the sense of achievement that comes from paddling 100 kilometres.
The Adventure In Understanding program is open to all youth, whether related to Rotarians or not. While many of youth who have participated in the program in the past have been sponsored by Rotary Clubs, the program also accepts registrations from individuals.
Application and related forms for the 2022 trip are available at pkaiu.com, where you can also find more information about the program and past trips.
The cost per participant is $400, which includes all meals and equipment except for a sleeping bag, ground sheet or thermarest, and personal belongings such as clothes and toiletries. Applications are due by Monday, August 1st.
