Outdoor Adventure Camps for Young Women ages 13-15 and 14-16
The Trip for Young Women is a place to discover and celebrate your unique gifts. It's an opportunity to realize your potential and what you are capable of. It's an experience that will help you understand who you are and what type of woman you want to be.
OUR YOUNG WOMEN'S TRIP is a 3 ½ week canoe camp program that helps equip girls with the tools they need to be strong woman in our culture- women who embrace femininity, adventure, integrity, challenge and community. Sections of 8 to 10 young women, along with two of our most experienced female leaders, embark on a 19 day canoe trip through the regions surrounding our island base camp. We run a Young Women's trip 1st session for girls ages 13-15 and one 2nd session for girls ages 14-16. No previous outdoor experience necessary.
There is a wonderful camaraderie that comes with sharing adventures and living intimately with a group of like minded young women. Each section will spend time in base camp at the beginning and end of the session. There they will enjoy the larger community along with our coed sections. Once they head out on their canoe trip though, they begin to form the strong bonds that distinguish this unique and important experience.
Depending on the age and experience level of the group, a Young Women’s trip may travel the breathtaking local waterways of the Temagami region or a more challenging whitewater river in Ontario or Quebec. Our experience is that these trips are less about where you go and much more about how you get there.
With no fuel for judgment, concerns about appearance or the formation of cliques young women can peel off the layers of societal norms and expectations. Working together to meet the challenges of wilderness living and traveling through the unspoiled beauty of the region, they learn how to live without accessories and how to be themselves. They learn to embrace each others differences, honour their individuality and discover their own gifts. They learn to support one another, trust one another and how to build a strong, healthy community.
The transformation of these girls from the outset of their journey to the final paddle back to basecamp is remarkable. What often begins as a self conscious, apprehensive and disconnected group of girls quickly evolves into an empowered, confident and cohesive group of young women.
As two parents who joined us for our end of session BBQ and celbration wrote:
"When we arrived in Temagami we were caught off-guard by the staggering beauty of the lake and the incomparable strength of the young women at base camp. The sensory experience of seeing the camp, hearing the experiences and stories, feeling the power, strength and self- confidence radiate from the young women in our daughter’s group, and tasting not only the wonderful food, but the atmosphere of the camp was almost overwhelming. I found myself having to leave the camp and go look out on the lake and compose myself.
We never knew the extent of the power of the experience that Kat has had each year. Stories tell only part of the adventure-the rest has to be seen and experienced. Although we were only at Temagami for a short time, it has left a lasting impression. We will be back for a longer visit to fully appreciate what the lake has to offer and to enjoy what Kat has come to believe as her sanctuary from her 'regular' life.
Each year, you thank us for entrusting our daughters to you. It is our turn to thank you for offering this demanding and unique experience that makes each girl dig deep within themselves and begin to appreciate the depth of spirit and strength that they possess. We feel honored and blessed that Kat has the people, the trip and the Northwaters experience in her life. It makes her a better person." - Marti & Barry
Here are a few excerpts from a Trip for Young Women journal:
Maple Mountain was difficult to climb, but well worth the hike. After a long, long, loooong hike we finally climbed over the highest peak and caught our breaths at the sight before us. Where we stood, on the second highest point in Ontario, huge lakes, vast quantities of forest and rolling hills stretched out before us. After dinner we witnessed an amazing sunset; the bright orange-yellow sun dropping behind purple peaks. We watched the stars in our sleeping bags as they appeared in the cloudless sky. We made wishes on shooting stars and found different constellations. Finally we retired to our tent and snuggled together because of the sharp cold outside. In the morning we began our descent after a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and granola. AS
Yesterday we had a circle at lunchtime. I think it was the best circle I've ever been in. We talked about what one thing there is at home that is nice to get away from. It was nice to be able to say what I had to say, but the best part was hearing what everyone else had to say tooI learned more about everyone and I said some stuff I wouldn't normally share (with more than one other person). Now I'm just looking forward to swimming and enjoying the rest of our day! TM
I've met some really cool people here ever since I've been out here everyone around me tried to help me out with everything and I did the same for them. I care about all of them as if they were my sisters and I've known them all my life. They are really cool and I want to thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. KD
Laying here listening to the roar of the waterfall as it crashes onto the rocks, I feel at peace with myself. The past few days feel as if they've flown by without us even realizing it. But now as I have the time to really think about it I understand how fortunate I am to be here in the beauty of the wilderness and in the company of seven other great people. And as I sit here I'm so amazed at how things work out because by just looking around at the beauty around me I feel truly blessed. SS
