Frequently Asked Questions

Participants are placed into groups, or sections, for particular trips based on age, maturity, experience, personality and physical capacity.  There is a general progression, but the primary consideration is always to place each participant in a group of similarly capable peers, and on a trip which provides an appropriate level of adventure and challenge.  New participants are placed in groups after their initial days in base camp, returning participants are invited by program directors to return for particular trips.  This system allows us to get to know each participant and place them accordingly.

The general trip progression is outlined below. Please keep in mind that what’s appropriate for one participant may not suit another, and placements (along with route selections) are made in light of what is best for the individual and the whole group. Participants and parents are encouraged to contact Program Directors if they would like to discuss individual placements.

Introductory/Beginner Canoe Routes (10 & 19 days)
Introductory/Beginner routes are designed to meet younger participants at a place where they can learn the basic skills needed for wilderness travel and feel comfortable travelling simply on the land.  The emphasis of these trips is on fun and appropriate levels of challenge.  The distance travelled and number of portages each day are dictated by the groups capacity, rather then a more rigid expedition plan (which requires certain distances to be covered each day).

Generally, beginner and introductory routes are for participants joining us for the first or second time between the ages of 10 and 13.  Storytelling, crafting, and games are used to frame and process the experience for each individual and build community.  Depending on the age a participant begins with us (and their maturity level), they may do 1, 2, sometimes even 3 of these routes—each consecutive adventure building upon the experiences from the previous summer.

All Northern Lights, Langskib 2-weeks, Vikings, and the younger, 1^st year All-Girls sections fall into this category.

Novice Canoe Routes (19 days)
These routes move sections deeper into the interior of the Temagami Wilderness.  They are designed to meet the budding adolescent at a place where they can hone basic wilderness canoe tripping skills while learning to be a valued member of a group/community.  Participants take on more responsibility and accountability. While emphasis remains on fun, adventure, and being comfortable on trail, an exploration of both the outer (physical) and inner (emotional) journey begins here.   Participants are encouraged to articulate their values as community members and individuals, and begin an exploration of themselves (in terms of who they strive to be in this world).

Physically, these routes are moderately flexible (in terms of a ‘day-to-day’ trip plan). Sections may experience one or two days of moving water (“whitewater”) along the route, but predominately travel flat water.   Generally, novice canoe routes are for slightly older participants joining us for the first time (12 and up) and returning participants from our 2-week programs and the Langskib Viking section.  Depending on the age a participant begins with us (and their maturity level) they may do 1 or 2 novice canoe routes – each consecutive adventure building upon the experience from the previous summer.

Typical novice canoe routes may include (but are not limited to):

• Makobe River
• Lost Lakes
• Florence Lake
• Lady Evelyn River
• Center Falls

Intermediate Canoe Routes, (19 days)
Intermediate routes see some of the most spectacular back country in the Temagami region. The remoteness of these trips require participants to have defined canoe tripping skills and a clear understanding of expedition mentality. Physically these routes require a more rigid trip plan (day to day route goals), include numerous, technical portages, and long days at the paddle. Intermediate routes include a basic introduction to moving water (“whitewater”) and spend anywhere from 3 to 5 days travelling downstream. Fun and adventure prevail, but the underlying themes are working together, trusting one another, building strong community, personal growth, and empowerment.

Generally, intermediate routes are for older participants joining us for the first time (13 and up) and returning participants with 1 to 3 trips under their belt.  Depending on the age a participant begins with us (and their maturity level), they may do 1 or 2 intermediate routes – each consecutive adventure building upon the experience from the previous summer.

*First year participants (ages 13 and up) may be placed on an Intermediate level trip.  They will join a group that includes returning (or more experienced) participants who will help teach and model the skills required in an effort to get less experienced trip mates ‘up to speed’.

Typical intermediate canoe routes may include (but are not limited to):

• Sturgeon River
• Wolf Lake
• Temagami River
• Spanish River

Advanced Canoe Routes, (19 days)
Advanced routes are a physical exploration of moving water and river travel.  Time is taken early in the experience to teach, practice and understand the nature of moving water and the new skills required to travel it safely.   At this stage, participants should have adequate canoe tripping and backcountry experience with NWL (or equivalent experience elsewhere). The bulk of these expeditions take place outside of the Temagami region and require additional transportation (shuttles) on either end of the route (sometimes both).   Physically, these routes require rigid trip plans (day to day route goals) and include anywhere from 6 to 8 days of continuous river travel.

With an older, more mature section comes the capacity to balance task and process (or the outer journey and the inner journey).  Groups are encouraged to work towards cohesion, trust and communication early in the expedition—this requires intentional facilitation to cultivate a greater understanding of the group and the individuals within it.  Throughout the expedition, participants are encouraged and supported to work on areas they are struggling with (physically and/or emotionally), discover and cultivate leadership skills, and honoured for their gifts and their strengths.

Generally, advanced canoe routes are for older participants joining us for the first time (14 and up) and returning participants with 2 to 4 trips under their belt.  Depending on the age a participant begins with us (and their maturity level), they may do 1 or 2 advanced routes – each consecutive adventure building upon the experience from the previous summer.

*First year participants (ages 14 and up) may be placed on an advanced level trip at the Program Directors’ discretion.  They will join a group that includes returning (or more experienced) participants who will help teach and model the skills required in an effort to get less experienced trip mates ‘up to speed’.

Typical advanced canoe routes may include (but are not limited to):

• Dumoine River
• Coulonge River
• Missinaibi River
• Bloodvein River

Bay Trip – by invitation (from Program Directors) only, (19 days)
This is a once in a lifetime trip for experienced canoeists who have demonstrated the skills, maturity, and group-oriented mindset necessary for a challenging, remote expedition with NWL.  Advanced whitewater paddling proficiency is required along with maturity and leadership skills and/or documented leadership potential.  Participants who have demonstrated attributes such as: reliability, open-mindedness, flexibility, responsibility, honesty, empathy, independent thinking, good communication skills, initiative, resiliency, resourcefulness and a willingness to learn/grow are considered for this expedition.  Only participants who have done previous trips with our organization may be invited on a Bay Trip.

This section leaves Temagami by van and travels north to the town of Amos, Quebec to their ‘put in’ on the Harricana River.  From here the river descends roughly 300km to the coast of the James Bay. The final leg of the journey is a crossing of the southern tip of the James Bay to the Moose River.  Once they reach the Moose River, they paddle upstream to the town of Moosonee where they catch the Polar Bear Express train south to Cochrane for a final shuttle back to basecamp. This trip requires precise, remote-expedition planning and skill.  It is lead by canoe guides with considerable experience with our organization and in the field.

Emotionally, this trip requires participants to have a strong community orientation (actions and beliefs originate from the concept that individuals communicate openly, respectfully and honestly with one another). It requires a high level of perseverance (the ability to thrive on challenge, embracing change and doing what is needed to ‘get the job done’) and a strong ‘team mentality’ (a willingness and ability to provide help, share ideas, acknowledge and support contributions of others and putting personal agendas aside).  It is a true test of character that will provide incredible insight, empowerment and personal growth opportunities at a pivotal time in adolescence.

There is no set progression through our program to getting a Bay Trip invitation. It can take anywhere from 1 to 7 summers to earn an invitation to The Bay Trip.   Generally, invites are extended to participants ages 16 and up.

Leadership Trip – by invitation, or open enrolment (with equivalent experience), (32 days)
The Leadership Program was designed to ensure the high quality and standards of our wilderness programs in the future—both within our organization and throughout the field of adventure-based education. This course combines Northwaters’ emphasis on group work and personal growth with the fundamentals of leading a whitewater canoe trip.

Working in a supportive and encouraging environment with our most experienced guides, participants have the opportunity to experiment with their own leadership styles, share their knowledge and learn new skills related to leading wilderness expeditions.

Course topics include:

• advanced map & compass
• environmental ethics
• advanced whitewater paddling
• whitewater rescue
• teaching techniques
• group development
• conflict resolution

Each year this trip is run on an advanced northern river and is open only to those who have completed our James Bay Trip or have equivalent whitewater/backcountry experience.

Typical Leadership trip routes include (but are not limited to):

• Moisie River
• North Knife River
• Seal River
• Great Whale River
• Coates River
• Rupert River
• Winisk River
• Hayes River
• Albany River