If you enjoy being in the outdoors; cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, camping and improving your paddling strokes, then join us at Frontenac Provincial Park. The Wilderness Skills Program teaches outdoors enthusiasts through hands on experience valuable outdoor skills. The program has something for everyone; the beginners, the experts, and families. So plan on visiting us and make the most of your outdoor adventures.
To register for any of the programs described below please call (613) 376-3489.
Participants are requested to meet at the park Office twenty minutes prior to the scheduled start times of the presentation. The Presentation Fee is payable to the PRESENTOR and the Provincial Park Daily Vehicle or Camping Permits can be purchased at the Park Office or the Self-Serve Kiosk. When calling to register for any of the Programs, be sure to ask about personal equipment rentals.
[ January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December ]
Accurate pre-trip planning can minimize many of the discomforts associated with extended forms of backcountry travel during the winter. This presentation provides the novice and the experienced tripper with the opportunity to share ideas and concerns about low-impact winter camping and trip planning. Topics include; route selection and assessment, equipment construction and appropriateness, menu planning, physical fitness and conditioning, safety, and the different forms of winter travel. A portion of this presentation will be held out-of-doors, so please come dressed for the weather conditions and the trails. This is a prerequisite for those who wish to attend the Winter Camping Instructional Weekends. Register early - space is limited for this session. Please call (613) 376-3489.
Cost: Daily vehicle permit. Time: 10h00 to 15h30 Maximum 35 persons.
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NOTE: Attending the Winter Camping Trip Planning session on January 16th is a prerequisite. Weather permitting, these two separate weekends are designed to introduce participants to snow houses, tents and general winter camping skills. Learn how to prepare meals and stay warm. An equipment checklist will be provided. Food is included in the course fee. Register early - space is limited for these sessions. Please call (613) 376-3489.
Cost: $60.00 per person plus interior camping fee. Time: 10h00 Saturday to 15h30 Sunday. Maximum 12 persons per weekend. Register early!
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Learn about the different styles of snowshoes, harnesses and snowshoeing techniques. Later go on a short snowshoe hike on nearby trails, led by Ed Grenda. Be prepared to go outside. Bring your lunch a warm drink and snowshoes. A limited number of snowshoes are available for loan, so please specify if you require a pair.
Cost: Park Daily vehicle permit. Time: 10h30 to 15h00.
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Join our history enthusiast, Jerome McDuff for a leisurely, interpretive walk along Big Salmon Lake Road to learn about the early homesteaders in the Park. Bring your lunch, water and comfortable walking shoes. Register with the Park Office. Plan to go rain or shine.
Cost: Park Daily vehicle permit. Time: 10h30 to 16h00.
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This course takes you beyond standard first aid. You will be taught how to manage an emergency situation when help is more than a phone call away. Course includes patient assessment, trauma management, moving techniques, dehydration, managing and preventing heat and cold emergencies and coping in the wilderness. Dr. Frank Hubble of the North American Rescue Institute designed this course.
Cost: Course and certification $170.00 (G.S.T. included) per person plus park fee. Time: 08h30 to 16h30 each day (two day course).
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All ORCKA, Flatwater, Lakewater 2 and Tripping 2 instructors must recertify every three years to be able to instruct. This clinic will allow instructors to recertify, network with other instructors and practice their skills. Part of the day will be in classroom and part on the water. Instructor: Barry Irish 613-389-6334; 613-539-4864 or email irib@kingston.net.
Cost: $50.00 (includes lunch) per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 17h00
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This course introduces the joys of canoeing to those with no or little experience and may be of interest to outdoor educators, trippers, teachers, parents or those just interested in improving their skills. This course is a prerequisite for all subsequent canoe ( ORCKA ) certification courses. This course focuses on skills, skills improvement, safe canoeing practices, rescues, equipment, environmental practices and fun. Successful participants will receive an ORCKA badge and card. Meet at the Park Office with canoe, PFD, paddle, whistle, bailer, and floating throw rope (or safety kit).
Cost: $150.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h30 both days.
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Our wilderness navigation workshops provide participants with the theoretical and practical skills of reading and interpreting topographic maps in order to safely plot a course through the wilderness. Book your spot early! (It is recommended to have this for the GPS course on Sept 25)
Cost: $20.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h00
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This is an opportunity for canoeists to learn or refresh their canoeing skills, such as paddling and steering strokes, entering and exiting a canoe, and safety maneuvers. This course will also discuss equipment selection and backcountry trip planning. Equipment is not provided, but rentals are available nearby.
Cost: $10.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 10h00 to 15h30
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You’re invited to discover the wonderful world of kayaking with this ½ day ‘getting started’ course. The focus is on basic paddling techniques, kayak design and safety. A tranquil paddle on South Otter Lake at Frontenac Provincial Park will quickly prove kayaking is a sport anyone can enjoy. All that is required is an attitude for fun. Register online at www.frontenac-outfitters.com or by calling 613-376-6220.
Cost: $70.00 +tax per person plus park fee. Kayak and paddling gear included. Time: 13h00 to 16h00
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Want a new past time or to become a better angler? Join Rick and Sally’s excellent fishing presentation about obtaining the proper equipment, locating fish, filleting, equipment maintenance and the latest in casting and retrieving techniques. After the classroom portion, you may practice your new skills on South Otter Lake. Some equipment will be available to use, or bring your own. Bring your lunch, bug repellant and sunscreen. This is the Ontario Family Fishing Week where Ontario residents may fish with no licence! Register early!
Cost: $10.00 per person or $15.00 per family (plus park entry fee). Time: 10h00 to 16h00.
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A comprehensive full day on, in and under the water, teaching you the fundamentals of Sea Kayaking theories, strokes, rescues and recovery skills. Highly recommended. Past participants often repeat this confidence-building course year after year to further develop and refine their kayaking skills. Register on-line at www.frontenac-outfitters.com or by calling 613-376-6220. Course to take place at Frontenac Provincial Park on South Otter Lake.
Cost: $170+tax per person plus Park fee. Kayak and paddling gear included. Time: 08h30 to 16h00.
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The Frontenac Challenge is the Friends’ most popular event and a great way to get to know the park. Participants must hike all 160 kilometers of the park’s trail system between September 1st and October 31st. If successful, participants will receive a certificate and be acknowledged on plaque in the Park Office. In order to “take the Challenge”, you must register at the Park Office and then set out to hike Frontenac through the autumn splendour. This year’s Challenge celebration and BBQ will be held on Sunday, November 7th at 10h30.
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Our wilderness navigation workshops provide participants with the theoretical and practical skills of reading and interpreting topographic maps in order to safely plot a course through the wilderness. Book your spot early! (It is recommended to have this for the GPS course on Sept 25)
Cost: $20.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h:00
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The course objective is to gain, through theoretical and practical application, a competent working knowledge of maps, compass and GPS technology. Emphasis will be on UTM map reading, GPS waypoint plotting and route formation. GPS interfacing software will also be explored. A good knowledge of maps and compasses is recommended. A GPS unit is provided for loan.
Cost: $65.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h00.
Other activities such as Monthly Nature Walks, Lecture, volunteer opportunities, etc... are listed in the Friends' Activities page.
Comments to the Friends of Frontenac Park.
Report errors to: Jérôme McDuff
Revised: January 29, 2010