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 PRESENTER and the Provincial Park Daily Vehicle or Camping Permits can be purchased at the Park Office or the Self-Serve Kiosk.
Note: Other activities such as Lecture, volunteer opportunities, etc... are listed in the Friends' Activities page.
[ January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | All Year ]
Accurate pre-trip planning can minimize many of the discomforts associated with extended forms of backcountry travel during the winter. Topics include: route selection and assessment, safe forms of winter travel, shelters, clothing, equipment, menu planning, physical fitness and conditioning, and safety. Share ideas and concerns about low-impact winter camping and trip planning. 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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(See details below)
NOTE: Attending the Winter Camping Trip Planning session on January 14th is a prerequisite. Weather permitting, these two separate weekends are designed to introduce participants to snow houses, tents and to practice general winter camping skills. Learn how to stay warm and prepare meals. An equipment checklist will be provided. Food is included in the course fee. Please call (613) 376-3489.
Cost: $65.00 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. Indoor instruction is followed with a snowshoe hike in the afternoon led by Edward Grenda. Be prepared for a winter outing. 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 15h30.
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Join our history enthusiast, Jérôme 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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All ORCKA, Basic, Canadian Style Paddling and Tripping instructors must recertify every three years to keep current and 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. Everyone who attends will be certified in the new ORCKA canoeing program. All participants must register with ORCKA prior to the clinic. Instructor: Barry Irish 613-634-4177; cell 613-539-4864 or email birish@cogeco.ca.
Cost: $50.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 17h00
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Food in the wilderness does not have to be boring. Topics to include: food preparation, food storage, food safety, recipes, types of stoves, utensils and more. This clinic explores the ability to prepare good and interesting food. You do not have to use the prepackaged food from the outdoors stores. This is an opportunity to exchange recipes, techniques and ideas. You may bring some food, ideas and techniques of your own to share.
Cost: $25.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 10h00 to 13h00.
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Learn how to put up tarps easily. Topics include: types of tarps, ropes, different methods of putting up tarps, useful knots, and more. This is an opportunity to learn the many uses of tarps and to share your own ideas. No cost to attend the workshop.
Cost: Park Daily vehicle permit. Time: 13h00 to 15h00.
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For those who wish to venture to the backcountry to enjoy the outdoors, but who are unsure what to pack or buy, this is a workshop for you. Topics include: how to get started, clothing, footwear, equipment, food, water treatment and safety in the outdoors. This day-long introduction is meant to introduce the new backwoods camper to this form of recreation. No cost to attend the course.
Cost: Park Daily vehicle permit. Time: 09h00 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 $175.00 per person (H.S.T. included) plus Park daily vehicle fee. Time: 08h30 to 16h30 each day (two day course).
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This is an Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association certified course. This is an opportunity to learn how to canoe trip for beginners. Participants must be able to trip on their own after this course. The course may be of interest to education professionals or those looking to become professional guides. This course is a prerequisite for ORCKA’s Canoe Tripping 3 Course. This trip will add mileage and days if you are looking to work towards taking a Tripping 3 course. Topics to include all aspects of canoe tripping (camping) such as, equipment use and selection, safety, food handling, trip planning, various techniques and much more.
Cut off date is May 25.
For further information: Barry Irish 613-634-4177; cell 613-539-4864 or email birish@cogeco.ca.
Cost: $500.00, plus Park permits.
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This is an Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association certified course. The ORCKA Canoe Tripping 3 is the guide standard for Ontario and is recognized in many other provinces. This course will be of interest to educational professionals or those wishing to become professional guides. Topics to include: risk and crisis management, trip planning, equipment selection and camp sites, menu planning, food handling and preparation, leadership and much more. Of interest to Canoe Tripping 3’s starting in 2012, will be the ability to purchase liability insurance for themselves for the season at a cost of $50.00 plus membership in ORCKA. This is at an unbelievably low cost.
For further information: Barry Irish 613-634-4177; cell 613-539-4864 or email birish@cogeco.ca.
Cost: $500.00, plus Park permits.
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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. The course includes a basic introduction on how to use your GPS. Book your spot early!
Cost: $20.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h00
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This is an opportunity for canoeists of all abilities to learn or refresh their paddling skills, with an emphasis on steering strokes and safety maneuvers. Equipment selection and backcountry trip planning will also be discussed. The clinic will be held outdoors as much as possible, ending with a leisurely paddle to practice new skills. Equipment rentals are available nearby or enquire at the office.
Cost: $20.00 per person plus park fee. Time: 10h00 to 15h30
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This one day workshop is designed to give participants time to build on the knowledge acquired during the Level 1 course. You will use your new skills to navigate off trail the entire day, as a group and under the supervision of the instructor. Everyone will have a chance to get a lot of practice. Be prepared to spend most of the day outdoors, rain or shine, after a short review indoors. You will need a lunch, plenty of water and come dressed for the weather and bush travel, with a pair of long pants and a pair of sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Participation in Level 1 is recommended but not necessary, if you know how to use a map and compass, and just want more practice navigating off trail. Course includes a basic introduction on how to use your GPS.
Cost: $20.00 per person plus Park fee. Time: 09h00 to 16h00
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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 by calling 613-376-6220 or online at www.frontenac-outfitters.com. Kayak and quality paddling gear included!.
Cost: $75.00 +tax per person plus park fee. Time: 13h00 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. Past participants often repeat this confidence-building course year after year to further develop and refine their kayaking skills. Register by calling 613-376-6220 or online at www.frontenac-outfitters.com. Course to take place at Frontenac Provincial Park on South Otter Lake.
Cost: $175.00 +tax per person plus Park fee. Sea kayak and quality 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 a 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 4th at 10h30.
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The Challenge: to camp at least one night in each of the months of the year in Frontenac Provincial Park. Register at the Park Office and retain your copy of the camping permits as proof of your stay during each of the 12 months. Once done, submit your record sheet with the copies of your permits and you will be acknowledged at the next Challenge BBQ with a certificate and your name on the Camping Challenge plaque!
Cost: Park camping fee.
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Other activities such as 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 24, 2012