French River / Sudbury 2011

Day One

We arrived at Frontenac School at 5:30 and left about a half hour later. 3 or 4 hours later we stopped at a gas station next to a Tim Horton’s and a dairy queen. An hour later we were at Grundy lake Provincial Park. It was around midnight when we got there and the mosquitoes were out in full force. Needless to say we all unpacked quickly and jumped into our tents for the night. Several leaders had arrived earlier that day and set up the tents and most of the camp for just this purpose.

Day Two

This morning we ate quickly and got the rest of camp set up. Things like the kitchen however had to be set up first. After lunch we went jumping off cliffs into the lake. Then we took a walk down to the beach and played king of the hill on top of some wooden platform that someone had anchored offshore. When we got we started cooking dinner. That night it consisted of steaks and veggies all cooked in a Dutch oven. Before bed we cooked a ton of marshmallows over the fire for dessert.

Day Three

Today we started to pack starting with the tents. We then had breakfast and got on the road. We arrived at the launch point and after packing the canoes and picking canoe partners we were on the water paddling. Later we came to recollet falls named after the recollet priests who died there and we wisely decided to portage around them. Even later we arrived at the rapids that we were going to portage around but instead went straight through. After hours of paddling we stopped at our site.

Day Four

Today we were packed up and on the water fast. We made good time and when we reached the spot were the wind was with us we tied the boats together and tied tarps onto our paddles and sailed 5km! When the wind died down we put our paddles in the water and paddled for one last kilometre and reached the landing point and drove to camp Wilabosca were we had steak for dinner and then went to bed.

Day Five

Today we got up early and packed a lunch then got on the road. Soon we arrived at dynamic earth and had a tour of the mine below. Then we ate our lunches and headed for science north were we saw an Imax film called Born to be wild. Later Kevin and I built a domino track that covered an entire table. After an amazing day in Sudbury we returned to camp Wilabosca and prepared to leave tomorrow.

Day Six

Today is the day we leave for Burlington. We packed up cleaned up and took off. We stopped at the visitors centre for a quick lunch. After four hours of driving we arrived in Burlington were our journey first started. Then we all went home to a hot shower a decent meal and a good nights rest and all of summer to look forward to.

by Matthew D, 27th Orchard