Paddler's Guide to Happy Camping

Canoe Route Clean-Up

• Posted on April 3, 2008 at 10:02 PM
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We all do it. We sit around and complain about canoe route maintenance, ramble on and on about how the government should be doing more, grow more and more paranoid over the protection of “lost” routes, question the mentality of those who leave all that garbage and toilet-paper mounds at the campsite, or scratch our heads over why anyone would leave just one sock at the end of the a portage (I’m still trying to figure that one out). Deep down in our souls we all want to rush out and do something about it; pick up some trash or re-discover a “lost” route. Then something we all suffer from inevitably gets in the way; it’s a curse that’s inundating us more and more every day – our hectic lifestyle. It’s overwhelming at times. Your job, household chores, family functions…quickly take precedence over maintaining a canoe route.

However, what we all need to keep in mind is that doing group maintenance on a local canoe route is a lot of fun. Not only do you create a perfect excuse to go out paddling, you also spend quality time with people who have a similar interest – a love of the outdoors.

Truly, the only thing that’s really standing in our way is inspiration. I received mine a couple of seasons ago when I witnessed avid paddler, Nancy Maddock, organize a canoe route clean-up project for Algonquin Park. It was a huge success. Paddlers from all over the province showed up to volunteer their time and energy to maintain the designated portages and campsites in the park.

So there you have it. There’s the inspiration you need. If Nancy can do it, then so can you. Last year Nancy expanded her project across North America and this year it’s a worldwide project. So, in May of 2008 she’s asking you to join in the fun!

The event will take place on the weekend of May 10 & 11, 2008 (Mother's Day weekend), hopefully between ice break-up and bugs. Arrangements have been made to hold a celebration after the event on-line, with prizes for such things as the biggest group, the most garbage, the longest portage cleared, etc...

Web sites www.myccr.com and www.outdooradventurecanada.com are assisting with the web hook-up, with Laurie March a.k.a. from www.outdooradventurecanada.com generously offering her talents as a web designer to donate a web site for this clean-up. The project’s web site is http://www.wildernesscleanup.com/ Major sponsors (Eureka, Explore Magazine, MEC, Nova Craft…) are involved, not only with prizes but with forming their own clean-up crews as well.

Here is a run down on how we’re going to keep it organized.

1. Volunteers across the world will form their own groups, with a leader for each group, and choose their own areas to do a clean-up. The bigger, the better. Remember, there will be a prize for the biggest group.
2. Each group will choose a name for themselves (maybe get yourselves T-shirts or something).
3. If any leader/group chooses a park where permits, fees and reservations are required, the leader of each group will be responsible for making arrangements (maybe try for waived fees as I had for Algonquin?). We can help with info on who are the Superintendents of each park on the web site Laurie will be designing. Keep in mind, also, that you can help out in other areas of Ontario outside the parks.
4. If any groups choose to head out earlier than Saturday or come back later than the finish time on Sunday (not determined yet), then each group will be responsible for making those arrangements.
5. Nancy and I are planning on doing a little of our own paddling for the event; our current intended area is somewhere in the Kawarthas.
6. Remember, temperatures at that time of year can still be fairly chilly at times, and the water temperature is a risk for quick hypothermia if you tip over in your canoe. All volunteers will be taking part at their own risk. Always wear your life jacket and be ever so careful!!!! Please remember that these are some of the initial and basic plans; there's still much to plan and work out. Start getting your groups together! I hope you can all join in!!!!