March, 2009

By Jodi Browning, NWL Staff

I’m coming to the end of the portage trail. I’ve been catching glimpses of the lake for about 200 meters—it appears as a glimmer through the trees. It’s a brief, unattainable vision. In my exhaustion, I am considering plowing through the trees ‘off trail’ to access the water, but I still hear the falls and rapids and know that it’s too soon. The ground is slippery from yesterday’s downpour and the woods are thick with deadfall. I’m better off on the trail. Moving forward for what seems like ages, I am mesmerized as I watch my feet and my shadow against the ferns. The branches and leaves reach out to me. I glance up from under the tip of my canoe. I can see a distinct opening—the edge of the trees, open water! At last the falls are behind me.

I pound through the last stretch of the trail. With the end in sight, my body is rebelling in anticipation. It wants this portage to be over now, not in 50 meters. I keep pushing forward. As trip leader, I started out on the portage first, but I’m only about two minutes ahead of the participant behind me; the rest of the group is close behind him. He had caught up with me on a break about 15 minutes earlier. We chatted briefly (and breathlessly) about negotiating the stretch of knee-deep mud and a downed pine tree. “Did you go over or under it?” I’d asked. “The mud or the tree?” he smiled. We laughed about the mosquitoes on our forearms—the ones we couldn’t swat away for fear of displacing the precarious balance of our bow-heavy canoes. I told him about tripping on a tree root (which turned out to be my right foot) and about surprising a ruffed grouse just before the stretch of mud (I thought the loud beating was my own heart until it flew up into a hemlock). I left him resting on a rock drinking water, the bow of his canoe perched securely in the crook of an ancient cedar. “Almost there!” I called behind me as I continued on my way. I’m not sure I believed it either.

There is a steep slope as the trail empties into the lake. One final hurdle before the end. I start my decent. My legs are starting to feel like jelly, my shoulders not approving of the weight adjustment. “Almost there,” I think. This time, believing it.

Finally, I’m at the water’s edge. My instinct is to throw the canoe off my shoulders and let it drop to the ground. I want to escape from it and be free. I want to collapse into the lake, letting the water wash over me. I want to float away with the lightness of my body and this thought.

Instead, I gather the last bit of strength I can summon. I walk into the shallow water, heave the canoe up and roll it to the left, turning my body and letting it land gently on my thighs. With a final sigh and release, I lower it smoothly into the calm water. I stand up straight and look around. The lake is pristine. A merganser with a long tail of chicks glides casually by—my presence not disturbing her. A white-throated sparrow sings its familiar song. A cool breeze rises from the lake, gently brushing the sweat from my forehead.

I’m here, and realize I’ve been here all along—absorbed in the mud, awakened by the grouse, accompanied by the ferns, made conscious by the falls, and supported by this group of young people. I no longer want to float away, I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.

“Almost there!” A familiar voice calls from behind me at the top of the slope. I smile and help him down with his canoe. “You are here,” I reply. He looks out at the lake. The merganser has circled back and the breeze rises gently again.

A Northern Lights Journal

Day 1: The first day was cloudy. We crossed the lakes pretty quickly because we had a tail wind. Since it was raining, we brought a stove for our trip. Tonight is rice and vegetable curry. Sweet! I think that some girls including me are feeling a little homesick, which I remember quite vividly. Now we are sitting around a circle or really in a circle and reading. When we got to the campsite we found this bench sort of thingy-majig made out of logs. We had a few laughs taking pictures of us all sitting on the log. Tomorrow it seems that it may be our first portage woot woot! There was some blue sky earlier but it looks like it’s all covered. Please let it be blue tomorrow!!!

-Morgana

Day 2: Today started out bright until about mid-morning when it clouded over. There were thunder booms all day. We paddled all past many camps. When we got to the portage we did a little dance and sang a little song. Then off we went woo hooo!!! Our first portage 795 meters and all. We carried our canoes and wannigans with confidence and strength. Though some may say or are saying that they can no longer portage anything, they will have to do it whether they like it or not because you may never like or love portaging but you will learn to accept them and look upon them as a break for the steady swing of the paddle.

-Morgana

Day 3: Today we were amazingly happy to leave our campsite because it had been a very buggy night. After only 20 minutes of canoeing we reached our first portage. It was one of our long ones and we devised a new plan that someone wouldn’t have to carry a wannigan one of our long trail. We made it through our first portage of the day then had a scrumptious lunch followed by brownies. We then canoed a short while over to our next portage which was a little more than half of our first one. After crossing over we found a very small cozy camping spot.

-Victoria

Day 4: OMG! Today was soo hard!! We had one of our longest portages. Also Emily left. She felt sick and left with Greer. So we had one less wannigan and one less canoe. Although we miss her…we know she’s better off at base camp getting better. The portage was 1400 yards long, and had an unexpected swamp somewhere in the middle. It was a nice relaxing point. But I think it was a little bit annoying. The teary faces and sweat streamed foreheads pushed through the long, rocky, hard portage. Tory (Victoria) didn’t even act like she was carrying anything! Her support and all the support of each other got us through. I love my trip members.

-Danie

1400 Meters

Through the sweat and blood we walked

This portage we did rock.

All together we did stick,

And that portages butt we kicked.

-Morgana

Day 5: Last night we had a huge rain storm. We ate really quickly and ran into our tent. Today we crossed five beaver dams. It was really funny because they were all in a row. Today we reached our destination. Eagle Lake!! Emily’s spirit was here with us. Everyone is das and excited to have reached our destination. Eagle Lake is beautiful with tall green pine trees and a blue rippling lake. Our campsite is on the top of a steep gravelly hill. We made our tent perfect. We ate lunch on a big rock near our campsite. But then the Kewaden boys came and stole that campsite. The portages we did today were very short, 70 meters and 360 meters (easy). The 70 was just up a hill and then down a hill. Hurray Ladies of Eagle Lake!!

-Genevieve

Day 6: Today we woke up later than usual because instead of having a rest day, like people sometimes do on trips, we set up camp early and had a rest afternoon yesterday and woke up late today. We played a game and had a nice breakfast in celebration of finally being at Eagle Lake, and took our time. Then we paddled out to a portage trail and did our longest portage yet and the longest one we will do this trip, which was 1660 yards long. That’s 4980 feet!! We stopped in the middle, where there was a small pond. There we had a snack of power bars and butterscotch candies. Then we did the last 800 yards.

It was hard, but nobody cried and nobody is sad to have completed it (that I know of). Then we had our bannock for lunch and had a nice afternoon, where many of us read or wrote in journals. We were camped on a nice campsite with a rocky landing. The rock was very, very, very big and it was nice to lie down on. And also, it was our first day with no rain at all, not even a drizzle. There was blue sky and perfect weather (finally). It’s soo relieving to know we have completed our longest portage!

-Dana

Day 7: Well this morning started off annoying because it was our first morning waking up to sunshine. After setting off in our canoes we shortly reached our first portage of only 50 meters then went on to a 200. After a power bar snack we left to start the 1400. We all felt that this was very hard because we didn’t break in the middle but went straight through. With the sun staying on our backs our wet clothing dried and our attitude was happiness. When we reached the other side it was very very choppy and there was a strong wind blowing over the lake. We stopped for a quick lunch of bannock and as soon as we set off again rain clouds appeared. Luckily it didn’t rain until just before =dinner which unfortunately meant wet dinner.

-Tori

Day 8: We`re back home to Temagami after our portage from Aston Lake. It was quite windy today. But we managed. The portage was only an 800 or so (actually 1100…sorry girls), and we all made it without taking our heavy loads off J. Then into the windy waters of Temagami. We attempted to eat our lunch, but got caught by rain. The weather had been so weird. We found a place sort of like the eye of the storm. Our delicious soggy bannock break was great. Hahaha. Well now we are in the boy’s base camp, Lanskib, after eating a delicious Mexican meal on “the Point“. The view was amazing! We watched the sun be eaten by the mountains, and the clouds change from gray to purple and link. It made for a wonderful picture. I`m also excited for the trip to end. I think we all are, but also quite sad to be parting these laughs, memories, friendships, and smelly armpits. J Good night yàll.

-Danie

Day 9: We did our last portage today. No wait…we`re done! We left from Lanskib in the morning full of energy and excitement for the day. After a short paddle across a bay we saw the campsite of one of the Excaliber boys. We stopped to talk to them and they fed us yellow cake mix from a pot. Mmmmmm… Victoria managed to finish it all. We kept on paddling. When we stopped for lunch we saw the other Excalibur group on their way to find the others. We kept on paddling. A strong head wind blew up against us but we kept strong. Dark thunderclouds rolled in from far away and covered the sky like a blanket. Large rain drops pelted down from the sky, soaking us. We saw a rainbow moving across the lake. After a short storm we kept on paddling. The wind was blowing the clouds away. We turned our backs. Moments later the clouds rolled in again to rain harder and louder. We padded the Canadian Adventure Camp (CAC) and kept paddling. Our arms were sore from the heavy hard day. We kept going. The camp had sent out over night trips so most of the camp sites were all taken up. Estair knew of a `secret campsite’ so we made our way there. We set up camp and ate dinner. Mac and cheese…more cheese than Mac. We crawled to the tent and had our last just us circle. We told each other one by one of what we thought each others gold was. Estair and Lhotse gave us chocolate chips which was, I think, a bit of a mistake. Danie was bouncing off the tent walls. We planned our entrance into camp which involved us portaging instead of paddling into camp.

-Morgana

Langskib Coulonge River – Day 9

We woke up and paddled a few clicks or so to eat breakfast. While eating we saw a muskrat and an osprey. We paddled through a shallow creek, did a little portage and a lift over. While paddling through the creek we say a big momma moose and it’s son or daughter (no one was sure). After the creek we applied some man juice—we paddled, did a portage and afterwards had some good old beans and bannock. We then paddled with a very relaxing tail wind and sailed about five kilometers. We did a portage, then another, then we carried over into the Coulonge River, yeah buddy! We paddled about a kilometer and arrived at camp. We are now reading Endurance. Most are anticipating the adventure the river will bring and some just want to go to sleep. Personally, I am feeling both. I hope all goes well on the river.

- Dylan, age 15

Northwaters Makobe River (all girls) – Day 15

We busted through 3 ‘tages today with no problems. By the way Carster and Liv made yummy muffins for breakfast. The sun shined all day today. We saw lots of other people, but we were the most hard core. Everyone got really cracked out (even without juice crystals). It was hilarious! The stars are out tonight and the moon is glowing golden. We had chocolate cake for dessert and then Ashley, Jen, Fern, and Izzy played the laughing game. Now we’re all lying in our sleeping bags and everyone has very itchy legs. Itchy….scratch….scratch. I’m so tired. Oh now Ashley is reading her funny quotes again. This feels like it has gone on forever, but not a bad forever. I mean it feels normal. I can’t believe we’ve been out here this long, but even more unbelievable, I think is the fact that we’ll be back at basecamp in a few days. I’m too tired and Ashley is too amusing!

- Choloe, age 15

Langskib Bay Trip – Day 12

Today we left the river. After many rapids and swifts we reached the point where we now sit; a small camp surrounded by the Harricana, swelled by high tide. As we paddled today with a glorious tail wind under a ferocious sun, the bay taunted us with scents of ocean. We saw a black bear cross a shallow part of the river in front of us. I know I’ll remember it’s loping stride for a long time. Just seeing its power and determination was amazing. We also spotted several eagles—very reminiscent of Native American paintings. The bay awaits. With tobacco we gave an offering of thanks to the river for our safe passage. I asked for a safe bay crossing. Something this powerful should not be provoked.

- Alex, age 17

Northwaters Coulonge River – Collective Thoughts

Within a canoe trip there is a lot of learning that runs deeper than the techniques and routines we set for ourselves. The deeper learnings are focused inwards and help us fuel our souls and understand ourselves better. The rewards of such learnings are great- if we have the courage to accept them into our lives. We learned the importance of being ourselves as well as being true to ourselves and to each other. We learned about the value of rigor and risk. We learned how to open our minds, to voice our weaknesses, and to allow others to help us. We learned that we don’t have to be perfect, but always to strive for excellence. We learned to appreciate the small things and beauties. We learned how to celebrate life through laughter and struggle and pain.

- Oriane, Tanguy, Annie, Remi, Andrew, Julia, Laurence, Graham, ages 15 to 17

Langskib Lost Lakes – Day 16

Today we woke up on Obabika Lake. We had a really good baked breakfast before hiking up to Conjuring Rock (Bob Lake). Up on the higher trail, we stopped and did a medicine wheel circle. I felt really really empowered, glad and many other things I have a hard time expressing—by the way, every single guy opened up and spoke from his heart to everyone; without hesitation what so ever. Later that day at lunch, Jake caught a small mouth bass. She was pregnant so we let her go. We did a portage today that was so flat and smooth you could almost run with a wannagan all day—it went from Obabika Lake to Obabika Inlet. The sunset tonight was spectacular. We had an amazing dinner tonight; extra-cheesy tuna glop, tomato and penne soup and date bars. I am now very full and very content.

- Stuart, age 14

Northwaters Dumoine River Trip, Collective thoughts

We began, paddling, portaging our way to the Dumoine River. To begin a journey within ourselves, with each other. Why are we here? What does it mean to begin…

Everyday when I wake up I begin again. Whatever happened yesterday doesn’t matter, each new day is a fresh stars. So I begin each day by waking up and just trying to make each day complete. – Alex G.

I am here because I want to forget some things but also I want to get a lot of stuff clear in my head. I’m here to stay away from my usual life and try something totally different. – Bernardo

I begin at my first discovery. I don’t know what it was, but then I started making sense for myself and the first time I found I fitted a piece of the puzzle, the start of me is at the heart of my mind. – Alex P-L

For me there is no beginning, nor end, I am a working progress to nothing but happiness, but that isn’t the beginning or the end for me. It’s the journey that I’m on. I’m here because I made a decision. – Carly

I’m here to truly challenge myself. – Sarah

I begin in my head. I begin in the thoughts about the places and people I haven’t seen. There is so much more to learn and know and experience,

I’m here to sort things out in my own head and outside it. – Tzega

I think I begin in my fingertips. They are the ones who touch everything; they bring all my emotions into my body, making my decisions and teaching me all they can. I’m here to learn from the world, its people, and its creations. – Liana

I begin in my soul, because that’s the meaning of my whole existence.

- Bernardo

I begin outside the firelight. I begin behind the stars. I begin alone. I begin in a womb of water waiting for the tide, for a full moon to pull me to the land where I am wanted and needed. I begin where someone ends. I begin because I have to. I begin as a friend. – Claire

I am here because I remember how good it feels when I leave and the connections I make – Alex G.

I begin in a loving and caring family where I am supported in everything I do. They are the rock, my hard place, and the one true constant that I can always depend on. I come from a place of compassion and love; and with this I can do anything. I begin my relationships with trust and honesty. I want to connect with people and I want to get to know them on a deeper level. It is so important for me to do this. – Colby

I’m here because I love this, I begin at the beginning. Start where my body tells me. – Mollie

Northwaters Sturgeon River Trip, Collective thoughts

We grew, muscle-by-muscle, paddle stroke upon paddle stroke. We were women, no longer afraid of the river or the land.

I used to lack confidence. – Judith

I used to be afraid. – Lily

I used to be uncomfortable. – Claire

I used to be uncomfortable with myself. – Isabel

I used to be timid and shy. – Mandy

I used to be mean to other people. – Natalie

I used to lie. – Emily

I used to believe in everything. – Sam

We made promises, to face the obstacles in our paths: friends and family, fears real and imagined; those things that keep us from being the best of who we are. We promised to let go of the past, to commit to the future. We promised to meet our goals, be ourselves. We promised, I promise…

To live everyday to the fullest. – Sam

To try my best. – Isabel

To give and give and give. – Claire

To have a fun time. – Natalie

To be true to my friends. – Judith

To keep going. – Mandy

To live forever as much as I can. – Lily

To be good to myself. – Emily

A Northern Lights Journal

Community Values:

In our community we want for each other to be nice and helpful; happy, excited and not always depressed; supportive and optimistic; fun, honest, authentic, inclusive. We want for there to be no cliques, no gossip, to be fair, to use careful language , to be enthusiastic and to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Day one:

As eight strangers we came together for the first time today. It felt great finally learning of the people we would be spending the next ten days together and really beginning our journey. All our bags were packed and our gear was all ready to begin our trip. We were all pretty nervous, excited and a little unsure of what the future held for our group. We sat in the tepee for the first time and spoke of how we wanted our community to evolve and operate. I looked around at the seven faces around the circle and couldn’t wait to get to know each of them better. We finally hit the water for the first time and paddled away from the dock. It’s a crazy feeling to paddle away from the known into the wilderness, both excitement and apprehension filled my stomach with butterflies as we lost sight of base camp.

After a short paddle we hopped out of our canoes and collected firewood for the first time. We learned the types of wood that would burn well. Ewww poplar yummm cedar…..we camped for the first time on Long Island and got some of our new routines down. Foot washing, tent set up and tuna glop….We began reading the Golden Compass then had our first night sleeping on the hard ground of Temagami. We all slept so well.

Day two:

Our first morning on trail brought many new routines to be learned. The first was that we woke up to put on our wet clothes from the day before. As soon as we were up and dressed, we needed to pack up all our gear into our wet bags and take down our tent. We learned quickly that there isn’t time to sleep in the wilderness – we rely on the daylight so we had to get travelling early. We had our first breakfast on trail – oatmeal with lots of yumminess in it. After breakfast we washed the dishes and packed our wannigans into canoes and hit the water. We began working on our paddling muscles as we headed North from our campsite toward Sharp Rock Inlet. We got to a place called the Lower Narrows where cliffs rise out of the deep water of lake Temagami. We found a trail up to the top of a cliff and took turns trusting the word and example of our leaders and jumping off, into the air for a second and then into the cold water of the Narrows. Every girl on the trip jumped off and everyone was really supportive of each other taking the leap off that ten meter cliff. After we jumped and swam for a while, we continued paddling through and narrow and shallow section that opened up into Sharp Rock Inlet. In the distance we could see the tepee of the boys’ camp, Langskib. We headed for that island and made camp there. We spent that evening curled up with the rocks and roots of Wind Shift Island.

Day three:

The sun rose on day three of our journey, and we woke up to a cloudy windy day. We ate a yummy breakfast of couscous and raisins. After we had broken down camp we paddled to the front dock of Langskib and got blasted by huge waves and a headwind as we turned the corner. We were surprised to find people on Langskib as we were not expecting anyone to be there. We all felt so welcomed onto the island and received a wonderful tour from Howey. After the tour Lynn, the cook gave us apples and cookies to eat on the cliff of looking out over the beautiful lake. We needed to hop back in our canoes though and keep paddling on our voyage. Before long we had arrived at our first portage and were ready to face the challenge. We unloaded our canoes and brought our first heavy loads across the trial. It wasn’t too long of a portage but was a bit hard due to the rockiness. After the portage we arrived at Diamond Lake and paddled hard into the headwind. We all felt a bit tired out but managed to get into camp before sunset. We also went down a place called the shoots were Diamond Lake ends and Lady Evelyn Lake begins. It was like a little mini waterfall and it was super fun. We camped right after the shoots were we could still hear the rushing water as we fell asleep.

Day four:

We woke up at the bottom of Lady Evelyn Lake and paddled fifteen kilometres to the North most point in on day. The lake opened up and became a huge body of water for up to traverse, paddling hard, North, North, North. We entertained each other with funny stories and songs all the way up the lake. A light South wing was at our back, blowing up in the direction of our travels but also blowing in some wet and wild weather. All the way at the North end of the Lady Evelyn Lake, we found a beautiful campsite and made ourselves a big pot of veggie chilli and more cornbread than we could finish. After dinner was cleaned up, we sat together in a circle and each one of us shared a bit about our experience of being female, what about that makes us proud and what about it brings challenges. In the middle of our circle we had to move into the big tent because the rain hit us. After the circle, we stayed in the tent and read The Golden Compass and had hand massages from Lucy. After the leaders left the tent, the thunder storm hit and it poured until we were all asleep.

Day five:

We rose to the sun which was a bit higher in the sky then usual as we had a bit of a sleep in. We broke down camp and ate red river with apples and lots and lots and lots of brown sugar. We got on the lake and started to go back south down Lady Evelyn Lake. As we paddled South down Lady Ev., the huge expanse of sky above us was splashed and blotched with heavy grey-blue clouds, and wind continued to drive at us out of the South. We paddled by small rocky islands which were governed by colonies of terns who took terns sitting proud on the jagged rocks and flying around the island in low circles, squawking as if to keep us off their dung-splattered crags. It is a distinct privilege to be able to witness this broad Northern sky, and to surrender to un-habituated birds. We finally got most of the way down the lake and then camped near Blueberry Island and had a blast all swimming in the afternoon sun. That night after we had all gotten into our tents an enormous storm hit us. Huge thunder and lightning for most of the night…wooo hooo. It was quite CRAZY.

Day six:

We began day six in the sun, after a long night of rain. We continued to the bottom of Lady Evelyn to the “Diamond Shoots“. Julie and Lucy hauled our canoes up the rushing shoot before we reloaded and headed South on Diamond. With the North wind at our back and the sun demanding that we smear ourselves with sunscreen, we were able to eat lunch while floating on the lake, drifting in the direction we were headed. Holding our canoes together in a raft, we ate bannock, read from our book and soaked up some sun. We stopped on the Western Shore to examine ancient petraglyphs on some protected white cliffs. The meaning of the symbols is a bit of a mystery to us recreational paddlers, but if we guessed we might decipher images of canoes filled with paddlers and great mythical birds and perhaps bears. We continued down Diamond and then began heading West, as the wind shifted and served us with a mighty headwind. We found ourselves and campsite on Diamond and collected our firewood. We took some solo time to think about events, people and situations that had helped shape us into the people we were. We spotted some red canoes with feathers on their bows and ran to tell the leaders. We all grouped together and all at once yelled `Langskib` into the wind and watched as the silhouetted canoes turned back toward us, screaming `Northwaters!` We hung out with a boys group for a little while and heard some of their stories and they heard ours and then we ate dinner as they continued on, looking for a campsite. We stayed up late having our circle about the three important things in our lives. We also had a group discussion about the rest of our trip, where we would travel to and what would be our priorities.

Day seven:

As we rose on day seven we noticed that the wind shifted yet again and began blowing East, exactly the way we were planning to paddle. So, yet again, we were forced to paddle straight into a headwind. We made our way East on Diamond and ferociously paddled towards the Diamond portage. When we arrived at the portage we decided to do it with style and strength. We struggled a fair amount but completed the portage in good time. Nicole and Tamara carried the canoes the whole way and did very well. All the wannigan carriers did an amazing job as well. As we loaded our canoes back into the familiar waters of Temagami the wind picked up very strong from the South. We paddled hard into the headwind for a couple of hours making little headway because the wind was so fierce. We finally found a campsite and made camp. Lucy made quesadillas and they were delish! We tucked into our tents to read and a huge storm blew in over us lulling us to sleep.

Day eight:

The wind was still ripping out of the South when we woke on day eight. This wind would be a cross wind for us as we headed East to travel through the Upper Narrows. The white-capped waves threatened to spill in over our starboard gunwales as we made our way. Once through the Narrows, we headed South, the lake widening as we traveled, and sky thick with low grey clouds. We paddled in a lessening head wind and heavy rain for long stretches, paddling hard to keep ourselves warm. We stopped to collect fire wood in a cedar grove when we spotted four red canoes heading South as well. As they approached, we saw that they were the Northern Lights KoKoKo section! They stopped on the shore where we were tied up and we had a chance to share stories and catch up. We started paddling as the rain began again, continuing South in thick fog. The wind began to shift and blow at us from the West, and as we neared the Northern Point of Granny Bay we felt the wind shift to a tail wind, shoving us into our campsite before lunch. The North wind is often a cleansing wind and it cleared the low clouds out of the sky. The sun came out and we had the afternoon to play at the campsite and make large girl piles in the tent. After dinner we were watching a beautiful sunset as a boys section in a voyager canoe paddled up to our campsite and we gave them our dinner leftovers and sent them on their way. After dinner we had a circle where we each had a chance to share something we had learned on the trip; a lesson we would take back home. A few girls talked about learning to be more appreciative of the things they take for granted in their lives at home.

Day nine:

It was difficult to believe when we woke up today that it was already day nine. The trip just flew by and it feels as though we just left the dock on day one. We began our paddle in the rain and it didn’t let up for a couple of hours. Coincidentally, the rain let up as we approached our last portage. We were all very up for the challenge and were eager to prove ourselves. We began and ended with style; many of us only putting our wannigans down once during the trail. Right in the middle of the portage there was a massive mud hole that was quite a challenge for us all but; together we got through it. We finished the portage and felt very accomplished. We paddled into camp and set up camp and moments later both tents were crushed by the wind. Lucy and Julies tent was broken and we had to reset up the six person. Julie and Lucy ended up having a slumber party in the six person and it was really nice all be together. We ate really cheesey mac and cheese and had cookie dough out of a big pot. Yum yum. It was pretty hard to fall asleep in that can of sardines but when we finally did it was a great sleep.

Day ten:

The wind was blowing out of the North for our final paddle into Base Camp. Once all our canoes were in the water and loaded, we circles for our last time on trail. We wanted to take the time to tell each other about the beauty we had also seen in them, so that if this community never was the same again, we would have no regrets about having not said the things we meant to say. We took turns sitting in the middle of the circle receiving the positive feedback that the rest of the group had to offer. Once on the water, we paddled hard to get in site of Base Camp. We paddled in in a line, to the cheering of the people on our home dock. Everyone bow hopped in style and the celebration of our journey began.

By: Petra Eperjesi, NWL Alumni & Staff

In the summer of 2002, along with 13 other young men and women from all over North and Central America, I paddled 550 kilometers from Amos, Quebec, down the mighty Harricana River and across the James Bay.

Together, we paddled through storms of bitter north winds howling in from the Arctic Ocean, and through days of cold and rain. I paddled through squalls of self-doubt and fear alone. At home I had been feeling unsure of who I was and where I was going. I felt like I was shackled to a thousand different pulley systems, all wrenching me in different directions. I had no idea what I wanted, where I wanted to go.

As we loaded our canoes the last morning on the river the drizzle became a downpour, and we headed, for the last time, to the Bay. The tide pulled me out into the Arctic Ocean and off the edge of the world. A weight was lifted. There, out on the ocean in my little canoe, I was free. I could see nothing but water and sky, I had nothing to landmark and no sense of direction but for the first time, I knew where I was going.

Looking back and remembering the cold and the rain are a distant—and therefore fond—memory. Some of the worry and doubt have been lifted, like a heavy load at the end of a rough portage. I’m not sure exactly what happened out there, but I do know that I am sure I belonged on that Bay Trip and I am sure of my steps as I walk through my life at school and at home, as a leader and as a part of my community—following my heart.

Here is a sampling of Alumni news between March 2008 and March 2009.

Stephen Kress Ashgrove, QLD: Moved to Australia (Brisbane). Trying to reach anyone who was at Langskib in 1974 or 75

Jason Farber Tenafly, NJ: 3 Children; 15, 4 and 2. Bought a new house in Tenafly, NJ in May of 2007. Just finishing up a MS in Accountancy & an MBA in management. Will be sitting for the CPA exam this summer. Hope all is well with everyone

Paul Park Brooklyn, NY: A poor cog in the wheel

Celine Lamb Oakland, CA: Masters in Mayan Archaeology at Universite Paris, playing volleyball for my school. Spending my summers excavating, wishing I had a bit more time to go back to NW!!

Nick Fournier Fair Oaks, CA: I was training for my first marathon when I broke my hip playing volleyball in 09/07. My hip is mostly healed and I hope to run a half marathon in 2009 and a marathon in 2010. I’ve gone back to school to major in dietetics/nutrition and would like to eventually work in sports nutrition.

Rick de Pena McAllen, TX: Registered Nurse, working at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA in the Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU. Traveling the world one trip at a time, hooked on traveling and adventure since my trip to Langskib when I was 11 yrs old (Viking group). I have done many trips since then and always acknowledge that what got me started or gave me the knowledge and attitude to do them was my first long adventure, Camp Langskib. I’ve ridden my Harley motorcycle to the Panama Canal in Central America. I’ve ridden it across the United States and back. I’ve ridden across Europe. I’ve been to Asia, and spent a month there, with a train ride from Singapore to Chiang Mai, Thailand, exploring and running trails throughout Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Any chance I get, I’m out exploring new places and seeking adventure. I love it.

John Wilkinson Rehoboth Beach, DE: Since I left camp, I graduated from high school, went to community college for two years and then finally found my calling as a bartender. I have been a bartender for ten years. I really enjoy what I do, meeting new people, hearing new stories, and sharing my sense of humor (some get it, some don’t, but most laugh along with me anyway). I’m engaged to Michelle and we live at the beach. We are in the process of buying a house. Pretty scare in this day and age. Life is fun and good. I still try and live my life by keeping the red side down. Never would have thought that statement would apply to so much in life but it really does. Unfortunately we lost a very important part of my family in Feb. I did get to see Dave and it felt good to see him.

Paul Park Brooklyn, NY: just another cog in the wheel. If anyone is ever in NYC drop me a line.

Colman Crowther Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Live at the Jersey shore and work in Manhattan. 2 kids Jack (3) and Olivia (6). Very active on the water. Love to fish, surf, and golf. Have a small center console and yes an Old Town Canoes. Remember all the good times. Hope to visit Temagami area in the future. Hope everyone is healthy. Maybe someday my kids can enjoy the wonderful experience of your camp.

Richard Miles Goodview, VA: Playing hockey!

Mark Last Haverford, PA: Living life as an experienced “survivalist” in the big city! I reside in Brooklyn, NY.

Erik Knudsen Wilmington, DE: Husband, father, friend, bungee trampoline tycoon

Devon Carson St. Charles, IL: I graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles in 2006 with a degree in Theatre. I’ve been acting and working various jobs in the entertainment industry, and just moved to Chicago in spring 08. I live with my boyfriend Adam who is a musician in the band Searching for Sunlight. Please contact me on myspace or by email–I would love to hear from you!

Sarah Brown Fort Smith, AR: I am in Drama and it is GREAT!!! I am riding motorcycles now and am getting better and better.

Bruce Blackstone Tucson, AZ: I have been on a path for the last few years of discovering my true gender and true sexuality and have come to identify as two-spirited. I belong to a tribe of people who engage in primitive rites as a means of transformation and self-knowledge. I regularly lead workshops. I speak at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Pima College. I also play in a transgender rock and roll band as well as a conventional rock and roll band. My experiences at NWL changed my life. I found my first experiences of profound surrender there, and began finding and illuminating my own darkness there.

Harry Wilmer Alexandria, VA: Working in the DC area and missing NWL

Jascha Kehr Mainz, Germany: Residency in Pediatrics at the University of Mainz, Germany

Bitsy Perlman Cos Cob, CT: After graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon School in 2002 and Carleton College in 2006 I moved to Washington DC to work for the Federal Reserve Board. I am currently working there as a research assistant and applying to econ PHD programs. Between work and taking classes I’m trying to connect with my feminist and nonviolent sensibilities. This project is, I think, a bit stalled out.

Guy Coby Quakertown, PA: My wife, two daughters and I live on a horse farm in Quakertown, PA. I have an orthodontic practice in Quakertown and teach part-time at the University of Pennsylvania. I haven’t put a canoe in to the water for a few years but a summer doesn’t go by that I don’t remember and appreciate my Northern experience. I would enjoy getting back in touch with David Knudsen.

Johannes Courtens Kinderhook, NY: I am graduating high school this year and I plan on going on to college next school year. I have also been in a high school based vocational school for becoming a private pilot for which I hope to then carry on to a possible carrier. Besides all that adult and societal stuff I have been quite content with my life recently. I have been thinking a lot about the Canadian North and Temagami which means only one thing, that I have to take a trip up there again, though it may not happen as soon as I would like it to.

Ian Mason Korea: is living in Korea and loves his job teaching kindergarten and elementary school students.

By: Justin Portugaise, Langskib Alumni

The most important thing that you take home with you from Langskib, the most important learning, is a certain ideal. It is the ideal that you must live your life on your terms, and that you can control who you are through the strength within you. The habits formed there, those of being self-sufficient, not having to depend on others, to take initiative, and to appreciate what you have, will not fundamentally change you as a person. You won’t come home and live your life the way you lived it there; you will, naturally, succumb to laziness and come to depend on the luxuries that surround you, you will begin to take for granted those things that seem most basic to you (such as a roof over your head, having food readily at hand at all times). You will revert, to a degree, back to your old ways, but you will also retain the ideals. You will remember how you can live; how good a person you are and how much you can influence and help those around you. You will remember that there is beauty in everything, be it rain and thunderstorms or sunshine, or being able to stay warm inside your house while cold and damp looms just outside. You will learn to appreciate the simple and small over the grand and complex; such a small thing as a burst of sunlight through clouds, dew on grass in a perfectly still, peaceful morning, the way colours spread like fire across the blue at sunset and the sky becomes the most dazzling canvas you’ve ever known, only to cede the heavens to the stars, who burn a million comforting fires to dot and warm the blackness of infinity. It is this that Langskib teaches you, and its students, blessed in their learnings, begin to realize that the simplest things can make all the difference the world will ever know.

By: Michael Woo, Excalibur participant 2006

I was excited about going to summer camp for the first time. I felt a little bit nervous, too, because I’d be away from home for two weeks and I didn’t know what to expect. I had a long list of items to bring with me. Into my large duffel bag I put a water bottle, iodine tablets, clothes, shoes, two flashlights, sunglasses, sunblock, a good book, a sleeping bag, and many other things.

At about 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, July 29th, I waited with my mom and dad at Lakeland Airways in Temagami. It was warm and sunny. Other kids from down south and the United States were there, too. We were waiting to get flown to Langskib Base Camp. The Beaver float plane made three trips. The first two trips carried campers. The third trip carried our luggage. I flew in on the first trip. I think I had the best view because I was allowed to sit beside the pilot. During the twenty minutes it took to make the flight I saw so much – islands, lakes, trees, boats traveling on the water, cottages and boathouses along the shoreline. I even saw a bear on an island. I saw how big Lake Temagami is and how busy it is in the summertime.

When we got off the plane at Langskib Island the staff welcomed us. The first thing we did was to begin to get to know each other. We got in a circle and played some name games. Then we brought our belongings to the cabins. We swam and fished at the dock before supper. Our first meal was home-cooked chicken and rice. It was delicious. After supper we fished and swam some more before we went to bed. It was a perfect evening in base camp.

Monday, July 30th, was another warm, sunny day. We got up at 7 a.m. After breakfast we were taught about canoes – how to pick up and carry a canoe, how to portage, and how to paddle using different paddle strokes. We were also taught how to handle the gear we’d be using on our ten-day canoe trip. We learned how to pack it in the wanigans. Then we were divided into canoe groups. We played a game called “Manhunt”. It was a mixture of hide-and-seek and tag. That game took us all over Langskib Island.

Mike Jarvis, our program director, told us the story of the sword, “Excalibur”. He compared the canoe trip we’d be taking to two kinds of journeys, an outer journey and an inner journey. He said that our outer journey would take us through lakes, cliff-jumping, camping and portaging. He explained that our inner journey would be about learning to get along with each other and helping each other with chores and hard jobs. Mike told us that learning to keep going when things get hard or uncomfortable is also part of the inner journey. He explained that kindness is part of strength and love is part of courage, and that every man needs to combine these four qualities.

My group was the youngest group. We were all ten and eleven years old. For our ten-day canoe trip my group had three leaders, seven boys and five canoes. On Tuesday, July 31st, we packed only what we really needed in the wanigans. Our first campsite was at the Lower Sharp Rock Inlet Narrows. Then we headed east from Lake Temagami and portaged into Ferguson Lake. My first portage was a disaster because I forgot to bring my insect repellant with me. For a while I felt very sad and homesick. But after this first portage I started to feel better because our leaders encouraged us. The encouragement that helped me the most was, “Never say I can’t, always say I can”.

Our second portage was from Ferguson Bay into Kokoko Lake. We made our campsite at a point on Kokoko Lake. Then we did some swimming, fishing, canoeing, and relaxed. We slept in a big ten-person tent each night. I started to really enjoy the canoe trip.

At our Kokoko Bay campsite we found our treasure hunt map and the clues that would help us during the next three days while we paddled all over to find our treasure. Our program director, Mike, met us at this campsite. We traded our small canoes for one large voyageur canoe. In it we traveled as a group to find our treasure.

On our treasure hunt we explored the south arm of Lake Temagami, passed Bear Island and Rabbit Nose Island to reach the north arm of the lake. We made our fourth campsite here on the shore and searched for more clues. The clues told us to go to Devil Mountain, Secret Lake, and then to Seal Rock. We made our fifth campsite at Seal Rock.

Next we headed to Hush Hush Lake in our voyageur canoe. We found more clues which told us our treasure might be at the Lower Narrows. When we reached the Lower Narrows campsite our clue told us to find our treasure only at midnight, the “Dead of Night”. Mike met us again at this campsite. As a treat to reward us for safe canoeing and doing a good job of meeting the challenges of the trail, he brought us more food.

At midnight we hunted for our treasure. We started out using a flaming torch but it fell off the stick into a creek so we had to use our individual headlights. We found our treasure in an ammo box – it was filled with a lot of really cool stuff for the group. We sorted through it and shared everything.

The day after our treasure hunt we headed back to Langskib Base Camp. We had a great meal of tacos. Then we shared our experiences on the canoe trip. By nighttime I felt really homesick for the second time because I started thinking about what I missed my mom and dad, the restaurant, and even the washroom at home. I overcame my homesickness again.

The morning of Friday, August 10th, we cleaned ourselves up at base camp and put on clean clothes. We had a gift exchange. I exchanged my camp knife that had a can opener and other tools on it for a white whittling crystal.

Friday afternoon we left Langskib Base Camp by barge. About halfway to Northwaters Base Camp we transferred to a voyageur canoe so that we could paddle to the Northwaters dock. When we arrived there we were given a hero’s welcome by the staff, our parents, friends, and all those noisy girls from the Northern Lights program. I was surprised to see my mom and dad. They came to the Northwaters Base Camp to meet me and stay for the barbecue party to celebrate the second-last day of camp. My mom and dad said that I looked a bit different. My skin was darker from the sunshine. I looked thinner, stronger, and very happy to them.

After the barbecue all of the campers were given a chance to tell stories about the funniest and most challenging parts of our canoe trip. To end the party we entertained everyone. We had taken a song by the Beatles, called “The Yellow Submarine” and changed it into a song we called “The Big Red Canoe”. After we sang that song, we performed a hip-hop dance that one of our campers, Max, had taught us. At the end of the celebration we were given two choices. We could stay overnight or go by boat to the Manitou Landing with our parents and go home. I chose to go home.

For me, the best part of the canoe trip was the treasure hunt. It was so much fun. The whole camp experience was great for me because I learned so many new things. I learned how to canoe, portage, pitch a tent, read a map, cook outdoors, and how to face my homesickness. I made lots of new friends. I learned a new custom, too. While we were on our ten-day canoe trip we met many different groups of canoeists, motor boats, and houseboats. I waved to everyone I saw because our leaders told us that waving is a custom on the water when you meet people.

I took a 27 -picture disposable camera to camp. Sixteen of the pictures turned out. They’re good souvenirs of my Langskib experience. My coup (pronounced ‘coo’) stick is a very special souvenir. I made my coup stick when we were on our canoe trail. We found sticks in the firewood pile. We carved them and added designs. Then we wrapped our coup sticks with red sashes. The red sashes remind us that we’re brothers of Langskib and we’ll always be bonded together. I’ll keep my coup stick always. It reminds me of my coups – what I learned to do as a Langskib camper, what I learned to overcome, and the friends I made.

We picked up our son in Ottawa yesterday all worried about how the weather had affected his stay at camp and the first words out of his mouth were “I wish I was staying longer”. On our 2 hour ride back home he did not stop talking and when we arrived I realized that he had not one complaint, not even about the weather! He loved his experience, the scenery, the activities, the staff, the quest and the food! He loved it all! He definitely wants to come back next summer. Your camp offered exactly what your literature stated and more!

Thank you and your colleagues for your wonderful work. I sent you a participant that was both apprehensive and eager in my daughter. You returned to me a strong happy and confident young woman who was experiencing the best qualities of self determination and confidence. She was better able to deal with all the dynamics of her stepfamily and sharing very uniquely with her father…She presented maturity that seemed new to me, I attribute it to her greater sense of self that you guided her to. Her stories were brimming with learning and lessons of life through adventure.

My sons have been coming up over the past 6 years and have loved their experiences. I am so overjoyed at the growth that they have experienced through their adventures with Langskib. I think you folks do an amazing job and it is clear that it is a passion for you.

My grandson recently attended Langskib for a three week wilderness and canoeing experience. As his grandmother, I was fortunate to be with his mum and sister at Northwaters to see him return from that trip and what a wonderful sight it was – one I shall never forget. Since returning home he has shared and shared his experiences with us. He loved not just every moment and all the adventures but the beauty of all he saw. He took about 200 photographs and we have looked again and again at each one. He spent days putting them in an album and we spent hours going through each one before writing a caption. His favorite photos are of beautiful sunsets upon calm waters – they are quite amazing. He is so proud and happy to have participated, and I thank you not only for all the hard work you put into such ventures, but for your respect towards these young people and the relationship you build with them.

My daughter arrived back home this week after her adventures with you all at Northwaters and I can honestly say I have never seen her look so happy.  Not always forthcoming about her doings,  she didn’t stop telling me about her experiences non stop for two days.   She found something very certain in herself on this trip, a strengthening in her fabric, which shines through all the stories.  Thank you so much to you and your colleagues and to her clearly wonderful trip leaders.

Thank you so very much not only for encouraging my son to enjoy and cherish his Langskib experience but mostly for the care, kindness and conscience that allowed him to flourish and grow through it. When he arrived home I couldn’t find the off switch for him and his wondrous tales, and I loved every moment of the tellings. My son returned home to me a better ‘man’ able to face new challenges with his teeth firmly to the wind!

The reason I sent my son to Langskib was because, if the literature was true, then it echoed my feelings on raising a boy—the idea of boy/man culture, mentoring, camaraderie, task-orientation and physical exertion. And as you, his dad and I are divorced, and, unfortunately, his father doesn’t represent the greatest male role-model—he’s more of a buddy to the kids than a dad. I wanted my son to go and see that there was more than one way to “be a man.” I was so excited on our drive up to Temagami for the BBQ; I could barely sleep the night before. The boat ride to the island. Waiting on the island. It was like Christmas. When you guys finally arrived, and I saw my son on the boat soaking wet my heart just swelled up. We both cried while we hugged each other tighter than ever before. I don’t think that moment will ever be forgotten. It was so awesome to see him in the camp environment—to see him interacting with his mates and his Leaders. On our way home we talked about how he got his Coo Feathers (which are now framed and hanging on his wall), his solo (thank you for giving the kids that opportunity, it was really special), his leaders, the rain (and the value of a good rain coat), canoeing, camping, cooking, his mates, what he learned, everything and nothing. We talked about how some of what he learned could be applied to life and school; how some people have already talked to him about really committing himself to get things done, and how it is all connected. In an effort to really learn these lessons, I told him he had to raise $100 to put towards his camp tuition next year. He put together a business plan—he’s getting people’s mail / watering plants / cat sitting/ fish sitting while people are away. At this point he’s already raised $255 with three jobs pending. I’ve really noticed a difference in him this year—he seems more determined to do his best at school instead of what he needs to do to get by. He’s starting to see that hard work really pays off—and sometimes the best pay off is a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

I am sorry that it has taken us so long to respond to the amazing experience that our son had. It was hard to put it into words, he returned to us quite changed, but in a powerful and mysterious way. We did make a place in our life for him to tell his story and he did say a great deal about the trip, mostly about the fun he had. But, I felt that he had withheld so much and couldn’t yet speak about it. With time though, it has slowly come from him. How it was the most important thing he feels that he has ever done; how he could begin high school with more sensitivity toward others and with more initiative; how he isn’t the ‘baby’ (a role he had guarded) of our family anymore; how his occasional adolescent cynicism can be reached with communication (this is still difficult though); how life isn’t just about ‘hanging out’. Thank you for this precious opportunity to grow that you have created for these young people. We are so grateful to you.

Both my husband and I have seen a notable, positive change in our daughter. She always talks most favorably about her experience at Northwaters, remarking how it was a life changing experience and one that gave her great inner and spiritual strength. She loved her trip leaders and still holds them in high esteem as wonderful role models. Our daughter often relates the life lessons learned at camp with present day challenges and recognizes the value of her experience then and her life now. Her teachers at school this year have noted a boost in confidence in her approach to her academics.

My daughter arrived home this morning and she is positively on cloud nine.  This was such a great experience for her.  Each year she feels stronger and more confident.  It is a feeling I hope she can hold on to throughout the year. I just wanted to thank you, her leaders and your staff.   She loved Laura and Lucy, her leaders.  She has wonderful stories about their capable and caring leadership.  Also, your staff at the airport was so supportive and helpful when the flights were canceled.  Matt, in particular, was very gracious in dealing with my concerned phone calls.

I picked up my daughter from London Heathrow airport last Tuesday – she’d spent 2 weeks after the Bay trip with her Dad and sisters in Wisconsin.  I want to thank you so much for once again enabling her to have a fantastic and life-enhancing experience (even including the black fly bites!).  And also to again thank Deepwater for making it possible financially.  She seems full of life and clearly her love for her fellow trippers and her leaders is profound.  Her summers with Northwaters have run like a thread through her teenage years, connecting her to the outdoors, the wild world, to adventure and to that strong and doughty side of herself she would certainly not have found in her life at home.  Each trip has brought it’s particular new notch of awareness and this time she used the word ‘spiritual’ for the first time.

My son has absolutely loved his experiences at Langskib. He talks about it all the time. He’s always planning for his next adventure there. Thank you so much for providing him with such amazing experiences.

My daughter has returned home and is full of great stories of her adventures and is very much looking forward to returning next year. Thank you for taking such great care of her. The only things she says she didn’t like about the trip was the spider in the thunder box and the mosquitoes!! And when we were waiting for her baggage at baggage claim at SFO, she proudly stated that SHE could carry her own bag because it was WAY lighter than what she was used to carrying!  Soooo cute! Thanks so much!!

Thanks for providing such an amazing experience for all of my children (my 7 year old Nicholas is counting the summers until he can attend). And thank you the BBQ and celebration we were able to attend – it wasn’t just awesome, but my husband and I were both filled with awe. As he mentioned on the way back, those kids were patterning for us, and certainly giving them words and actions that have never been a part of their life.

Just wanted to thank you for all of your correspondence and let you know that my daughter had a wonderful time. We have had several lovely chats about her trip and she thinks you both are such wonderful people. She also repeatedly felt a sense of community and family throughout her stay.

I wanted to thank you again for the special pick up for our son.  He said that on the second morning of his trip he asked to go home, he still felt that sick.  Once he felt better he was so very glad he stayed.  He had the most wonderful time, really enjoyed all the challenges, making new friends, and was very proud of his achievements.  He came back to us on a real high. So thank you for a great camp experience and hopefully he will be able to participate on one of your trips next year.  He is already looking forward to it.

Although it has been weeks since we have been at Northwaters, we still think of and talk about that beautiful place every day. When we arrived in Temagami, we were caught off-guard by the staggering beauty of the lake and the incomparable strength of the young women at base camp. The sensory experience of seeing the camp, hearing the experiences and stories, feeling the power, strength and self-confidence radiate from the young women in our daughters group, and tasting not only the wonderful food, but the atmosphere of the camp was almost overwhelming. I found myself having to leave the camp and go look out on the lake and compose myself. My husband felt the same way. We never knew the extent of the power of the experience that our daughter has had each year. Stories tell only part of the adventure-the rest has to be seen and experienced. Although we were only at Temagami for a short time, it had left a lasting impression. We will be back for a longer visit to fully appreciate what the lake has to offer and to enjoy what our daughter has come to believe as her sanctuary from her ‘regular’ life. Each year, you thank us for entrusting our daughters to you. It is our turn to thank you for offering this demanding and unique experience that makes each girl dig deep within themselves and begin to appreciate the depth of spirit and strength that they possess.

Recently, my son was asked by his teachers if he would share with his classmates about his trip. He did this wholeheartedly and what amazement it brought to everyone! He has been so satisfied with his trip and we have loved hearing him tell about it. We REALLY loved coming to the barbeque and meeting all of you. What a wonderful and beautiful place! I am so glad that our son has had the opportunity to be there. Thank you so much for all that you do, it is such a precious deed.

Our son had an amazing time with your group — he is so inspired. Thanks for all that you provide and do.