Surprising, or rather impressive. This is what comes to mind when I see how fast the group is bonding, how participants open up to each other, how they share, how profound they can be.
The day started with a circle of discussion. The youths were asked to share their fears but most of all their objectives at the start of the expedition. Thus, some of them wished to use this expedition to turn the page on a rather unpleasant episode in their lives. Others want to use this opportunity to share with other youths who really understand what they went through. Still others are pleased to face a challenge of their choice and not something that was imposed on them. Believe me when I tell you I am impressed…
A good part of the morning was used to learn about the equipment, choose the proper clothing, how to use the sleeping bags, determine how to, shall we say… answer the call of nature deep in the forest, and learn about hygiene and water treatment during an expedition. After a delicious lunch on the shores of Georgian Bay, we held the First Pebble Skimming World Championship. Sébastien was the winner with 8 skips.
Finally, in mid-afternoon we “broke the ice” and put the kayaks in the water for the first time in preparation for the next eight days. “Breaking the ice” is to be taken in a figurative sense, of course. This is Northern Ontario, but it’s not THAT cold! On the contrary, the waters of this section of Lake Huron are pleasantly warm. So is the breeze; the scenery is pastoral and, young and old, show their best smiles.
So, on the eve of our adventure, we use the showers and facilities of Killbear Park for the last time. Starting Monday morning, we will spend our nights in the deep forest.