Introductory canoe tripping - for campers 10 to 14 years old

Campers will learn tandem paddling skills, canoe tripping safety, canoe rescues and trip planning and preparation. Camp will also include games, river exploration, swimming at the beach, a day trip on the Rideau River and overnight tent camping (Thursday night of each session). Canoe Camp will be run out of Baxter’s River Cabin.

Cost: $245 / camper

Before and After Care: $15/day/camper (Maximum $150 per family)

A fun filled week for 6 to 12 year olds, exploring Baxter’s pond, meadow and forest habitats with different interactive nature studies (I.e. pond study, insect study, etc.), activities, games, crafts and swimming at our sandy beach. Our goal at camp is to get outside and explore the natural world as much as possible over the course of the week.

Cost: $190/day/camper

Before and After Care: $10/day/camper (Maximum $100 per family)

Topics will include:

• beneficial soil functions (water infiltration and holding capacity, natural fertility, disease suppression, and carbon sequestration)
• organisms of the soil food web (who eats whom and why it matters)
• requirements of healthy soil ecosystems
• basic soil health principles
• how all of the above relate to best management practices such as conservation tillage, cover crops, and organic amendments

Hands-on Exercises will include: identifying soil organisms, using a penetrometer, conducting slake & soil infiltration tests.

At the end of the workshop, those interested may stay (until as late as 4:30 pm) to run some of the following tests on their own soil samples:

• bring approximately one-litre sample of your own soil to the workshop.
• using microscopes provided, and with assistance in using them from workshop staff, you’ll be able to view your own soil at 400x magnification to get a better understanding of the micro-organisms in your soil.
• take the fencerow/woodlot challenge where you can test your soil’s ability to absorb rain and keep its structure in wet conditions as compared to samples taken from fencerows and woodlots in your region (slake and infiltration tests).

If you plan to participate in the bonus session, please note this on your registration form so that further soil sampling instructions can be provided in advance.

Registration Form — The Biology of Soil Health