Edible and Medicinal Plants Class

June 4th-7th

Presented by Earth Tracks

The plant world provides many gifts for us; Nutrition, Medicine, Utilitarian Uses, Natural Beauty & Guidance among others. It can be hard to know where to start when first learning how to work with the plants that surround us. In this class the student will learn how to penetrate the ‘wall of green’ and begin their own journey with the plants that surround us. We will focus on proper identification techniques, the use of field guides, drying, storing and preparation of these plants, medicinal properties as well as herbal tea making. The participant will gain practical hands on experience and come away from the program with an understanding of how to pursue future studies of wild edible and medicinal plants. These skills and techniques will help to deepen your relationship with the plant nation and provide a solid foundation on which to increase your knowledge.


This class will take place at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat
near Oxtongue lake next to Algonquin Park The cost of the program is $350 and includes 3 nights lodging, 3 dinners*, instruction and all materials.

Registration for this program will be done through Earth Tracks. We require a $100 deposit in order to secure your spot in the program. For more information please visit our website at http://www.earthtracks.ca/

For information on the Wolf Den and their facilities please visit their website at
http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/

* We will supply 3 dinners. Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. Full kitchen facilities are available.

Winter Fun Weekend

Winter seems to be flying past us here, but it has been a beautiful season with a great amount of snow for all sorts of winter activity and fun! Our friends at Algonquin Outfitters will be contributing to it by hosting “Winter Fun Day” on February 21. Saturday will be full of all sorts of free winter activities for the whole family and there is a guided hike on Sunday. There’s still room left at the Wolf Den to make it into a “Winter Fun Weekend”, so give us a call soon to make sure you get a space.
Check out Algonquin Outfitters website for more information on the day. Algonquin Outfitters

March Break Nature Retreat for Teachers

Relaxation, Exploration, Celebration, and Nature Education

March 15 – 18, 2009

Come join us for 3 days and 3 nights in the beautiful wilderness surrounding Algonquin Park, .

This retreat will be catered to the busy teacher looking to rejuvenate in Nature's Beauty, learn more about the natural world, and explore some of the many uses of natures gifts. Naturalist and Outdoor Educator Chris Gilmour along with guest instructors will be leading the group through fun and educational activities that could be brought back to the classroom or used as hobbies away from your work!

Activities will include:
- Pine needle basket making
- Felting Project
- Winter Ecology
- Snowshoeing or hiking
- Wild edible and medicinal plants
- Wildlife Tracking
- Kids Games
- Fire Making
- Warm delicious dinners
- Free Time
- And More!

The cost of this program is $260* and it includes: 3 nights accommodation at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat, 3 nights and 2 ½ days of programming, craft and other coarse materials, 3 instructors, and 3
dinners**

Day care may be available for parents at no additional cost. Please inquire.

* Snowshoes will likely be needed for outdoor activities (weather permitting). Please bring your own if you have them. Snowshoes can be rented for you at Algonquin Outfitters for the 16th & 17th at an additional cost of $40. Please let us know a.s.a.p. if you will need them.

** Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. They can be prepared and stored in a fully equipped communal kitchen.

The program will begin with dinner at 5:30pm Sunday evening and finish at roughly 1pm Wednesday. Additional nights accommodation can be booked at the Wolf Den by visiting: Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat or calling:
1-866-271-9336

Photo Contest

ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST

WILDLIFE OF ALGONQUIN PARK

http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/contest

The contest has been running over at Algonquin Outfitter's website for over a month now and we've received 44 great entries thus far. The third photo contest of 2008 (or the first one of 2009, all depends on how you look at it), features "Wildlife and People". So keep digging through your photos for those great pictures showing the wildlife of Algonquin Park (moose, deer, loons, raccoons or even chipmunks, oh and don't forget blackbears), bonus points will be awarded if your photo also include people watching the wildlife.

There are great prizes to be had. The contest closes on January 15th so please visit the above link to enter.

Did someone say snow? If anyone put an order in, it has been delivered! It is an absolute winter wonderland here in Algonquin Park.

Christmas is fast approaching and the surroundings have certainly contributed to that “Christmas Feeling.” There's so much to do here whether it be hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, dog sledding, or just relaxing by a fire. We are also hoping to have a skating area ready in the next week or so (weather dependent.) Through the holidays we are excited to be offering nature programs for children and youth with Chris Gilmour of Earthmentorship on Dec 28th and 29th. Four different sessions will be run (2 a day) with a cost of $10/session. You can find out more information on Chris Gilmour’s website http://www.earthmentorship.com. We will also be running similar programs with Chris through the March break and will provide more information pertaining to the programs soon.

With plenty of room here at the Wolf Den for individuals, couples, families/ groups, feel free to give us a call or email to spend some time with us through the holidays. If we don’t see you here, have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for 2009!

November Algonquin

We don’t always fully realize when in the midst of it.
All morning the tasks tromped through my head with a few bucking up just to make sure I wouldn’t let dust settle on them. Winter door installed...check, rooms cleaned...check, laundry folded...check. My companion for the day, Jasmine, a wonderfully spirited dog, was prancing around playfully which she rarely does inside the main lodge. Finally, I realize she wants to take me outside for Frisbee or ball fetch. We step outside and, as soon as we do, I feel my mind chug to a full stop and my senses step forward for their time to frolic.
It is a grey, November, autumn day here in Algonquin Park, and like any of the other three seasons it has its own beauty that evokes a sense of awe within me. As I hit the dampish, cool air, I am overwhelmed by how everything around touches and plays with my senses. I feel as if I have been given smelling salts to awaken me from my sleep of busyness. The misty air dances around the pines and other naked deciduous trees that have lived here far longer than I. Tree branches seem so delicate as they reach far above me. I think of a ballet or classical Thai or Indian dancer who is particular with the movement of their fingers, it seems as if each tiny branch is holding its pose with this same grace and intent. I take some deep breaths and feel the cool, damp air travel through my nasal and other passages rushing into my lungs as if it were on a mission to remind every part it touches how vibrant and full of life it is. The scent of the earth and the leaves that are starting to break down into the soil drift past my olfactory senses in subtle presentation. Some birds go on as if in conversation and I stand still happy to listen to their voices instead of those in my head which kept me marching all morning.
Sometimes I find myself getting lost in “busy” , but such a magnificent setting as Algonquin Park has a way of grabbing hold of me and in a most loving way says “Wake up! Step outside of the “To Do” list and breathe....feel, receive the gifts that surround you.”

Blog....check. Hmmmm, well at least I was able to linger in those sensory experiences a little longer while writing this.

Kayak Lessons

Mondays and Tuesdays June - September

SK1 Flatwater Kayak Instruction - ORCKA and Paddle Canada Certified Instructor James Seabrook

Courses and Costs
Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced Levels

At the Wolf Den location - By Appointment
1 Person $120
2 Per. $110 Each
3 Per. $100 Each
4 Per. $90 Each
5 Per. $80 Each

Includes all paddling, safety equipment and kayaks


We meet your needs:
Every aspect of our kayaking school is a reflection of our commitment to put the student's needs first. No other kayak school combines the best in: ideal course locations, class size limits, instructor experience, and equipment selection.
Our kayaking lessons are designed to maximize your learning. We provide you with a kayak, paddle, PFD, spray skirt and all necessary safety equipment.

For more info or reservations please contact James at
416 576-7332
twocre8fun@hotmail.com