Teachings from Canoe Tripping

Teachings from Wilderness Canoe Tripping for everyday life

On my journey, I had the incredible opportunity over a ten year period to lead people of all ages on wilderness canoe journeys. Living in Southern Ontario afforded me the close proximity to some of the best canoe tripping likely in the world ~ Algonquin Provincial Park, Killarney Provincial Park and the stunning area known as Temagami. We would often drink straight out of the lake (although more recently they recommend boiling it). I began this work leading inner city youth (kids from foster homes, on probation, etc.) on ten day journeys.

There were many lessons that I learned that can be applied to life. Below are some of those lessons that I hope will help you on your journey wherever you are.

Always be extra careful in the kitchen.

Get a good nights sleep and take rest breaks during the day.

Have a mission.

Take extra care of those who are having a hard time.

Spend time sharing stories around a fire.

Get up with the sunrise.

Get to camp well before dusk.

Let others know where you are going.

Love/help your neighbors who may need some support/guidance

Do your dishes and put them away after a meal.

Avoid leaving out accessible food.

Empower others as much as possible.

Stretch

For those having a challenge on the canoe trip/in life, have a place to take them where they can heal.

Especially for the novice, do not embark on a wilderness canoe trip without ideally at least two competent guides. Ideally in life, our parents are those guides. If one or both of them have not been able to guide you, find mentors to help you on your way. Life without a good guide could be as dangerous as someone who is not prepared/skilled embarking on a canoe trip without a guide.

'Warn people about dangers so as to avoid them in order to have a safe, joyous journey.

In a way, life is like a canoe trip and I recently heard this warning by the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, MD who has described loneliness as an epidemic on par with tobacco use. And, like a good guide, he provides the antidote. He said, "The antidote is human connection."

Perhaps if you know a lonely person, you can reach out to help them along their way.

Be prepared to start a fire on a rainy day.

First thing to do when you arrive at a campsite ~ put up a tarp.

Avoid 'solo' trips ~ avoid going through life 'solo'.