Tag: Camping

It’s May — what are Black Bears up to?

Planning a visit and wondering whether you’ll see a Black Bear? Tune in to our monthly Black Bear feature where our ecologists let you know common bear behaviour for the month or season.

Spring is upon us, and Ontario’s Black Bears are ready for another season of eating to gain fat for winter hibernation.

While young bear cubs are sticking close to their moms, yearling bears (bears that are about a year and a half) may be leaving and striking out on their own for the first time in search of food. (Your actions really make a difference for young Black Bears this month!)

Here’s what our bears are up to this month:

Continue reading It’s May — what are Black Bears up to?

Gaining experience with the Learn to Camp program

Today’s post comes from the family at CreateWithMom.com — a family of four living in the GTA, looking for adventure whenever possible!

Our first learning experience on how to car camp was with the Ontario Parks Learn to Camp program a few years ago.

After this, we invested in camping equipment and have gone on many camping adventures at different Ontario Parks.

Camping has become an activity we love doing as a family.

Continue reading Gaining experience with the Learn to Camp program

How to leave the park greener than you found it

Today’s post comes from Sheila Wiebe, a marketing and development specialist at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

I promise to be greener.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m already pretty green. However, after leading an Earth Day park clean up, I decided I need to take it one step further and double up my efforts to further reduce my impact on the environment.

Continue reading How to leave the park greener than you found it

My Park My Story: we asked, you answered

A few months ago, we launched the #MyParkMyStory campaign where we invited our visitors to gather around our virtual campfire to share their favourite park memories and experiences.

And boy, did you deliver!

So, pull up your virtual folding chair, grab a marshmallow or hot dog on a roasting stick, and let’s have a fireside chat.

Today, we’re sharing some of our favourite #MyParkMyStory memories submitted by you!

Continue reading My Park My Story: we asked, you answered

Visibility in the outdoors: why I love camping as a Black person

Today’s post comes from Claire Zlobin from LifeWithABaby.com. 

In honour of Black History Month, I wanted to talk about one of the things I always hear that Black people don’t do: camping.

I’ve been hearing that “Black people don’t camp” for years, which is, of course, false.

However I do think this deters some people from attempting to go camping, because they feel like they’ll be othered, or the only ones there.

I’m here to show you that Black people do camp, and that camping is an excellent low-cost vacation.

Continue reading Visibility in the outdoors: why I love camping as a Black person

My winter hot tent trip to Algonquin Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Ken Jones at @ken_jones.outdoors. 

February can feel like the best month of the year to stay inside where it’s warm and dry. That said, it can also be one of the quietest, most beautiful and tranquil times to explore the outdoors.

This past weekend, my fiancée and I had the opportunity to camp at Algonquin Provincial Park in all of its winter-y glory.

Continue reading My winter hot tent trip to Algonquin Provincial Park

Honouring Quetico: my experience as an artist-in-residence

The Artist-in-Residence Program at Quetico Provincial Park provided two weeks of rest, peace, inspiration, and creativity at the artist’s studio on French Lake. In today’s post, Jennifer Caie shares her experience as Quetico’s artist-in-residence in June and July of 2019.

Arriving at the studio, I was exhausted and worn out by the stresses of life.

After unloading my art supplies from the car, I just sat down in an overwhelming calmness.

The scene was peaceful.

Continue reading Honouring Quetico: my experience as an artist-in-residence

The great outdoors are… great!

Today’s blog comes from Sarah Higginson, a market development specialist with Ontario Parks.

August is over and so is the Healthy Parks Healthy People 30×30 Challenge.

This was my first year taking on the challenge (not counting the year I did it for two days then got distracted) and it was a magical month-long adventure filled with scenery, sunshine, and even some self-awareness!

Continue reading The great outdoors are… great!