Today’s post comes from Kathleen Boston, a Discovery Leader at Pancake Bay Provincial Park.
Three years ago, I applied to spend my summer working at Pancake Bay Provincial Park. It was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Thankfully I was chosen to work as a gate attendant for my first year. In my second year I moved to the maintenance department, and now, in my third year, I am part of the Discovery Program team.
In 1944, Algonquin Provincial Park decided to try something new.
They hired Professor J.R. Dymond, Director of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, to deliver guided hikes for park visitors. Those first interpretive programs were a success and what would become the Ontario Parks Discovery Program was born.
Seventy-five years later, roughly 300 Discovery staff in over 70 parks continue to engage visitors with stories of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and encourage them to explore further.
Continue reading The Ontario Parks Discovery Program: 75 years in the making
In our “Behind the Scenes” series, Discovery Program staff across the province share a “backstage” glimpse of their favourite programs and projects. Today’s post comes from Jordan Welch and Kelly Taylor, Discovery Program staff at Lake Superior Provincial Park
We have all been asked the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
We tend to make the decision based on the experiences we have. For some, it’s school; for others, it’s travel. Perhaps even friends and family help in deciding a career path. We went outside.
Today’s post comes from the Wandering Wagars, an adventure-loving family travelling the globe.
A great attraction can transport you into another world.
But the staff at Murphys Point Provincial Park took things in a different direction, and ended up taking us back in time.
Continue reading Step back in time at the Silver Queen Mine open house
In our “Behind the Scenes” series, Discovery Program staff across the province share a “backstage” glimpse of their favourite programs and projects. Today’s post comes from Heather Stern, a Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.
So you think you want to work with the Ontario Parks Discovery Program…
Every spring, while interviewing potential Discovery Program staff, someone inevitably asks, “What can I expect to do in this role?”
This is always a great question, but it can be difficult to answer. Every day will likely look slightly different, and your responsibilities will vary depending on the season.
Continue reading Behind the Scenes: working with the Discovery Program at Samuel de Champlain
Today’s post comes from Charlotte Westcott, a Discovery Program staff member at Lake Superior Provincial Park.
As the sun sets, the stars begin to appear. Like old friends, their familiar glow brings us home no matter how far away our house may be. Our friendly acquaintances, the constellations, trace their way across the sky. The white glow of the Milky Way emerges slowly to drown out its fainter neighbours.
Far away from the light pollution of major cities, Lake Superior Provincial Park’s night sky is one of the darkest in North America.
Continue reading The long road to Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Dark Sky Preserve
Summer is here, and now’s the perfect time for a last minute family road trip!
During the busy summer months, the solution to finding your serene camping trip is heading north. Here are a few near north parks we suggest visiting with your little ones.
This year marks 75 years of interactive Discovery Programs at Ontario Parks.
To celebrate, parks across the province are planning a special day of guided hikes and Discovery Drop-ins on August 10!
Continue reading Celebrate 75 years of Discovery with a guided hike
Humanity’s fascination with the celestial bodies dates back millennia.
And times haven’t changed.
Star parties and night sky events are held in our parks every summer, especially in northern Ontario, where there’s less light pollution.
Continue reading Summer star parties 2019
Family with young kids? This is the park for you!
We have large private campsites, activities to keep the wee ones entertained for hours, and large towns are just a short drive away.
