Tag: Samuel de Champlain

Why fall camping is a must at Samuel de Champlain

Today’s blog comes from Heather Stern, the Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain.

I will confess: I LOVE fall. To me, it is the best season because it is the time when I get to go camping.

As a park staff, it’s tricky to go during the busy summer months, but as things begin to slow down in the fall, there’s usually more time to get away and visit some provincial parks.

This doesn’t bother me, though, because camping at this time of the year is the best! The cooler temperatures and shorter days provide opportunities we don’t get in July and August.

And, to me, fall camping is just better at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Here’s why:

Continue reading Why fall camping is a must at Samuel de Champlain

Together, we’re protecting our turtles

We’re doing it!

We’re helping more and more turtles in our provincial parks with the support of our incredible donors.

Over the past several months, we have collected donations for our Turtle Protection Projects across Ontario.

We are thrilled to report that many of these projects are well underway. Our park staff are working hard to protect and monitor nesting turtles and their hatchlings.

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Mattawa River: sculpted by time

Today’s post comes from Mat St-Jules, a park interpreter at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

The sights of the Mattawa River keep drawing me back.

I find incredible beauty in a scraggly cedar clinging to sheer rock or in the gleaming coat of a river otter standing on a sandbar. But, of course, these marvels don’t stand on their own.

Below the wildlife and past the trees is the foundation of this land: the geology it all rests on.

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Campsite vacancy highlights: October 11-14

Gather friends and family around the picnic table this year and spend Thanksgiving out in nature surrounded by beautiful fall colours!

Scout out your ideal campsite on our Campsite Browsing/Reservation tool (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of 10:00 am. on October 9, 2019):

Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: October 11-14

Campsite vacancy highlights: September 27-29

Fall colours are here, folks! Get outdoors and enjoy the season.

Roofed accommodations, electrical sites, and non-electrical sites are all available to fit your camping needs this weekend.

Scout out your ideal campsite on our Campsite Browsing/Reservation tool (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of 9:00 am. on September 26, 2019):

Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: September 27-29

Campsite vacancy highlights: August 16-18

This August, Ontario Parks is challenging you to spend 30 minutes in nature each day for 30 days. You know what would make meeting that challenge really easy? Spending a whole weekend in nature!

Scout out your ideal campsite on our Campsite Browsing/Reservation tool (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of noon on August 15, 2019):

Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: August 16-18

The best parts of a northern summer, according to a southern naturalist

Today’s post comes from Connor Ferguson, an Assistant Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Every summer, you’ll find me in the parks of northern Ontario, sharing my love of nature with visitors from around the world as an Ontario Parks naturalist.

When the operating season is done, and the visitors have returned home, I go back to where I’m from: the far south of the province. I like to think that moving between these regions gives me a special appreciation for my time in the north.

Here are some of the reasons why I love spending my summers in Ontario’s north.

Continue reading The best parts of a northern summer, according to a southern naturalist

Behind the Scenes: working with the Discovery Program at Samuel de Champlain

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

Spirit walks and storytellers

When paddling a river or toasting marshmallows, it can be easy to forget the rich cultural history of Ontario’s provincial parks.

We’ve got all kinds of storytelling going on in our parks this August,  especially in the evenings.

Continue reading Spirit walks and storytellers