By TERRY PUGH
Students at Warman High School (WHS) are learning to paddle their own canoes in preparation for a three-day wilderness trip to northern Saskatchewan later this month.
Grade 11 students in the WHS Outdoor Education class and Grades 9-12 students in the school’s extra-curricular Outdoor Education Club are headed to Kingsmere Lake in late May and early June where they’ll paddle and portage their way to Grey Owl’s Cabin.
But, before they hit the trail, they’re mastering the fundamentals of keeping a canoe on an even keel by paddling across the storm water reservoir in Prairie Oasis Park.
And apparently, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
“The kids have a mix of experience,” said WHS teacher Sean Brandt, who has been guiding the class and the club for the past 15 years.
“Some are brand new to the water, while others have some knowledge. But, with these practice sessions on a small sheltered body of water, we make sure that all the students have had a chance to be in both positions. In the bow they work on generating power to move the boat, and in the stern they focus on steering.”
The students also have a session at an indoor pool at the university in Saskatoon, where they pass a swimming test and practice righting capsized canoes. In addition, they learn what to expect when they’re camping out in the northern forest. The students are also fully briefed on bear safety.
“This upcoming trip is an adventure and a true learning experience for all the students,” said Brandt. “We’ve organized canoe trips to northern Saskatchewan for several years, but this is the first time we’re making this particular trek to Grey Owl’s Cabin. It’s a 15-kilometer canoe trip down the lake along the shoreline, and from there it’s a hike in to the cabin of over a kilometer. It’s a rather substantial portage, and the students will be packing their canoes and all their gear in.”
For many students whose only camping experience has been in a 40-foot-long luxury fifth-wheel with wifi, satellite television and air conditioning, sleeping in a tent will be an eye-opener.
“They’re going to be roughing it,” said Brandt. “That’s for sure. They go into it a little apprehensive, but it always ends with a smile.”
Brandt and fellow WHS teacher Mark Perry will be guiding the class and the club on two separate trips to Grey Owl’s Cabin. The Grade 11 class is slated to make the trek May 28-30, while the club members follow in their wake June 1-3.
“At the end of the trip, we hope the kids are excited about the outdoors and looking forward to their next adventure,” said Brandt.
While the northern canoe trips are the highlight of the academic year for WHS students in both the class and the club, it’s only one of many activities they take part in.
“Our club goes all year, from September to June,” said Brandt. “This past winter we went night skiing at Table Mountain.”
While the club is open to all students, the for-credit Grade 11 class is limited to 24 spots. This past year, 86 students applied, indicating the growing popularity of the program.
Brandt said the goal is to provide students with an opportunity to learn new skills by introducing them to outdoor activities, while gaining a respect for nature.
Ainsley Hill and Alex Wirachowsky paddle across the waters of the stormwater pond at Prairie Oasis Park on Thursday, May 15.
Joshn Burnett and Aaliyah Henderson paddle ahead of their classmates on Thursday, May 15.