Smoothwater offers a cross-curricular approach to experiential education based on the current and historic Temagami experience in northeastern Ontario.

Smoothwater programs support your lessons in Canadian & World Studies, Health & Physical Education, Science, Social Studies & Humanities, Business, Travel & Tourism, Native Studies, English, The Arts, and Technological Education

Let us customize your ideal school experience. Call 1-888-569-4539.

Smoothwater Outfitters & Ecolodge has provided nature based adventure and outdoor education programming for students and their teachers for the past 9 years. Currently we offer a cross-curricular approach to experiential education based on the Temagami experience in north-eastern Ontario. Perfect for credit classes, outers clubs, & teachers pursuing professional development.

Our leadership staff feature an impressive skill-set that combines experience with outdoor certifications. We also work with professional, local resource people to enrich your understanding of Ontario's northern culture and economy.

We use our 50 km trail system and the larger Temagami area to explore northeastern Ontario's social, economic and environmental realities. We then challenge students to examine the ways in which their behaviours shape the world we live in. It's a stimulating journey that has made real, lasting differences in the lives of students living in urban centres.

EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Interpretive tours into old growth pine forests, forestry workshops, logging field trips, native culture, land use planning, storytelling, wilderness skills, green technologies, snowshoeing, x-c skiing, winter camping, quinzhee building, canoe trips, hiking, painting workshops, ORCA courses.

FACILITY OVERVIEW
Lodgings and meals for groups 8 to 30 / Private space (Gathering Hall) for presentations and study
50 km. trail system with outpost cabins / Heated wall tents
Canoe and gear rentals, shuttles / Snowshoe and cross country ski rentals

LODGINGS & MENUS
Our Gathering Hall is multi-purpose building reserved for students as a place to hear presentations, play guitar, games and just be kids. Its cobalt blue walls, cathedral ceiling and pine wood floor are inspiring. The walls of windows welcome the outdoors in, while an oil stove makes the space cozy.

For sleeping, our male and female bunkhouses provide students with warm and comfortable dorm-style lodgings. Ensuite are large, segregated washrooms. Kids are required to bring their own sleeping bags and towels. Teachers and supervisors usually sleep in private rooms adjacent to the students for easy supervision.
         
                                  

Smoothwater is acclaimed for its cuisine by all kinds of guests. Healthy food that kids like to eat is important to us. Typical menu samples follow below:

• Breakfast: 1) cereal/scrambled eggs/sausages/fruit 2) Muesli/cinnamon buns/muffins/fruit
• Lunch: 1) Hot soup with grilled cheese/veggie sticks/fruit and cookies 2) Assorted sandwich wraps/veggie sticks/rice krispie squares
• Dinner: 1) Heritage dinner with roast turkey/salad/wild rice/trappers bread/Jerusalem artichokes/veggies/maple butter tarts. 2) Vegetarian pie/Greek salad/chocolate cake
• Snack: 1) bagels/cream cheese/ 2) nachos/milk 3) fruit bowl and yogurt
  

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

• "...Thanks for the excellent trip. I agree that it was the best yet -- particularly with respect to curriculum objectives." G. Barnes / West Ferris S.S.
• "...These kinds of programs need more attention in Ontario's schools. They provide activities which cannot be duplicated in the classroom. As an educator I would wholeheartedly recommend the Smoothwater experience to teachers and leaders of students." C. Vassbotn / Temagami Public School
• "...Smoothwater's program provides interaction between students and natural resource workers including foresters, tourism operators, conservationists and land use planners. The students listen to native people talk about the journey of their ancestors and native life today. The program also includes frank discussions on controversial environmental issues that are front and centre in Ontario." F. Johnson / Grant Forest Products Inc.
• "...Every detail of the trip, every aspect of organization could not have been better arranged. Everyone on the trip learned a great deal about the environment, leadership and the natural history of the area. I can commend Smoothwater to any school seeking a similar experience utterly without reservation, and I count myself lucky to have been involved with Francis, Caryn and their terrific team." A.D. Macdonald / Lomond School, Scotland
• "...On behalf of Orchard Park's Integrated Environmental Studies class, I thank you for providing a memorable and meaningful experience. Your facilities, setting, choice of speakers and activities allowed us to experience the many facets of Temagami for a true experiential learning adventure. Over the last four years I have brought classes to your home and business." B. Lennox / Waterdown S.S.

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PROGRAM SAMPLES & LINKS

• From Horse Logging to Mechanization
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 9: Geography of Canada, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 12: The Environment and Resource Management, (U/C, W) Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C,W)
• Old Growth Forestry Tour - The Economics of Spirituality & Harvesting
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 9: Geography of Canada, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: The Americas: Geographic Patterns and Issues, (U/C) / Grade 12: The Environment and Resource Management, (U/C, W) Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11:Biology, (U) / Grade 11: Biology, college (C ) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C) / Grade 12: Science, (W) Physical Education: Grade 9-11: Healthy and Active Living, (O)
• Temagami Issues - Balancing Northern & Southern Ontario's Needs & Wants
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 9: Geography of Canada, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: The Americas: Geographic Patterns and Issues, (U/C) / Grade 12: The Environment and Resource Management, (U/C,W) Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C,W)
• A Day in the Life of a Forester
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 9: Geography of Canada, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 12: The Environment and Resource Management, (U/C/W)
  Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: Biology, (C) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C,W)
• From Cornucopia to Clearcut - An Environmental History
  Curriculum links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 9: Geography of Canada, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: The Americas: Geographic Patterns and Issues, (U/C) / Grade 12: The Environment and Resource Management, (U/C,W)
  Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: Biology, (C) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C/W)
• Native Spirituality & the Land
  Links:Canadian & World Studies: Grade 10:Canadian History in the 20th Century, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: The Americas: Geographic Patterns & Issues, (U/C)
  Science: Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac)
  Native Studies: Grade 9:Expressing Aboriginal Cultures, (O) / Grade 10:Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, (O) / Grade 11:English: Contemporary Aboriginal Voices, (U/C, W) / Grade 11:Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada, (U/C) / Grade 11:Aboriginal Beliefs, Values, Aspirations in Canadian Society, (C, W)
• Garbage Audit - Developing Awareness of Cultural Supply & Demand
  Links: Science: Grade 10: Science, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: Science, (U/C) / Grade 12: Science, (U/C,W)
  Canadian & World Studies: Grade 10: Civics (O)
• Painting & Drawing
  Links: Visual Art: Grade 9: Visual Arts, (O) / Grade 10: Visual Arts, (O)
  Grade 11: Visual Arts,(O, U/C) / Grade 12: Visual Arts, (U/C)
• Writers of the Canadian Shield
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 10: (Ac, Ap)
  English: Grade 9 & 10: English, (Ac, Ap) / Grade 11: Canadian Literature, (Ac, Ap)
• Paddling & Canoe Tripping
  Links: Physical Education: Grade 9-11: Healthy and Active Living, (O)* / Grade 12: (O,U)
• Primitive Technology & Wilderness Survival Skills
  Links: Canadian & World Studies: Grade 10: Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, (Ac, Ap)
  Grade 11: The Americas: Geographic Patterns and Issues, (U/C)
  Physical Education: Grade 9: Healthy and Active Living,(O) / Grade 10: Healthy and Active Living, (O)
• Cross Country Skiing / Snowshoeing / Winter Camping / Outpost Cabins
  Links: Physical Education: Grade 9-11: Healthy and Active Living, (O) / Grade 12: (O,U)