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Frequently Asked Questions
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[accordions title=”
Youth and Adult Trip Programs
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[accordion title=”What do we sleep in?”]
Most of our trippers sleep in four person expedition tents. Some trips get to stay in 12 person Marquis tents. On all youth programs, boys and girls sleep in separate tents. We all sleep on the tent floor; so many choose to bring an inflatable mattress or foam pad to sleep upon. For a more complete list, view our Sample Packing List[/accordion]
[accordion title=”What do we eat?”]
The delicious and well-balanced menu contains no meat or peanut products. Typical breakfasts include: pancakes, granola, fresh baked muffins, and of course, oatmeal. Lunches are usually sandwich affairs with salads or soups. Dinners include: chili dishes, pastas, curries, stir-fries, and the ever-popular paddle-pockets. Everyone helps in the preparation of most meals. Our Backpacking trips include many freeze dried meals to reduce the weight participants have to carry. Click here to view the sample canoe trip menu.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”What do we need to bring? What does PaddleFoot provide?”]A lot of what you need, you already have. Things like T-shirts, sunglasses, a bathing suit, a water bottle etc. You also need to bring your own toiletries including sun-block, and insect repellent.Some specialized things you might not have around include a dry bag (something to put your stuff into to stay dry), 1 liter water bottle, sleeping bag, a pair of nylon hiking boots or shoes, a carabiner, a rain suit, ground sheet, a 3/4 length ultra light inflatable mattress (optional), a bug shirt (optional), and a flashlight. For a more complete list, view our Packing List[/accordion][accordion title=”How many trippers, and how many guides on each trip?”]Young Adventurers trips have a maximum of 7 children and two guides. Other canoe trips have a maximum of eight trippers to two guides.[/accordion][accordion title=”Is it safe? What kind of training do the guides have?”]Safety is always first. All of PaddleFoot’s guides complete an intensive pre-season training course specific to PaddleFoot’s programs. Guides are first aid certified by Wilderness Medical Associates, and some are Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians. On river trips, guides are certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians. Many guides are paddling instructors for ORCA . Expeditions carry state-of-the-art dual-signal satellite beacons or satellite phones. Visit our Safety and Standards page for more information about our safety standards and our quality norms.PaddleFoot trips have a high staff to tripper ratio, so individuals receive lots of attention around the campsite, on the trail and on the water! Besides the wealth of safety qualifications, our guides are chosen for their warmth, humour, and passion for the outdoors. For more information about our staff please visit Our Staff page.[/accordion][accordion title=”What do we do every day?”]We have fun. These are adventure trips, so we explore the places we go to, be it by paddle or foot. Days usually begin early, and after a hearty breakfast, we pack up all our equipment and food for the day’s journey.Throughout the day we may encounter historic sites and artifacts. Wildlife is common on all our trips. We make side trips to interesting places like waterfalls, peaks, and springs. Some bring fishing gear (ask PaddleFoot about local fishing regulations). At our campsite in the afternoon, the group sets up tents, prepares the fire and dinner. We bring arts and crafts supplies along, and some bring musical instruments for the nightly campfire. While we pack a lot of fun activity into every day, our trips are really about the participants. We focus on communication and teamwork based on respect. Each day the group meets to “debrief” the daily events. Everyone has input into what they liked and didn’t like, and can make suggestions on how to improve trip life. [/accordion][accordion title=”How can I pay for a PaddleFoot program?”]PaddleFoot accepts personal and business cheques, Visa and Mastercard. A limited bursary program is available for youth trips. Contact us for more information.[/accordion][accordion title=”What’s the cancellation and Refund Policy?”]Full payment is due any on or prior to the first day of your trip/course. There will be no refunds within 30 days of the trip/course start date. If you cancel prior to 30 days before course start date you will receive a refund of all fees except the non-refundable deposit fee that was paid upon registration.[/accordion][accordion title=”Where is PaddleFoot?”]The PaddleFoot lodge is located near Dorset, Ontario. We are situated almost half way between Bracebridge and Huntsville, ON. Our full time offices are located at the lodge at the PaddleFoot basecamp. [/accordion][/accordions]
[accordions title=”
Experiential Education Programs
” active=0 event=”click” disabled=false autoheight=true width=300][accordion title=”Where is the program hosted?”]PaddleFoot has multiple partner camps where our programs are hosted. We ensure that all our programs are hosted in beautiful locations across Muskoka. In collaboration with your educational team, we will arrange for a tasty menu and comfortable accommodation for you and your students while at camp. The trip portion of our programs can be hosted in Algonquin Park, in Temagami or on various rivers across Ontario. We elaborate a program for you and your students based on the needs and educational objectives of your faculty team. Contact us to discuss your specific needs as we can also customize our programs. [/accordion][accordion title=”What do we do on a PaddleFoot Experiential Education Program?”]We have fun! These are adventure trips, so we explore the places we go to, be it by paddle or foot. Days usually begin early, and after a hearty breakfast, we pack up all our equipment and food for the day’s journey. Throughout the day we may encounter historic sites and artifacts. Wildlife is common on all our trips. We make side trips to interesting places like waterfalls, peaks, and springs. Throughout the day we have many opportunities for teachable moments and group discussions. Facilitating group dynamics through group games and discussions is at the heart of all our school programs! At our campsite in the afternoon, the group sets up tents, prepares the fire and dinner. We bring arts and crafts supplies along, and some bring musical instruments for the nightly campfire. While we pack a lot of fun activity into every day, our trips are really about the participants. We focus on communication and teamwork based on respect. Each day the group meets to “debrief” the daily events and share about their learning’s. [/accordion][accordion title=”What do we need to bring? What does PaddleFoot provide?”]A lot of what you need, you already have. Things like T-shirts, sunglasses, a bathing suit, a water bottle etc. You also need to bring your own toiletries including sun-block, and insect repellent. Some specialized things you might not have around include a dry bag (something to put your stuff into to stay dry), 1 liter water bottle, sleeping bag, a pair of nylon hiking boots or shoes, a carabiner, a rain suit, ground sheet, a 3/4 length ultra light inflatable mattress (optional), a bug shirt (optional), and a flashlight. For a more complete list, view our Packing List. PaddleFoot provides: Well, everything else. We provide all the specialized camping equipment, things like tents, canoes, backpacks (except on hiking trips), helmets, PFD’s or life jackets, and all kitchen items like stoves, pots, pans, plates and utensils.[/accordion][accordion title=”What are PaddleFoot Facilitator guides like?”]All of PaddleFoot’s facilitator guides complete an intensive pre-season training course specific to PaddleFoot’s school programs. Guides are first aid certified by Wilderness Medical Associates, and some are Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians. On river trips, guides are certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians. Many guides are paddling instructors for ORCKA PaddleFoot trips have a high staff to tripper ratio, so individuals receive lots of attention around the campsite, on the trail and on the water! Besides the wealth of safety qualifications, our guides are chosen for their warmth, humour, and passion for the outdoors. All our facilitator guides have an extensive background working with youth in a wilderness context. For more information about our staff please visit Our Staff page.[/accordion][accordion title=”How does PaddleFoot manage risk?”]Safety is always first. Expeditions carry state-of-the-art dual-signal satellite beacons or satellite phones and our trip routes are researched extensively. Our 15 years of expertise in expedition planning makes us a resource for many in the outdoor industry. Visit our Safety and Standards page for more information about our safety standards and our quality norms. [/accordion][accordion title=”What is the menu like and how does PaddleFoot manage Allergies?”]The delicious and well-balanced menu contains no meat or peanut products. Typical breakfasts include: pancakes, granola, fresh baked muffins, and of course, oatmeal. Lunches are usually sandwich affairs with salads or soups. Dinners include: chili dishes, pastas, curries, stir-fries, and the ever-popular paddle-pockets. Snacks are available twice a day to ensure that everyone’s energy levels and spirits stay up! Everyone helps in the preparation of most meals. Our Backpacking trips include many freeze dried meals to reduce the weight participants have to carry. Click here to view the sample canoe trip menu.[/accordion][accordion title=”What are Educators responsible for during a program?”]Answer[/accordion][/accordions]
[accordions title=”
Training Programs
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[accordion title=”What is Wilderness Safety Systems?”]
Most of our trippers sleep in four person expedition tents. Some trips get to stay in 12 person Marquis tents. On all youth programs, boys and girls sleep in separate tents. We all sleep on the tent floor; so many choose to bring an inflatable mattress or foam pad to sleep upon. For a more complete list, view our Sample Packing List[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Where is Wilderness Safety Systems?”]
The delicious and well-balanced menu contains no meat or peanut products. Typical breakfasts include: pancakes, granola, fresh baked muffins, and of course, oatmeal. Lunches are usually sandwich affairs with salads or soups. Dinners include: chili dishes, pastas, curries, stir-fries, and the ever-popular paddle-pockets. Everyone helps in the preparation of most meals. Our Backpacking trips include many freeze dried meals to reduce the weight participants have to carry. Click here to view the sample canoe trip menu.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”What makes WSS different from other training organizations?”]A lot of what you need, you already have. Things like T-shirts, sunglasses, a bathing suit, a water bottle etc. You also need to bring your own toiletries including sun-block, and insect repellent.Some specialized things you might not have around include a dry bag (something to put your stuff into to stay dry), 1 liter water bottle, sleeping bag, a pair of nylon hiking boots or shoes, a carabiner, a rain suit, ground sheet, a 3/4 length ultra light inflatable mattress (optional), a bug shirt (optional), and a flashlight. For a more complete list, view our Packing List[/accordion]
[accordion title=”What is the difference between the lodge and camping accommodation packages?”]Young Adventurers trips have a maximum of 7 children and two guides. Other canoe trips have a maximum of eight trippers to two guides.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Is it safe? What kind of training do the guides have?”]Safety is always first. All of PaddleFoot’s guides complete an intensive pre-season training course specific to PaddleFoot’s programs. Guides are first aid certified by Wilderness Medical Associates, and some are Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians. On river trips, guides are certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians. Many guides are paddling instructors for ORCA . Expeditions carry state-of-the-art dual-signal satellite beacons or satellite phones. Visit our Safety and Standards page for more information about our safety standards and our quality norms.PaddleFoot trips have a high staff to tripper ratio, so individuals receive lots of attention around the campsite, on the trail and on the water! Besides the wealth of safety qualifications, our guides are chosen for their warmth, humour, and passion for the outdoors. For more information about our staff please visit Our Staff page.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”How do I prepare for a course?”]We have fun. These are adventure trips, so we explore the places we go to, be it by paddle or foot. Days usually begin early, and after a hearty breakfast, we pack up all our equipment and food for the day’s journey.Throughout the day we may encounter historic sites and artifacts. Wildlife is common on all our trips. We make side trips to interesting places like waterfalls, peaks, and springs. Some bring fishing gear (ask PaddleFoot about local fishing regulations). At our campsite in the afternoon, the group sets up tents, prepares the fire and dinner. We bring arts and crafts supplies along, and some bring musical instruments for the nightly campfire. While we pack a lot of fun activity into every day, our trips are really about the participants. We focus on communication and teamwork based on respect. Each day the group meets to “debrief” the daily events. Everyone has input into what they liked and didn’t like, and can make suggestions on how to improve trip life. [/accordion]
[accordion title=”What do we need to bring for a course? What is provided?”]PaddleFoot accepts personal and business cheques, Visa and Mastercard. A limited bursary program is available for youth trips. Contact us for more information.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”What’s the cancellation and Refund Policy?”]Full payment is due any on or prior to the first day of your trip/course. There will be no refunds within 30 days of the trip/course start date. If you cancel prior to 30 days before course start date you will receive a refund of all fees except the non-refundable deposit fee that was paid upon registration.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”How can I pay for a WSS Course?”]The PaddleFoot lodge is located near Dorset, Ontario. We are situated almost half way between Bracebridge and Huntsville, ON. Our full time offices are located at the lodge at the PaddleFoot basecamp. [/accordion]
[accordion title=”What kind of food is provided? What if I have a food allergy?”]The PaddleFoot lodge is located near Dorset, Ontario. We are situated almost half way between Bracebridge and Huntsville, ON. Our full time offices are located at the lodge at the PaddleFoot basecamp. [/accordion][/accordions]