Brand new lightweight canoes ready for summer

Silver Lake has welcomed two new lightweight canoes to the waterfront.

The Nova Crafts were made possible by a donation from Kathleen Richter, a former Silver Lake camper and mother of a former camper and counsellor. She has fond memories of canoeing on Hidden Lake at SLMC.

Made in Canada, the new canoes will make for easier portages on Silver Lake’s outtrips this summer.

“These are the lightest canoes I’ve ever touched!” Assistant Director of Outtrips Shanah Hofer said when the canoes arrived in the spring.

Silver Lake has five overnight canoe trips scheduled this summer. Each adventure begins at camp to learn skills, connect with each other and prepare for the trip before heading out to the outtrip location.

Kicking off the outtripping season is the popular Young eXplorer Canoe for ages 9 to 12 from July 2 to 8 along the Saugeen River.  Campers a little bit older – 11 to 14 – will head to Massassauga Provincial Park on the Adventure eXplorer Canoe trip from July 16 to 22. Midway through the summer is the Teen eXplorer Canoe outtrip, for those 13 to 16 years old, from July 30 to Aug. 5.

Campers aged 13 to 16 who are experienced with outtrips can enjoy two weeks on the Senior eXplorer Canoe adventure from Aug. 13 to 26. The camp includes an eight-night, nine-day excursion on the French River.

Silver Lake is also looking forward to partnering with Camp Péniel for SLMC’s inaugural French-speaking outtrip to Québec, which is already full for registration. From Aug. 6 to 12, two Silver Lake staff, five SLMC campers and six Camp Péniel campers will explore the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, where they’ll also get the opportunity to rock climb. Silver Lakers will meet at 50 Kent Ave in Kitchener, Ont. before heading out on this trip.

Visit our Overnight Outtrips page to find out more about our canoe trip options.