Teen Fun at an Ottawa Blackjacks Game

I am a fan of all sorts of sports. I always keep up with the NHL drafts and watched the Copa America earlier this summer. Because of this interest, I love watching games in person. 

When it comes to basketball, though, the nearest NBA games are in Toronto. Fortunately, there exists a Canadian league, the CEBL. Thanks to this, I recently got to see some more local talent at a game between the Ottawa Blackjacks and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Ottawa.

We arrived at Lansdowne Park in the evening, with restaurants booming with business and a vibrant atmosphere. After we passed through security and to our seats, we watched the Blackjacks warm up while music was playing. After a bit, the national anthem played, and the game began.

Like all basketball, it was fast-paced back and forth on the court, with the enthusiastic Ottawa crowd cheering whenever we got a point and jeering during penalties against us. You could especially feel the admiration of the crowd whenever an impressive play was made. The second period ended on a nailbiter, with Ottawa and Scarborough neck and neck in score. 

At halftime, I went to get some popcorn and soda before heading back to my seat. The game went on, and while the Blackjacks gradually lost the advantage, the crowd remained supportive and energetic. It was nice seeing all the capital spirit. 

While Ottawa unfortunately lost in a final score of 92-79, I still had a great time supporting a team from close to home. All in all, it was a great evening and a perfect experience for teens interested in sports from the Capital region. 

There will also be many more home games in the 2025 season starting in May of next year, with early bird season tickets available until August 16. For more information, click here. 

When it comes to basketball, though, the nearest NBA games are in Toronto. Fortunately, there exists a Canadian league, the CEBL. Thanks to this, I recently got to see some more local talent at a game between the Ottawa Blackjacks and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Ottawa.

We arrived at Lansdowne Park in the evening, with restaurants booming with business and a vibrant atmosphere. After we passed through security and to our seats, we watched the Blackjacks warm up while music was playing. After a bit, the national anthem played, and the game began.

Like all basketball, it was fast-paced back and forth on the court, with the enthusiastic Ottawa crowd cheering whenever we got a point and jeering during penalties against us. You could especially feel the admiration of the crowd whenever an impressive play was made. The second period ended on a nailbiter, with Ottawa and Scarborough neck and neck in score. 

At halftime, I went to get some popcorn and soda before heading back to my seat. The game went on, and while the Blackjacks gradually lost the advantage, the crowd remained supportive and energetic. It was nice seeing all the capital spirit. 

While Ottawa unfortunately lost in a final score of 92-79, I still had a great time supporting a team from close to home. All in all, it was a great evening and a perfect experience for teens interested in sports from the Capital region. 

There will also be many more home games in the 2025 season starting in May of next year, with early bird season tickets available until August 16. For more information, click here. 

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. David received free toclets to experience this activity but all thoughts are his own.

Rafting on Rouge River with Propulsion Rafting

It is now well into summertime in Ottawa. meaning it's time to squeeze out as many warm weather activities as possible before we return to the nine months of cool Canadian weather.

As soon as I wrapped up exams, one activity in particular was on my mind - rafting. With rough but refreshing waves, forested scenery and a healthy dose of adrenaline, this is the perfect summer activity for adventurous teens. I recently spent an afternoon on the rapids of Propulsion Rafting. 

We arrived at Propulsion rafting shortly after lunchtime. Driving in, we could see a fleet of rafts from the morning tour bouncing in the rapids; we later learned that the tide was particularly high that day, so our experience would be very intense. We were early, but luckily, the site had a pool and hot tub for us to pass the time.

When it was time to depart, my friend and I, along with the seven other people in the raft, were suited with lifejackets, helmets and paddles. Our guide, Phil, gave our group the safety instructions associated with the trip. Once that was done, we boarded the raft and began paddling out.

As soon as we were off the shore, our raft was hit with heavy waves. We drove our oars into the water and got a hang of the motions. It would largely be on-the-job training as we quickly got to our first series of rapids.

The rounds of waves became taller and taller until it appeared that a wall of water blocked our way forward. As we heeded Phil’s calls for heavy paddling, I held on tight, with the raft sharply rising and falling like a spooked bull! After one final splash that threw everyone a meter backward, we emerged from the first trial with two fewer people than we started with. 

Fortunately, those who ended up in the water floated safely, but not so calmly, back to our raft. We stayed in the area for a few moments to pose for pictures and help any other rafts that lost occupants before continuing down the river.

At a relatively calm patch of water, Phil let us all jump off and swim around. On that particular day, the Rouge River was delightfully warm, giving a moment to relax and appreciate the green  hills. We then practiced an aquatic pull up to get back in the raft before heading to the next series of rapids with the ominous name of “slice n’ dice”. 

This next patch of waves was equally intense but longer than the first, with the front of the raft getting drenched in waves and the back constantly being catapulted into the air. We took a break on the shoreline after finishing the rapids, heading back out to retrieve some people whose raft had capsized. 

We paddled on, heading towards the climactic set of rapids- the washing machine. In this set, we paddled even harder than before, with Phil quickly adjusting instructions to maneuver the waves. While it definitely felt like the raft could tip over, this was more of an exhilarating than scary thought as I had seen the security measures in place. We finally emerged from the rapids and stopped on shore. There, we hauled the raft onto a truck along with other rafts and took a hike to the final stretch of the journey. 

We got back into the raft and took a leisurely paddle all the way to the Ottawa River. Finally, we landed on a beach, got on a school bus and returned to the center, where we got our photos and relaxed after an exciting day.

For an exhilarating experience, check out Propulsion Rafting near Calumet, Quebec. They offer a variety of packages for rafting, camping and sportyaking. Facilities on land include a pool, hot tub, sports field, outdoor chalet and indoor bar. Prices vary based on age and package. For more information, click here.

For most packages, participants need to be over the age of 12, weigh a minimum of 41 kg and a maximum of 135kg, and have good health and basic swimming skills. Please check each package to see if there are any other requirements or conditions.

David received free passes to experience this activity but all thoughts are his own. Photo credit goes to Propulsion Rafting/ Mads Modeweg.

Visiting and climbing in the Laurentians - Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes

Ottawa is lucky enough to be close to a mountain range- the Laurentians. Whether it's skiing at Mt Tremblant in the winter, or hiking in the summer, many people in the capital region visit the area at one point in the year. I love these mountains, as they offer a whole new range of activities. I recently went to Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes near St. Agathe des Monts. 

When we arrived at Tyroparc in the morning, the first thing I saw was the obstacle course for kids. This consists of a series of ziplines and climbing ropes that towers over the center. In the backdrop, I could see the green Laurentians with a few cliffs of exposed white Canadian shield. This is where I would be climbing. I met our guide, got strapped in, and began hiking to the destination. 

After a short uphill walk, we arrived at the Via Ferrata- a long cable pathway along the side of a cliff with small protruding metal steps on which to grip your feet. We attached our harnesses, and began the climb. 

I quickly got the hang of navigating the cable, and enjoyed the quick problem solving of looking for places to put my hands to keep moving. As I looked down, I saw the trees getting increasingly distant as we ascended, still feeling extremely confident in my harness. Eventually, we reached an altitude at which I could see the obstacle course in the distance, as well as the highway, and even a nearby town. 

We stopped for a few moments to fully observe the beauty of the Laurentians. I enjoyed seeing the familiar yet always pleasant view while holding on to a mountain itself, it somehow felt more interactive. We then continued the tour, climbing ladders and walking on thin wooden planks as bridges, before reaching the top. 

It was now time to unbuckle our harnesses and continue hiking even higher, to the first of two mega ziplines. When we arrived, I strapped on top of the platform, and was released, rapidly flying through the air with no visible end. As always, I made sure to take in my surroundings while rapidly cutting through the wind around me. When I made it to the end, it was a quick hike to the next platform, where I did it again. 

On the second zipline, many people opted for the tandem option, making it fun for friends and couples. Once I reached the bottom, we thanked the staff at Tyroparc and went to the hotel, spending a nice evening in the town of St. Agathe des Monts. 

The next morning, it was time to visit another elevated sightseeing spot- Sentier des Cimes, a treetop boardwalk. We arrived at the place, and noticed many old buildings. It turns out that Sentier des Cimes is built on the site of a fish farm from the 1930s, and has a museum dedicated to its history. We checked that out after finishing the trail. 

We then went to the first tower, which led us to the wooden trail, elevated above the forest and offering nice views. It was around a one kilometer uphill climb, with no steps and an elevator allowing for full wheelchair accessibility. Along the way, we saw many birds and even a deer! We then arrived at the highlight of the walkway- a 40 meter high panoramic tower.

This tower is essentially an elevating coil of the walkway, remaining wheelchair accessible as you walk in circles to ascend. We did this, and enjoyed the increasingly wide views of the mountains. Along the way, we passed some equipment that is reserved for LA-HAUT, an 35 minute aerial acrobatic show that takes place inside the tower every morning and evening until mid September. This is one of the most unique uses of the panoramic tower, and offers one of the only circus shows with fresh air and mountainous scenery. 

Finally, we reached the top of the tower, where we slowly walked around to get as many photos as possible. There is also a net in the center of the platform with nothing between it and the ground. Naturally, me and many younger children excitedly walked onto this mesh of ropes, with hesitant parents following. Once we had finished taking a final look at the Laurentians, we walked all the way back, where we finished off the day by checking out the fish museum.

All in all, we had a great time visiting the region that so many Ottawa residents limit to Mt. Tremblant. I would highly recommend Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes for capital teens and families.

For a great experience in the Laurentians this summer, check out Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes. Tyroparc offers various packages offering combinations of the ziplines, via ferrata, hiking and aerial obstacle course. Most of these remain available in the winter, and also include snowmobiling and skiing. Sentier des Cimes costs between $21-31 depending on age for a one day pass, and also offers various combo packages and the high flying show. 

The return of Puppets Up in Almonte means family fun has a few strings attached

Almonte’s famous Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival is back again, bringing family-friendly entertainment to the small town’s charming streets August 10 and 11.

Day passes (available online until August 9) are only $20 for kids 12 and under or $30 for anyone 13+ and give you access to as many of the 13 shows taking place across six venues as you can fit into your schedule.

Families also won’t want to miss the daily puppet parade, roaming street entertainment, the children’s craft tent or Le Jardin des Petites Âmes, an immersive experience for kids 6 and younger.

With talented performers coming from across North America, there are performances perfect for any family, whether you’re drawn to the bright colours and playful energy of Rock the Arts Puppets’ “Be Pozzy!” or Humpty Dumpty Puppet Theatre, or you prefer the spellbinding majesty of Tanglewood Marionettes’ “The Dragon King” or Puzzle Theatre’s two shows.

(A complete list of shows, including recommended ages and notes on accessibility and sensory considerations, can be found on the Puppets Up! website).

Ticket prices go up at the door so your best bet is to buy online and start planning your visit today!

Outerbridge Magic

An evening with my 12 (almost 13) year old is a special event… but what do we do with that time? It’s a challenging task to find a suitable activity with a tween that isn’t too childish but also isn’t too boring.

Enter: Outerbridge Magic - Mysteries of the Keyhole House, a spooky, true-story-based production mixed with magic, illusions, and a little bit of dancing, too.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. M and I arrived in Carleton Place (about a 50 minute drive from our south Ottawa home) at about 7pm, and parked on the street near the Town Hall (parking is free for 2 hours, which is perfect).

The theatre was a striking space that combined old fashioned details with modern elements. Ornate chairs with velvet cushions provided a welcome and comfortable seat for patrons. The smell of wood polish aged floorboards gave some church vibes; the balcony spoke to the present day with an impressive array of lighting and sound boards.

We grabbed seats right at the foot of the large, sloped stage; so close we could see the shuffle of feet beyond the heavy velvet curtains as the crew readied the props. A slide show played as people filed in, showing us pictures and names of the previous owners of The Keyhole House, while boogie-woogie music seemed to crackle out of an invisible phonograph somewhere. The whole scene managed to be cosy and a little eerie.

The show itself was not just magic and illusion, but wove in the plot of Ted and Marion Outerbridge and how they came to live in a haunted house in Smiths Falls: the Keyhole House. As the two worked to restore the house to its original beauty, they had one mysterious encounter after another, and found artefacts like keys, clippings, and hankerchiefs from long ago. 

As the intrigue unfolded, we were treated to a host of experiences that enhanced and enriched the storyline. It was clear from the audience’s reaction that Ted and Marion were no amateurs; they awed us time and again throughout the show. 

There were sleight-of-hand manoeuvres, mentalism and prediction tricks, close-up magic, parlour magic, and some big, impressive, full-stage feats. I looked around during one such act and saw that the entire audience, my daughter included, was staring in open-mouthed anticipation, waiting for the resolution of the scene.

On the drive home I got the review from the tween: overall, a good show, and “not so long that my butt fell asleep,” (which is, of course, an important feature of any evening entertainment). The most impressive tricks bookended the show, in M’s opinion, and the pantomime (done by Marion, a former Hollywood dancer), was “a little cringe” in places, but did not lack for its entertainment value. The creepy dolls found in the house were M’s least favourite part, but she was glad that the show had a lighter tone to it that prevented the spookiness from being outright scary.

Those interested in seeing the show should check it out - this upcoming weekend there are multiple shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets available through Eventbrite.

TL/DR

A fun night out for older kids, tweens and teens that’s not dull for parents. Some cheesiness in the storytelling, but your kid will not be able to feign disinterest at the magic and illusions the duo pull off. 

Age range/scary factor: The show writeup says minimum age 5, but my 12 year old was a bit freaked out. Scariest part is talk and pantomime of (friendly) spirits haunting a house. A couple of creepy-ish dolls. Nothing overtly jump-scary, violent, sweary, or inappropriate.

Cost: ~$27 per ‘youth’ ticket (age 25 and under), $50 general admission.

Running time: 2 hours, including a short intermission

Location: Carleton Place Town Hall, 175 Bridge Street

Cool-teen factor: Not bad. Ted is charismatic and has a performer’s sense of reading the crowd well. Some of the pantomime and dancing done by Marion feels a little out of place (my daughter was mildly embarrassed by this but I, the grownup, thought it was awesome).

Good to know: It’s cold in the theatre; bring a sweater or buy some long-sleeved merch! No drinks or snacks available to purchase, so bring your own. Lots of audience participation - expect you might get called on to help with a trick!

Jen is a Mum of 4 and an Ottawa business owner living in the National Capital. She received two complimentary tickets to the show, but all views are her own.