Camping Trip: Voyageur Provincial Park

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

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The first thing you notice about Voyageur Provincial Park is that it’s a hidden gem. Located just inside the Ontario-Quebec border, Voyageur may not be the largest provincial park but it certainly packs a punch. A person can hike, camp, kayak, go to the beach and fish all in the same day.    

The first activity we wanted to try out was kayaking. Our son, David, loves all water sports and quickly paddled away. My wife, Sandy and I had a double kayak. The kayak was extremely stable and endured both Sandy and I trying to steer. We righted the ship and started to paddle in sync.  

The rental office where we got the kayaks is located on a sheltered bay. It was perfect for a couple of newbies like Sandy and I. Conditions were ideal with little wind and barely a cloud in the sky. By the time we caught up with David, he had already spotted two turtles and multiple frogs. Sandy and I took a much more leisurely pace than David and watched as he darted away. Our patience was rewarded as we spotted our first turtle hiding beneath a lily pad. We took multiple photos and enjoyed the moment.      

The weather was quite warm so we decided to return our kayaks and head to the beach. The beach was literally a two minute walk away. It was the perfect size. Families were enjoying the warm water, building sandcastles and sunbathing. The beach was not too full, meaning social distancing was not a problem. Sandy, David and I spent an hour or so alternating between relaxing in the water and working on our suntan. In my case, more like sunburn.  

Our relaxed lifestyle had built up an appetite so we had an impromptu picnic with delicious sandwiches we had brought from home.     

For our final activity, we hiked the Coureur des Bois trail. Like the park, the trail was not huge but there was a lot to see.   We started our walk by seeing a cute rabbit. It was hiding in the grass but David got a good photo.  Further along the trail, David was perched with his camera over a pile of leaves. He asked me if I could see the American toad. I said, “What is an American toad doing in Canada with COVID restrictions?”   David did not laugh at my dad humor. After looking closely, I did see the toad and marveled at David’s ability to spot animals.  

We had planned to go camping and even visited our campsite but David was feeling under the weather.  We had been looking forward to camping but thought it best to head back home.   

If you’re unsure or scared to try camping, Ontario Provincial Parks even has a learn to camp program where you can book time with a learn to camp ambassador. He/she will teach you basic skills like setting up a tent. The appointment is for thirty minutes and is not offered at every park. The learn to camp website also has many useful tips and videos online taking the fear out of camping.  

It should be noted during this time of COVID-19, parks are free to visit Monday - Thursday. It is best to check the park website to find the latest information. Also, many public libraries are offering park passes to borrow. For all information about Ontario Parks visit, www.ontarioparks.com.

Disclaimer: Stephen and his family were provided a Kayak rental from Ontario Parks. All opinions are his own.

35 things to do in Ottawa during a pandemic summer

This summer is different than others summers, but can we all agree it’s better than last summer!? Usually our 50 things to do in Ottawa post is getting tens of thousands of hits and many of us are out exploring and visiting places. This summer is different and you may fall into one of the following categories, or maybe you fall into all of them depending on the day.

• You’re going to stay close to home.

• You’re going to go out and about, but only on solo adventures.

• You’re ready to start testing the waters at attractions again or getting together with friends.

We’ve been reaching out to attractions in the area, talking to parents, and we’re getting ready to go and try out as many things as possible! We can give you a sense for what to expect, so that you can decide if the activity is right for you and your family.

We’ll be updating this post as we get more information, but here are 25 ideas and things to do during a pandemic summer in Ottawa (keep checking in for updates!).

Staying close to home

Camping in the back yard - stay home and set up a tent in the backyard or even in the living room (using your personal judgement on what is safe for your children at their age)

Have fun with a splash at home (without a pool) - we’ve put together some ideas for games and ways to stay cool in the backyard this summer.

Reading in a hammock

Visit the National Gallery from home - the Gallery has a virtual tour that you can do from the comfort of your home (though they’re also opening up soon too!)

Create cards and art for seniors in isolation - we have 3 local businesses accepting drop offs and you can create some art while brightening up someone’s day!

Read all the books! The Ottawa Public Library is open again (with some restrictions) and they are participating in the TD Summer Reading Club and running a summer reading draw.

Experiment with making new drinks - we found some fun things to try in the archives (like making your own gingerale or watermelon juice) but you can also just Google or Pinterest ideas and experiment with fun and interesting drinks that you made yourselves.

Take an online class or online camp - there are lots around the city including folks who are running small workshops (like learning German through art run by a local artist) and camps on their own, to bigger organizations like Outschool that run hundreds of classes every week.

Take an online fitness class - you can support local small businesses that have brought their online classes online, like Salsa Babies and Fitmom Ottawa.

Try learning a new craft - maybe cross stitch which we created a tutorial for!

Solo adventures

Fallingbrook Waterfall

Fallingbrook Waterfall - did you know there is a really cool and accessible waterfall in Orleans?

Go for ice cream - we’ve listed some great east end and west end options to go out for an iced treat this summer.

Go exploring - there are lots of sites to be seen without going into any attractions or interacting with strangers. We’re going to be updating our challenge from last summer soon, but for now, go and check out some ideas for places where you can take fun photos around town!

Go on a hike - we’ve listed 5 family friendly hiking trails in the area on the blog.

Go camping - Ontario provincial parks are open for overnight and day visits. Facilities such as showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools will remain closed for the season.

Child in a small sit on kayak

Go kayaking or stand up paddle boarding - there are relatively inexpensive options for child sized kayaks and SUPs and they pick it up really young and easily. You can then take them out onto bodies of the water in the city or find some lakes to visit to explore.

Mer Bleu - there are all kinds of walking paths at Mer Bleu for you to explore. You may even get a chance to feed some sweet winged visitors! (though that may depend on the time of year)

Petrie Island - go for a dip and explore the grounds at Petrie Island. There are times when the beach can get quite crowded so just watch for that when you decide to visit.

Out and about

Arbraska Lafleche is open again for both their caves tours and aerial courses. They have special Covid-19 procedures including needing to reserve ahead of time, smaller group sizes and they aren’t accepting cash. They’re also allowing for cleaning and rest time for equipment and waivers will be signed digitally on your own devices.

Brockville Aquatarium will likely open soon as the lockdown restrictions ease. In the meantime, you can check out their virtual tour. For in-person visits you must book online and it is now more of a guided tour experience than an immersive one. Guests most go through a screening process on arrival and wear a mask.

Check back soon to find out when the Canada Agriculture Museum is opening. They have Covid-19 procedures in place including limited numbers, required use of masks, directional signage, and washing and sanitizing stations.

Check back soon to find out when the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum is opening. They have Covid-19 procedures in place including limited numbers, required use of masks, directional signage, and washing and sanitizing stations.

Chute Coulonges - Chutes Coulonge is open for hiking, ziplining and obstacle courses. They have no Covid-19 information on their web site but we’ve heard that it was quite quiet for those visiting and that distancing wasn’t a concern.

City wading pools - the city has opened their 53 wading pools for the summer with reduced admissions numbers to allow for physical distancing. Check out the city’s site for more information.

Check back soon to find out when the Diefenbunker will open! You can book online or buy tickets in person, however numbers are limited so you may need to wait outside if people are in the museum longer than expected. You must wear a mask while in the museum. Although you cannot touch or engage with any of the exhibits, there is still lots to see and learn about!

Eco-Odyssey - They are open! We heard last summer that they’re signing people in one at a time and staff is behind glass, workers kept their distance and there was lots of hand sanitizer and cleaning products. This helped visitors feel confident that things were being kept clean.

Flying Squirrel - Flying Squirrel is temporarily closed, but should be re-opening this summer as lockdown restrictions ease. Check back soon!

Toddler at a splash pad

kids at the diefenbunker by a sign that says “out of bounds to all male personnel”

Little Ray’s Reptiles - Little Ray’s is open for small group private tours. Everyone wears masks but you may want to state ahead of time how comfortable you are with how close staff get to you and the kids so everyone is on the same page.

Marked - located in Carleton Place Marked has a range of activities including obstacle courses, water guns, axes throwing, batting cages and paintball. They’ve opened with Covid19 protocols including booking in advance, online payments and waivers. Lara are her family recently visited the obstacle course.

Mont Cascades - Mont Cascades is now open and have measures in place, including masks for staff if they can’t be distanced from you, wiping down the handles on tubes between each ride, and having people wait at a distance in lines. They are also letting people know it’s better to arrive changed and avoid the change rooms and that you will have to go wait in your car if there are downpours instead of the club house. (We’re going to be visiting soon and will update with first hand information)

Parc Omega - The park is open! Last summer Misty headed to the park with her kids and found it very safe. You are in your vehicle for much of the trip, and when you’re out walking there’s enough space for social distancing. Strict cleaning measures for the bathrooms were in place.

Pirate Life - Pirate Life is limiting 10 people per trip and has zones to keep groups apart (though the groups aren’t always more than 6 feet apart). They require all staff and audience to wear masks. They are also sanitizing commonly touched surfaces between every cruise. (Check out our blog post on our Covid summer visit)

Youth zip lining at arbraska lafleche

Saunders Farm is opening this summer for their Maze Days and Campfires. Book your tickets online!

Splash pads - the city has opened most of their splash pads for the season if you want to get out and cool down.

Wesley Clover Parks Drive In Theatre - take in a movie at the drive in. You can stay safely in your vehicle the entire time or have some interaction with others if you head to the bathrooms. Guest blogger Stephen visited last summer and shared his experience on the blog.

Zoë’s zoo: A tale of becoming a small business owner at age 11

Zoë and one of her Geckos perched atop her head with its tail in her face.

I have always been interested in math and science experiments (that one was unfortunate for my parents). But one thing that I have always loved is animals. Lately I have been interested in Crested Geckos! I convinced my parents to get me one as an early birthday present. Then I got a second one and then it kind of, somehow turned into 7. Gradually, 3 of them got pregnant and now I have several babies!

At the moment I have 15 crested geckos in total!

Why I love Crested Geckos

Two geckos, one in a child’s hand that is larger (Dad) and one that is much smaller on a child’s arm (hatchling)

Let me tell you why I love Crested Geckos so much! They are amazing pets for many reasons. For example, they are easy to feed and take care of, they do not require much attention AND geckos are absolutely adorable! I love their sticky feet and how they lick their eyeballs (because they don’t have eyelids and lick the eyes to keep them moist).

Crested Geckos are one of the easiest geckos to care for.

Let me tell you what you would need:

First, a habitat! Obviously they can't just roam around in your room, so you will have to buy a terrarium. A baby (up to approx 30 grams), can live in a 10 gallon terrarium. An adult crested gecko will need a 20 gallon tank. For decor, they will need a hide (like a rock cave, for example), some branches for climbing and real or fake foliage. You can decorate as much as you like. Be creative!

Brown gecko upside down in its habitat perched on a log in the middle of shedding its skin

Secondly, Crested Geckos don’t get lonely. That means you can handle them, but you don’t have to. Also, they are happy to live alone. If you decide to cohabitate them, make sure you don’t house 2 males together or they will fight.

Interesting fact, Crested Geckos will shed every month or so and they eat their own shed!!

Lastly, let’s talk food! Crested Geckos enjoy live crickets as a treat, but don’t worry, if that’s not your thing, they can live entirely on powdered gecko food. Spray the tank with water twice a day, and that’s it!

My geckos mean the world to me, but as much as I would like to, I can’t keep them all. I started selling some of the babies, and that is how Zoë's Zoo was created! Now, I even have my own website www.zoeszooreptiles.com

Tiny brown gecko perched on an index finger

So what’s it like being a small business owner at age 11?

Well…

It can be stressful at times but overall being a business owner is fun,  exhilarating and just pure awesome!

If you are interested in owning your own Crested Gecko, do your research, ask your parents and feel free to visit my website! There are also many other reputable breeders around the country that can be found online.

3 photo collage of a brown gecko climbing over the top of the terrarium with the words “Yes! A chance to escape!” a second image still peaking over the side with the words “Don’t even think of stopping me!” and a final photo with the gecko perched to the outside of the terrarium with the words “FREEDOM!”

Keep Calm and Game On with the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite books for ages 3 to 13. This month’s post was submitted by Sarah Godding and Kristina Roudiy, Children’s Program Assistants at the Alta Vista Branch.

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Games can bring us together. They can unite us with a common goal: VICTORY! They can open our world, bringing in new skills, habits, people and places. Games can encourage us to be better than we were yesterday; to jump higher and run faster. We can even escape into games at times when other areas of our lives may be challenging. But the most important part about games is that we PLAY them. When we play a game, we are moving beyond an outcome and we allow ourselves to enjoy the moment. Below are some stories about games; how to play them, how they’re created, and how they have shaped the lives of those who play them. GAME ON!

1- Picture book : Fun and games : everyday play / Celeste Cortright. Published in 2020. For ages 3-6

In this colorful rhyming picture book, we meet a group of children playing games from around the world. Each double page features a game or a toy, for example: a dollhouse, dominos, a tangram (a 7-piece square puzzle) and spinning tops. Children might recognize a familiar game (hide-and-seek!) and/or (re)discover an activity they’re less familiar with. The end of the book provides a bit more information about the cultural origins of the games. This book will inspire children to have fun on their own or with friends!

2- Picture book : We all play : Kimêtawânaw / Julie Flett. Published in 2021. For ages 2-7

Julie Flett is a Cree-Métis author and illustrator, known for her works in children’s literature centered around the life and cultures of Indigenous Canadians. The Ottawa Public Library has her children’s books in English, in French and in Cree. This is her latest title. It shows beautiful illustrations of animals at play: velvety brown rabbits jumping across the page; chirping birds; a fox approaching a turtle near the edge of the page; swimming whales... And then a group of small children appears, leaping, jumping and lying on their backs in tall grass. "We play too! kimêtawânaw mîna" they say. Which is based on the Cree teaching of wahkohtowin, interconnectedness and play. The book shows animals and humans embracing play in similar ways (snakes slide, while children slide... down a snowhill!) and ends with everyone “slowly, side by side” falling asleep. Also includes a glossary at the end, with the Cree names of the animals, all of whom are from “Turtle Island” (North America).

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book.

3- Early Reader : Splat the cat : the name of the game / Amy Hsu Lin. Published in 2012. For ages 5-7

Splat the Cat is a well-loved children’s book character. He appears in 18 different Early Reader books, enabling children to read about his adventures all by themselves! In this book, Splat the Cat has planned a really fun playdate with his friends Spike and Plank. Except that things start to go wrong for him! He loses every single game... and can’t seem to find a good hide-and-seek spot in the house. How will the playdate end? Will Splat end up having fun with the others or remain cranky? Read the book to find out!

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-audiobook, and as a French Early Reader called : Je lis avec Splat : On joue?

4- Illustrated book : Unbeatable Betty : the first female Olympic track & field gold medalist / Allison Crotzer Kimmel. Published in 2020. For ages 5-9

This picture book makes you travel back in time and meet the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field. Betty Robinson was only 16 years old, in 1911, when she won the gold in Amsterdam for the 100-yard dash. But a few years later, while training for the 1932 Olympics, a plane crash left her in a wheelchair with a crushed left leg that was shorter than the right. Doctors told her she would never walk again... What they didn’t know was that Betty had great determination, not only to walk but to run again. Read this book to find out if she eventually healed, competed in other Olympic games or won more gold! A great story of athletics, feminism, resilience and teamwork. Young readers intrigued by the Summer Olympics in Tokyo (launching July 23rd, 2021!) will be inspired by this biography and will feel encouraged to also pursue their dreams. In the same style, we also recommend this brand new picture book biography about tennis players Serena and Venus Williams.

5- Illustrated book : The boy who thought outside the box / Marcie Wessels. Published in 2020. For ages 6-10

This is the story of “The Father of videogames”, Ralph Baer, who was born in 1922 and began playing with electronics as a child. His Jewish family lived in Nazi-controlled Germany and eventually emigrated to the United States. There, Ralph pursued his passion for learning, building and inventing. He built radios out of spare parts while doing his military service, and then started working for NASA.  In this book, you’ll learn what inventions Ralph contributed to over the years. He did face rejection and meet people who did not believe in his inventions, but that didn’t prevent this passionate inventor from eventually releasing the first ever home game console. A fun portrait of a lesser-known inventor whose work has had a tremendous influence on our modern-day world. We recommend it to young (and older!) video game fans.   

6- Into the game / Miguel Diaz Rivas. Published in 2020. For ages 9-12

7- FGTeeV saves the world! / Miguel Diaz Rivas. Published in 2021. For ages 9-12

This is a new graphic novel series based a real gaming family YouTube channel. In these two volumes, you get to know the whole family through their videogame adventures: Duddy, Moomy, Lexi, Mike, Chase, and Shawn. In the first volume, the parents get accidentally sucked into a video game, so the four children jump into the console to rescue them. Except that a giant crab seems to follow them everywhere... What is the link between a crab and their missing parents?! In the second volume, the family brings their game controller to the store to get it fixed, after the game they were playing froze. What they didn’t expect was that a wrong click on the controller would cause all the characters from the Zombie Battles game to show up in the real world! The family will now have to fight villains and their own avatars in order to save the world.

8- Non-fiction book : The book of dares : 100 ways for boys to be kind, bold, and brave / Ted Bunch & Anna Marie Johnson Teague. Published in 2021. For ages 9-12

This book is a collection of 100 original dares that will help boys expand their worldview, inspire more respect toward girls and non-binary kids, and generally develop a healthier idea of manhood. The introduction does specify not to try and do the dares all at once, but to work through them slowly! Here are a few examples:

·       Dare to include girls in sports

·       Dare to ask a friend to teach you something they're good at

·       Dare to watch a movie about someone who's different from you

·       Dare to be a leader

Being a boy isn't just about building forts or beating the high score on a video game or being tough. It's about being true to yourself, treating everyone fairly, and helping those around you. The text thus covers a wide range of topics, such as toxic masculinity, stereotypes, emotions and media consumption. The book wraps up with a glossary and a resource page for parents entitled “Letter to friends & family.”

9- Chapter book : One last shot / John David Anderson. Published in 2020. For ages 8-12

For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose love for competitive sports Malcolm has never shared. That is, until twelve-year-old Malcolm discovers miniature golf. Maybe it's the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved... or the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course... or maybe the slushies at the snack bar? But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it's a sport his dad can't possibly obsess over. Or so Malcolm thinks! Soon, he is signed up for lessons and entered in tournaments. Malcom hopes that if he can win the tournament, his parents might reconcile. Along the way, he finds unexpected friends at the local course, including Lex who helps him navigate the ache of divorced parents. The book is divided into 18 chapters, one for each hole of the championship game. As in his previous books, the author chose to blend a tough topic with humour, so you’ll find yourself cheering and laughing along with Malcom. An excellent story for middle school readers.

*This title is also available at the Ottawa Public Library as an e-book and an e-audiobook. Enjoy!

10- Non-fiction book :  A kid’s guide to fandom : exploring fan-fic, cosplay, gaming, podcasting, and more in the geek world! / Amy Ratcliffe. Published in 2021. For ages 10-13 

Our love of games can really take hold of us. It can usher in feelings of passion and devotion. It can become a source of culture and community! Simply put, being a fan can be a big deal! This is a lovely guide to help young enthusiasts navigate and understand the role of the fan. Just as being a player of a game teaches you and helps you grow, so too can our appreciation for a game and its players. This passion can expand our world and challenge us. From comic book collecting to video games, there are so many ways to share and celebrate with the things that you love.

By the way, did you know that July-August 2021 is all about Summer Reading Club (SRC) Fun? View the Library’s promotional video. Visit this OPL blog post to find out about the Youth Library Programs being offered, as well as ways to participate in TD SRC. Visit your local OPL Branch to receive a free Summer Reading Club Kit. Have a great Summer!

Ottawa Travel: A trip to Cornwall

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

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I have always liked visiting Cornwall. Lamoureux Park with the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop is, in my opinion, one of the best parks in Ontario. Also, the fact that Cornwall has one of the highest ratios of pizza joints doesn’t hurt either.

For our most recent trip to Cornwall, we decided to try out a few new activities. In recent years, Cornwall has made major improvements in their cycling infrastructure. This has included the City of Cornwall bike rentals.

We arrived in the city and headed down to Marina 200. Besides doubling as the city marina, it was also the location of the bike rentals. Cornwall has an extensive network of bike paths along its waterfront. We picked up our bikes and headed west along the trail to Lamoureux Park.  

The park seems to be the meeting place for all Cornwallians. We came across a huge playground and splash pad that would have been perfect for our son, David, a few years ago. We also saw a group of high school seniors having an impromptu graduation celebration.    

Biking further west, we were treated to spectacular views of the Cornwall canal and the St. Lawrence River. There were information plaques explaining the history of the region. We also saw abundant wildlife including a Great Blue Heron.

We were starting to get hungry so we headed back to return our bikes. Since the pandemic started, our family has tried to support local restaurants and businesses. I was happy to see Cornwall has a vibrant downtown with many locally owned stores and restaurants.    

We had read great things online about the Truffles Burger Bar so we decided to check it out.  It was our first time sitting outside on a patio in a year and a half. The restaurant did not disappoint. We started off with a delicious plate of calamari. Staying true to the name of the restaurant, we all ordered hamburgers and loved them. It felt good to be enjoying the simple pleasure in life of going to a restaurant and having a great meal.  

After finishing our meal, we took a stroll down main street. We came across a store that looked too delicious to pass up. Happy Popcorn had an array of different flavors of popcorn. They also had a display of retro candies - some that I had not seen since my childhood.  

I had the chance to speak to the co-owner of Happy Popcorn,  Bill Halman. “We started the Happy Popcorn company because our son, Jack, was diagnosed on the autism spectrum,” said Halman. “We wanted a place for him to work in the future.  We also employ four other individuals who have recognized disabilities. We want to be a place of inclusion and most importantly, fun!”

We could not leave without getting a bag of movie theatre and cheddar-flavoured popcorn.

For our final activity, we checked out Archies Family Golf Centre. From friends,  I had heard Archies was an institution in Cornwall. It is well-known for its golf course, driving range and mini-putt. Perhaps even more so than golf, Archies is famous for it’s ice cream shop. We played a round of mini-golf then headed over for an ice cream. David and Sandy chose the Moose Tracks while I got a bit funky and opted for the coconut.

Cycling, hamburgers, popcorn and ice cream - not a bad way to start the summer.  

As restrictions are lifted,  further attractions will open. These include the Cornwall Community museum,  Rush Hour escapes,  Cornwall Food Tours, and Boatingery (kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental). It’s best to check their website for full hours and opening details.  

For further tourism information about Cornwall, visit www.cornwalltourism.com

Disclaimer: Stephen’s bike rentals and meal at Truffles were covered by Cornwall Tourism. All opinions are his own.