5 reasons why you should cook over a campfire this summer

Campfires are a classic summer experience, especially here in Ontario. Who doesn’t love sitting around a fire, feeling warm and cozy with their loved ones? A huge part of what makes a campfire so fun is the food that goes along with it—think roasting marshmallows, making s’mores, or cooking a hot-dog on a stick.

But the campfire food isn’t all there is to get excited about. There are tons of other benefits to campfire cooking. Here are some of our favourite reasons why you should try campfire cooking this summer:

1. Because it’s part of our DNA

Humans have been eating around a campfire since the discovery of fire. Perhaps that’s why eating around a campfire feels so safe and familiar. We sit in a circle, reinforcing a sense of connection and equality. We open up and share stories—sometimes we even sing! Even silence feels comfortable when you’re staring into the fire.

2. Campfire cooking is for all ages

Who doesn’t get excited about a campfire? Kids of all ages love it: from the toddler that has to be coached to look but not touch, to the teenager who usually retreats to their bedroom or device. Everyone looks forward to it, everyone is willing to sit together, and everyone wants to help out.

What I love most about campfires is how they inspire adults to share childhood memories with their kids and to pass on traditions. I acutely recall, and now pass on to my boys, my father’s techniques for choosing and whittling the perfect weaner roasting stick.

3. It builds hands-on skills

These skills are not just for kids, but for adults as well. Making a campfire is a task that engages people of all ages because it is both challenging and playful at the same time. I’m constantly learning new things: I’m a competent fire maker, but no expert. I can manage dry wood and split kindling, but my aspirations are to learn to build a fire in the rain and, perhaps some day, with a hand-drill.

See if you can apply what you know about the physics of combustion, thermodynamics, and simple machines (splitting wood with an axe) to making a good fire. At Family Earth, we’ve been perfecting the construction and use of “Swedish candles,” a cooking campfire invented by the Swedish military that allows you to start cooking over a fire shortly after making it.

4. The food just tastes better

We’re serious! Maybe it’s the smoke, searing temperature, the special type of hunger you build up when exercising outdoors, or because our senses are heightened when in nature, but our chili at Family Earth is hands-down twice as good when made over a wood fire. Come try it for yourself at one of our Campfire Cooking workshops.

5. It gets you outside for longer

Spending time in nature is good for us physically and emotionally, and it strengthens our relationships with each other—and with our planet. When we spend time in nature, we feel more connected with the world around us, compelling us to protect Mother Earth.

Adding a campfire and a meal to the time you’re already spending outdoors makes the experience even more memorable and keeps you outdoors for longer. The fire keeps away the bugs and the evening chill, and it opens the door to nighttime experiences. Staying up late around the campfire is when my family watches the stars and delights in fireflies—we’ve even heard wolves howl.

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We hope these benefits inspire you to get outdoors with your family this summer, and to give campfire cooking a try!

A note on responsible campfires

Family Earth helps families engage in outdoor activities like campfire cooking in ways that reduce harm to the environment. Campfires are magical and can help people deepen their relationships with the natural world, but they need to be built responsibly. At Family Earth, we educate about fire safety and how to reduce any negative health and environmental impacts of campfires.

If you’d like to learn more about campfire safety and learn how to cook a delicious campfire meal, Family Earth is offering Campfire Cooking workshops all summer long on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Please visit our registration page to learn more and to book your spot: https://www.familyearth.earth/campfirecooking

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By Rochelle Johnston
Founder, Family Earth

This article was previously published on Family Earth’s website

Horseback Riding at Captiva Farms

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 wanted to be a cowboy. Perhaps it was growing up in Saskatchewan or watching a lot of John Wayne movies as a kid. I ended up working at a library. I love my job, but it still isn’t a cowboy. 

Luckily, I was able to explore my inner cowboy at Captiva Farms. The farm is about a thirty-five-minute drive north of Ottawa near Wakefield. The farm offers horseback riding for all different levels. Our family certainly fell into the beginner category. 

When we arrived on-site, we were greeted by three employees wearing cowboy hats and blue jeans. Looked like we were at the right place. After filling out all the waivers and forms, we were presented with our horses and led them to a training area. David’s horse was Santana, Sandy had Zoe and I was riding Cleo. 

We met Karine who gave us instructions on how to advance and stop the horses. We also learned how to turn the horses to the right and left. 

Now, it was showtime. Karine taught us how to mount the horses and with some assistance, David and Sandy were able to do so with ease. I would argue that Cleo was the largest of the three horses thus I needed a small set of stairs to mount Cleo. 

After some practice, we mastered stopping, turning and advancing. It was now time to hit the trail. Karine led in the front while Laura was behind us. Both guides were very outgoing and friendly. The scenery was stunning. We were treated to a pastoral landscape with jagged mountains providing a scenic backdrop. 

Karine shared that the plan was to leave the land undeveloped so people would have a beautiful view while doing their trail rides. 

Cleo was a pleasure to work with. She actually made me feel like I knew what I was doing. She did try to stop and eat grass but who could blame a horse for trying to get a free meal. David and Sandy also had a great experience with their horses. 

We travelled through varied terrain including tall grass and forest. My favourite was going through the forest. We went up several challenging uphills and descents. Nothing too extreme, just enough to get the adrenaline going. 

The guides provided plenty of assistance when we passed through muddy spots on the trail or close to trees. 

Soon enough, it was time to head back to Captiva Farms. I was frankly sad to leave Cleo. I totally get the bond that develops between a rider and their horse. I know Sandy and David felt the same. 

There is a good chance my inner cowboy will get a workout in the future at Captiva Farms. 

For more information about trail rides and everything offered at Captiva Farms visit, www.captivafarms.com.

Stephen and his family were provided with the experience for free but all views are his own.

Ziplining between Ontario and Quebec

The other week I got the chance to check out the new zipline between Ontario and Quebec, the first interprovincial zipline in Canada! Interzip Rogers opened on June 24th, and I was lucky to be invited to a media day and decided to sign up.

Where is Interzip located?

You can find the main offices at 40-Z, Jos-Montferrand street, in Gatineau. It is on the Zibi site, and there’s a lot of construction nearby. Participants are checked-in at this location. Street parking is available!

How do I get tickets?

Buy your tickets online and reserve your spot! It’s possible to do a same-day walk-in, but you could risk disappointment if they’re full. Cost is $39.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids 14 and under.

Can I bring my kids?

I brought my 11 year-old, who weighs 81 lbs. There’s no age restriction, but you have to weigh a minimum of 70 lbs (and side note: you can’t be over 275 lbs). My daughter was enthusiastic, but by the time we’d reached the top of the tower she was too scared to go. The staff brought her back down while I zipped across and then walked back to get her.

How does it work?

Once you get checked in you will be given a helmet and all your gear. You are then directed to where you need to walk to get to the tower, which requires crossing over the Chaudiere Bridge. It is a super easy walk (5-10 minutes) and you won’t get lost.

When you arrive at the tower you’re asked for your ticket, and then the operators explain how it will work. You’re instructed to walk up the tower in singles or pairs, and you need to give people time to get to each platform on the stairs before you move up (so that there are never more than 2 people on a set of a stairs at one time). One downside is that there was soooo much construction happening on the site that it was hard to hear all the instructions clearly. I just made sure to ask the staff at the top of the tower to repeat certain things to me.

At the top there are gates across the opening and you are tied in so that there’s no risk you’ll slip off and fall. The staff strap you in and there are two safety checks before you give the OK for them to press the button. The gates open and off you go! Once you arrive at the other side you return your equipment and head back to the car.

Is it scary?

I do not have a fear of heights but I was pretty scared walking up the tower. It was a windy day and the whole tower was moving slightly. But once I got to the top and got strapped in I felt really comfortable. And the zipline itself is smooth and not too fast, so I never felt scared. You’re going at a speed of about 40 km/h.

Was it worth it?

I’m definitely glad I did it, especially after I felt so nervous going up. It was a great adrenaline rush! One thing to be aware of is that the ride isn’t long - about 40 seconds. But the scenery is beautiful and I enjoyed looking out over the river and seeing the Parliament buildings. It’s a different experience from ziplining at other places where you’re perhaps in a more forested area and it takes more time (especially if you’re ziplining through a course with several different lines). I’ve only ever ziplined before in Mexico, and I’ve heard there are similar experiences here at Camp Fortune and Abraska.

I think Interzip is one of those “once in a lifetime” activities for locals and tourists alike!

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.