We warned adventurers Qian T, Ramiro T, Elias B, Raymond Z, Pedran J, and Calvin B that the trip would be cold, there would be snow, rain and wind in their faces but on Friday they were ready to go. We packed into our canoes and set off down the Welland River watching for wildlife. The bald eagle who lives near the school watched us off and then it was ten kilometers of calm water, jumping fish who would bang into our paddles and break the surface right beside us. We go to Chippawa Creek Conservation Area 1 ½ hours later and quickly used team work to set up our camp. Concurrent activity saw supper being prepared (lasagna) while the fire was started, stopped, started, stopped, and finally started. The lasagna was great, the carefully protected birthday cake (thank you Lt Hancock) was great, and then we settled down into marshmallows, smores and perhaps trying to solve the world’s problems.

Morning brought very strong winds and light on and off again rain. Our overhead tarp kept us dry while Ramiro T cooked us up eggs and sausage while we filled up on hot cereal, yogurt and Raymond Z had enough coffee that his jittering nerves might come into play later. We hiked around the nearby lake, about 3km, the rain picked up hard and then slacked off as we then loaded into our canoes and set off. The wind gusts and slippery launch site made for interesting launches, but all canoes were on the water and headed in the right direction. Raymond Z and Qian T turned sideways to the waves and wind and the inevitable then happened. There was a high-pitched scream of “the water’s so cold,” and Raymond Z and Qian T slowly rolled into the cold water – packs, paddles and canoe quickly heading downstream. As a group we sent the swimmers to shore, gathered up the gear and waved good-bye to Capt Ness’s favourite cooler as it picked up speed in the wind.

The boys changed into dry clothes, gear and canoes were assembled and we then rode back to the academy at 80km/hr instead of paddling at the 8km/hr we managed on the way in.

The adventurers all enjoyed themselves. They learned a thing or two and we had a few laughs. Perhaps next time we’ll have better weather but probably not a better group than how well these fellows worked together.