Blog on a Log
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Ask The Experts: Snowshoeing with the Family
We get asked for advice A LOT! At this time of year snowshoeing is a pretty hot topic, so we asked our Thunder Bay store manager (and mother of two young snowshoers), to answer one of our most common questions:
At what age can kids start snowshoeing?
There are a lot of factors you could consider, but for me the answer is simple, “as soon as they are independently walking and running!” Both of my boys were 'snowshoeing' at about 2 years old. I use air quotes, only because at this age these excursions were not what I recognized as snowshoeing. Our first trips were short, simple trips that didn't take us far from home. In fact, we were in our own back yard, and our adventures often took us just down the back lanes of our neighbourhood. The most important thing at this stage was for them to have fun! The mounds of snow at the end of the unploughed lane-ways turned out to be the most exciting parts of our adventures and soon the boys would be sliding down these mini-mountains using their snowshoes as tiny toboggans.
Tip #1: Don't make plans
While we didn't cover much distance, spontaneous mountaineering up snow banks was more fun than just trekking though the back lane. Plus, it keeps the sense of adventure fresh while developing essential snowshoeing skills. Unplanned adventures can be so much fun, they won’t even know they’re learning!
From there our outings got a little bit longer: visits to the tree farm, Mission Marsh Conservation Area, never anywhere too far. Seeing as our outings were still fairly short-lived, it didn't make sense to drive for longer than we would actually play.
Tip # 2: Let them roam
I try not to have too many rules as they become hard to remember for little ones. Our big one: stay within sight of mommy. This let them roam off the beaten path – but not too far.
I found very quickly that staying on the trail was pretty boring; there was so much to see just off the trail and they loved looking at the tracks that they made! At times they just wanted to see a cool ice formation, or sometimes we would follow a set of animal tracks in the snow just to see where they led. We never went very far from the path, but to a 2-year-old we were great explorers! These first excursions were short, maybe a kilometer if we were lucky, but each time we would go a little further.
Tip # 3: Pack snacks, and lots of them!
My boys will soon be eating me out of house and home. They are always hungry, and in the cold we need even more fuel to stay warm. I always pack granola bars, and high-calorie snacks like cheese or gorp. If it's really cold and we think we will be out for a while I stash some of these inside internal jacket pockets. Insulated lunch kits also help to keep them from freezing. Don't forget water. My kids will eat snow before they ask for water (Bonus tip: teach them when it is ok to eat snow, and what kind is safe to eat). I often pack warm water to help it last a little longer before it starts to freeze, keeping water in liquid state in the winter is its own conversation!
As the boys get older and our trips become longer, a few things have helped us along the way. By being spontaneous, adventurous, and nutritious, snowshoeing is becoming one of our favourite winter activities. With all this in mind, my final piece of advice is to be adaptable. Weather and attitudes can change quickly, so be prepared to change with them. And when things get tough, a cup of hot chocolate can be the best motivator; my kids never let me forget the marshmallows.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Thunder Bay Anniversary BBQ
We are so glad to have spent the last decade as a part of the Thunder Bay community! To show our appreciation, we're serving up some cake, BBQ, and the chance to joins us for a paddle (because nothing makes us want to get out on the water more than a belly full of buttercream!)
Wilderness Supply Anniversary BBQ
Sunday, June 22
12 - 3 PM
Boulevard Lake (Rita St Picnic Area)
There will be canoes, kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards to try paddling, or you are welcome to bring your own boat. Don't feel like getting out on the water? Just bring your appetite...everyone is welcome!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Wilderness Supply Camping Tent Sale & Expo - May 31-June 1
Join Wilderness Supply for our annual camping tent sale and expo at McLean's Athletic field on Lagimodiere!
Find your perfect backcountry home with over 50 tents set up from
- The North Face
- MSR
- Eureka
- Sierra Designs
and more! Get great discounts on brand new tents just in time for summer camping, or come by early to claim one of our expo demo models at an even deeper discount. It's our best tent prices of the year, at the perfect time of year to use them!
Friday, May 31st from 12:00-7:00 (2013)
Saturday, June 1st from 10:00-4:00 (2013)
Come to our Speers Road store to check out great in-store discounts on clothing and gear, or head directly to our expo location to see what tents are available.
Happy Camping!
Monday, September 26, 2016
8-year old Environmentalist Raises $1170 In Lieu of Birthday Gifts...So Far
If there’s one thing I love about the internet, it’s crowdsourcing. The way an idea can take hold and move like wildfire, bringing much needed support to important issues. Sure, sometimes the details of the cause are somewhat misplaced (hey, Koney) but the phenomenon is still impressive.
And when a fire gets lit under a cause worth fighting for, it’s a sight to see.
Take the case of 8-year old environmentalist Winter. According to The Grist, last night redditor nervousbreakdown19 posted that her daughter had asked for Nature Conservancy of Canada donations instead of presents this year.
Ok, I’ll admit it: I was already hooked. An 8 year old with the wherewithal and focus to ask for donations instead of gifts for her birthday? Do you remember being 8? I wanted juggling sticks so bad, and I can tell you – I would not have asked for pine marten donations instead.
But Winter did. And when she was berated by her friends’ parents for doing so, she turned to the broader community for help.
As I write this, Winter’s campaign to save the pine marten has raised $1180--$40 more than when I first started this article. I suspect I’ll check back again tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day until I get caught up in the next crowdsourced cause. Sometimes the details are murky, but in this case things seem pretty clear.
And I can’t think of many things I’d rather put my money towards than saving an endangered animal while simultaneously showing an amazingly self-possessed 8-year old that the world is not made up solely of materialistic individuals who feel the need to shame and bully their children’s friends.
Check out Winter’s campaign here: Earth Rangers
Earth rangers is a registered charity whose mission is to educate children about the importance of biodiversity and empower them to protect animals in their habitat. More...
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
2015 Holiday Boat Discounts
Dreaming of a new boat underneath your tree on Christmas morning? We want to help you make it happen! Whether you're buying for yourself or someone special, we've got once-a-year holiday deals you do not want to miss!
Save 15% on all Canoes, Kayaks and SUP only for December
Yes, that's right...all in-stock boats are 15% OFF only until Christmas! These are the lowest prices we offer on new models all year. Don't miss your chance to save up to $650 on the boat or SUP board of your dreams!
FREE Delivery before Christmas
Get free delivery before December 24th within the city limits of Winnipeg or Thunder Bay. Don't worry about how you're going to get that new canoe home - we'll deliver it before Christmas and save you the time, cost and hassle.
So what are you waiting for?
Get down to one of our store locations any time between December 1-24th and get the best deal of the year on all in-store canoes, kayaks and SUP. It's our gift to you - and a sure way to guarantee maximum excitement Christmas morning!
Only available on in-stock canoes, kayaks and SUP purchased in full between December 1-24, 2015. Free delivery available within city limits (Winnipeg or Thunder Bay) during regular store hours, subject to scheduling availability. Our staff will work with you to find the best time that works for you and us! Boats must be delivered by December 24th to qualify.