Paddle into Play
French River
This isn’t just a canoe trip—it’s an invitation to laugh, splash, explore, and remember the simple joy of being in nature. Together, we’ll paddle the waterways, make camp under the stars, share stories around the fire, and open space for our inner children to play.
Think of this as recess for the soul: skipping rocks, swimming, singing, telling stories, and letting curiosity lead the way. Our time together will be about lightness and connection, with plenty of space to wander, rest, and simply be.
But we’ll also look honestly at what gets in the way of play. As adults, many of us carry shadows of seriousness, responsibility, or self-consciousness that make it harder to let go and be free. On this journey, we’ll gently explore those places too—so that the laughter, the joy, and the wonder can flow even more fully.
The camping is fully supported, so you can relax into the adventure. We provide canoes, nourishing meals and snacks, and the sacred medicines that deepen our time together. You only need your sleeping bag, clothing and personal items. A full packing list will be provided.
Come ready to paddle, play, and reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with the childlike wonder that still lives inside you.
Day 1: The Return to the Wild
You’ve felt the call to adventure, and today we answer it together—venturing out onto the waters of the Wemitigoj-Sibi (French River).
We gather at the Pine Cove in Wolseley Bay and begin our journey. This first day is all about arriving—shedding the weight of the city, the busyness, the to-do lists—and remembering what it feels like to be free. With each paddle stroke, we not only move forward but also clear space inside ourselves, making room for curiosity, wonder, and play to guide us.
When we reach our campsite, we set up camp and share our first meal together. As the sun sets, we gather around the fire for ceremony—honoring the river, the land, and the little spark of play that brought us here.
Day 2: Play Day
Friday is all about play! Today we meet the playful spirit of the French River itself as we paddle into its white waters. Like children splashing in the waves, we’re invited to face our fears, laugh with the currents, and remember that life isn’t about fighting the flow, but about making small, gentle corrections that carry us forward with ease.
After the adventure, we return to basecamp for a well-deserved feast. With full bellies and open hearts, we gather in circle to share our expectations and intentions for the medicine day ahead.
Day 3: Soul Exploration
After the energy of the rapids, we shift into a day of rest, reflection, and soul play. With the guidance of a connecting, heart-opening medicine and the support of the wild, we explore the landscapes within us. This is a time to discover what has been holding us back from joy, curiosity, and playfulness, and to meet those shadows with compassion.
We invite the stuck energies of old struggles, memories, relationships, traumas, fears, and doubts to loosen their grip. Each of us finds our own way of releasing—sometimes through solitude, sometimes by sharing our stories with the group.
The unburdening ceremony takes many forms and is always personal. Nici is often drawn to the cold waters for release, while Steve works with imagery of light and shadow. Others may choose fire, breath, music, rhythm, the soil of the earth, purging, or simply speaking their truth. There is no right or wrong—only creativity, honesty, and the freedom to let the child within us find its own way of being set free.
Day 4: The Return
We begin our last morning together greeting the sun with breathwork and a closing ceremony, giving thanks to the river, the land, and the childlike spirit that guided our days.
Then we pack up camp, paddle out, and return to civilization. This is where the true adventure begins: how do we carry the laughter, freedom, and insights of these days back into our everyday lives? It can be tempting to slip back into the distractions of busyness, but the choice is always ours—to bury the playfulness we’ve rediscovered, or to keep nurturing it as a guiding light.
To support this transition, we gather again one week later for a group integration call. This circle gives us a chance to share how the journey continues to unfold, and to remind each other that play, presence, and self-discovery don’t end with the trip—they are part of the path we walk every day.