FAQs

Who goes on a Braiding Rivers trip?

We welcome participants who identify as women — including trans women, femmes and all folx who identify as female — and are looking to connect with the land, with others, and/or with themselves. Some people who join have never slept in a tent, and others have decades of camping experience. Many are stepping way out of their comfort zone by going into the woods, and others are doing so by registering for an experience like this by themselves. The common thread is a thirst for an adventure, and a desire to be in commune with other women.

Are there age restrictions?

We do not have an official policy on age. If you have any questions about whether or not a Braiding Rivers trip is for you, please reach out using our contact form. We would love to discuss options, and are well connected to other organizations if our trips end up not being a good fit for you.

How big is the group?

The maximum number of clients on a Braiding Rivers trip is eight and our trips have two guides. This group size allows for us to connect with a variety of women, while maintaining a cozy, intimate energy.

Can I register on my own, or do I need a partner?

People register in a variety of ways. Many register on their own. Some register as couples or as small groups of friends. If you have a large group, please reach out using our contact form to discuss options around organizing a private group experience.

What skills and experience do I need?

A big part of our intention is to build capacity for people to have the skills to access environments in the outdoors. People of all comfort and skill levels are invited to join us on the river.

When should I register for a trip?

To secure a spot, it is best to register as soon as possible. We will post on our website any offerings that are fully booked to help you decide.

How do I register?

To register for a trip, you can sign up here! Send us a note and we can chat about any questions you have.

What is a typical day on the river like?

One of the beautiful things about being on a river trip is the simplicity of the routine. Below is an outline of a typical day on the river.

6:30 am: Some people are still cozy in their sleeping bags, others are on a rock doing a morning mindfulness practice, others are getting the fire started and brewing the first pot of coffee.

8:00 am: Breakfast is served and we begin the work of taking down camp and packing everything into our canoes.

9:30 am: We do a final sweep to make sure nothing was left behind at the campsite, talk about what’s coming ahead of us on the river, and launch our boats to start paddling, often into the mist. We paddle for most of the morning taking breaks for snacks, stretches, and photography.

12:00 - 1:00 pm: At some point in this timeframe we get out of our boats for a much needed leg stretch and to have a lunch on the shoreline.

1:30 pm: Much of the afternoon is spent the same way as the morning. We paddle beautiful stretches of flatwater, scout and paddle through rapids and sometimes portage or carry our equipment around rapids we decide not to paddle down.

4:00 - 5:00 pm: Sometime late afternoon we find a campsite in which we will turn into our home for the night. We all work together to get tents up, and complete group tasks such as unloading boats, gathering firewood, and filtering water. Once camp is set up we relax, swim, do yoga, go fishing, paint, nap, it really depends on the group’s interests and desires.

6:00 - 7:00 pm: Depending on when we arrived at camp we eat dinner anytime during this period. After dinner the group works together to clean up, and make sure that the site is tidied up for the night. The rest of our evenings are spent like our afternoons. Sometimes we do things together as a group for the evening, sometimes there are optional activities, and sometimes we all take some precious space to ourselves.

What is the food like?

The food on our trips is nutritious, plentiful, and also simple. Our guides have been travelling on expeditions for years and have learned about food preservation and developed recipes that work well over a fire. We cook over an open fire, or if fires are not permitted over gas camping stoves. While one of us will always be around to help co-ordinate meals, traditionally our groups love to be a part of the experience of cooking meals over the fire.

Breakfasts:

• Oatmeal, granola and milk, yoghurt and fruit, eggs.

Lunches:

• Most lunches we have a spread which includes some combination of cheese, hummus, veggies, cucumbers, wraps, breads, fruits, and nuts.

• Soup on cold days

Dinners:

• Curries and stews, pastas, falafel, burgers, soups, salads. If you have a favourite dinner, please let us know about it in your registration form!

Desserts

• We keep desserts simple with fruit, cookies, chocolate

Drinks

• Coffee, tea and herbal tea are provided

• Wine will be provided for one or two special dinners

What if I have a dietary restriction?

We plan our menu around people’s unique dietary requirements. We can accommodate most if not all restrictions. If you have dietary needs or preferences, please be sure to write them down on the registration form. We cater our menu based on our participants needs, so the more information we have about you, the better. If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss - we would love to hear from you!

What about alcohol?

We understand that everyone has different relationships and experiences with alcohol. While our menu does not include alcohol, we will usually bring wine for one or two dinners as a special treat. Unless you are asked otherwise, you are welcome to bring an alcoholic refreshment to enjoy at our campsites. Please make sure these are packed in durable and leak-proof containers.

How fit do I need to be?

Our trips require us to be active in a variety of ways. We will be paddling in canoes, carrying our equipment around rapids we choose not to run, setting up and taking down tents, swimming and hiking. We will take lots of breaks to bask in the sun, take in the views, and stretch out our bodies, however much of the day will be spent on the move. Please reach out if you are unsure, or worried about the amount of activity that is a part of a river trip.

What if I have health problems?

For most people underlying health concerns will not exclude you from safely joining a Braiding Rivers trip. We often have folks with allergies, pain from past injuries, asthma, mental health issues etc.

We have a detailed health information form where we invite you to share these underlying concerns with us. Doing so helps us to keep each other safe during Braiding Rivers programs.

If you find yourself feeling unsure at all about the impact that your physical or mental health might have on your ability to participate in our programs, please reach out through our contact section to discuss further.

Where do I sleep?

We sleep in 2 to 3 person tents on our trips. Please let us know on your registration form if you have a tent, how many people it holds, and if you would be open to sharing it with another participant.

Are there bears and other wildlife?

The Dumoine is home to wildlife including beavers, river otters, deer, and black bears. To share the space with these beautiful animals can be a magical experience.

We do however have many practices which allow us to lower the chance of these animals entering our campsites. We use animal resistant barrels for all of our food, and store food well away from our campsites at night. We also take great care to maintain clean campsites, carrying our garbage, compost, and recycling out with us.

What do I have to bring?

You will get a detailed clothing and equipment list upon registration. Likely, you will have most of the items that you'll need, but the list includes a fairly-warm sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a good rain suit, and a waterproof pack of some sort for all of your personal gear. We also have some items available for you to rent. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this.

Can I bring my own tent, paddle, PFD, etc.?

Yes. If you are going to bring your own, just check off the appropriate boxes on the application form so we know what to pack for the group. We provide good gear, so if you prefer to use ours, you’ll be happy.

What do I do with my travel clothes, etc. during the trip?

Any clothes you don’t want to bring on the river will be left in your vehicle at our starting location.

How do I get there?

All participants are responsible for getting themselves to our meeting spot, the Paddler’s Co-op in Palmer Rapids, Ontario (6535 Palmer Rd, Palmer Rapids, ON K0J 2E0). Here, we will have a few days to get comfortable in moving water before heading to the Dumoine River. At this point, we will all get back in our cars and convoy to our shuttle location, where we will leave our cars, secure, waiting for us on our return.