The Art Of Belonging
Eco-Expressive Arts Canoe Trip
Why This Journey Matters
In a world that often disconnects us from
ourselves, each other, and the living earth,
how do we reclaim a sense of belonging?
How do we soften the barriers—within and
around us—that keep us from remembering
our place in the greater web of life?Set in the vast and storied wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park, this 4-day canoe trip is designed as a rites-of-passage ritual for those seeking personal healing, ecological connection, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world.
By weaving together the practice of Expressive Arts and Nature and Forest Therapy, we will explore and expand our relationship with the more-than- human world.
Why You Should Join
This isn’t your typical camping trip — it’s a fully supported wilderness experience.
All logistics are taken care of: meals, equipment, navigation, and safety. With experienced wilderness guides and facilitators holding the container, you can truly let go — no planning, no stress.
Whether you're new to canoe trips or have paddled many lakes before, this journey offers something rare: the spaciousness to slow down, reconnect, and be guided through a meaningful process in the company of others.
What to Expect
- Forest Bathing
- Expressive Arts activities
- Storytelling / Music / Games
- Solo time for rest, reflection, and wandering
- Group circles and facilitated sharing
- Evenings by the fire, swimming in the lake, and sleeping under the stars!
What's Included
- Canoe trip leaders who are as good as it gets: expert guides, master naturalists, certified teachers, and teachers of teachers, our staff are second to none.
- All food and group gear: canoes, paddles, tents, cooking supplies, and everything else the group will need to live well with the wilderness
What You Bring
- Personal clothing, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat (a detailed packing list will be sent upon registration)
- A PFD/lifejacket (we can provide a PFD upon request, but we recommend you bring your own to ensure that it is well-fitting and comfortable)
- An eagerness to explore, have fun, and travel with the wilderness!
The Arc of the Experience
The Arc of the Experience
Each day of this journey carries its own rhythm — held within a larger arc of arrival, descent, emergence, and return.
Day 1 - Crossing The Threshold
We meet at the launch site and paddle together into the park. After setting up camp, we guide the group through intention setting, creating group agreements, and an embodied land acknowledgment practice. The day ends with a fire-side threshold ritual to mark our entry into this shared rite-of-passage.
Day 2 - Deepening Into Self and Land
This day supports a return to the body and the senses through somatic and sensory connection to place. In the afternoon, participants will be guided through a 3-hour forest bathing session, inviting presence, stillness, and deep listening to the land.
Following this, we’ll move into an arts-based, body-centered practice shaped by what arises during the Forest Bathing experience. Depending on what is emerging within the group, this session may involve movement, image-making, or guided creative reflection — offering space to integrate what has surfaced and deepen connection to self and the more-than-human world.
Day 3 – Relational Weaving and Emergence
We shift toward community and co-creation. The day begins with a Work That Reconnects relational movement excersize and a group process session, exploring how we meet each other and what’s arising in the shared experiences.
In the afternoon, participants engage in solo or partnered creative work, preparing a personal offering that reflects their experience within the group. We close with a campfire ceremony, where these offerings are shared — a space to witness, honour, and celebrate what is emerging between us.
Day 4 - Integration and Return
As we prepare to leave the land, we reflect on what’s changed and what we are carrying forward. Participants will engage in a creative integration practice, followed by a closing circle to mark the end of our shared journey. We then paddle out together and return to the launch site.
Additional Information
- Ages: 18 and up
- Group size: 4 to 10 participants, 2 program facilitators, and 2 wilderness guides
- Canoe tripping experience necessary: None. This trip is slow paced with no experience required
Your Guides
This retreat is led by two passionate facilitators who bring heart, creativity, and care to their work.
Amália / Emily Pleasance is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Expressive Arts Therapist, and visual artist who fosters connection and resilience through nature, the senses, and art.
Anto Chan is a spoken word artist, writer, and Expressive Arts Therapist who invites play, presence, and connection through voice, story, and vulnerability.
Departure and Return Information
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Departure: Friday August 1 between 10:00am-10:30am at Algonquin Provincial Park Access Point #1, Kawawaymog (Round) Lake Park Office
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Return/Ending: Monday August 4 between 3:00pm-3:30pm at the same location as the departure
- Address: Algonquin Provincial Park Access Point #1, Kawawaymog (Round) Lake Park Office, Unorganized South Nipissing District, ON P0H 1Z0
- Departure Location : CLICK HERE
Pricing
(Payment Plans Available)
We’ve designed our pricing to reflect both the depth of this offering and our desire to make it accessible to our communities.- 🐦 Early Bird Price: 1,100 + HST (before July1st)
- 🌲 Standard Rate: $1,200 + HST - This helps support our facilitators and covers all logistics, food, gear, permits, and programming.
- 🎓 Student Rate: $1,020 + HST - Available to students from Create. We want this work to stay connected to our learning community.
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🤝 Community Rate: $1,050 + HST per person - Register with two friends (a group of 3 or more) and each of you saves $150. (Because these journeys are even more powerful when shared!)
- 🌿 Student Community Rate: $950 + HST per person - For students who register with two friends. Our most accessible rate.
Any more questions? - Contact Us HERE
Our Beloved Partnership!
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Headwaters Wilderness Program to bring this experience to life. Their commitment to making canoe tripping more accessible is something we deeply value. With their experienced guides and rates that are 35% more affordable than the average canoe tripping offerings, this collaboration ensures a supportive, inclusive, and transformative journey for all participants.