location

If you are looking for a day trip, you’ll want to pick a spot that isn’t too far away. This could be anything up to 150 km / 1.5 hours from where you live. For some gnarly ideas, check out our local adventures page!

For multi-day trips, anything you can realistically find transportation to (and have time for) is an option! See the next section for tips on transport!

Next, consider the experience and interest level of your group. If this is your first camping trip, we suggest picking a closer spot (such as Murphy’s Point PP or Bon Echo PP if you’re in the Ottawa area), so that if you end up having a miserable time you have the option to bail. 

Finally, consider your budget. Some experiences are more expensive than others, and may lend themselves better to shorter (2-3 night) trips. For example, canoe camping will involve renting canoes, life jackets and paddles, and possible dry bags and backpacks (though as a PCOCC member you can rent those from us for free!), while backpacking doesn’t require as much specialized gear and most you can rent from us for free.

route

For day trips, look at a map of the trails/lakes in the area and pick one that you can complete before dark. A good starting point would be 8-10 km (round trip), or even shorter if the trail is hilly. Make sure to account for if the route is a loop or a there-and-back when counting distances.

To plan your backcountry route, we recommend studying maps of the area, and picking a route based on your group’s realistic experience levels. Do not pick a route labelled ‘very challenging’ for your first backpacking trip. It’s better to pick something a little too easy than to find yourselves hiking when it gets dark or getting seriously injured on trail. That being said, once you have some km’s under your belts challenge yourselves! Additionally, make sure the distances you set for each day are realistic. A starting point would be 8-12 km/day for backpacking and 15 km/day for canoe/kayaking.

Make sure to bring a map and compass and know how to use them. A GPS as backup is nice, but not essential.

logistics

Once you’ve decided on a location, you’ll need to figure out how to actually get there. This can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you don’t have access to a vehicle. For day trips to in-Ottawa locations, OC Transpo is the best option. If you opted out of the U-Pass this year you can buy a day pass for around $11. 

For anything outside of Ottawa, try to see if you can borrow a car or carpool. As well, check out specialized buses. Parkbus runs from Ottawa/Toronto to popular outdoor destinations (including Gatineau Park and Algonquin Park) and offers a student discount. Cbus (run by the Carleton Ski and Snowboard Club) runs weekly trips to Mont Tremblant during the winter.

If you are planning on camping you will need to reserve a site. For front-country (car) camping, you will either reserve a specific site or just show up and try to get one of the first come-first serve sites, but to get a nice one we recommend booking in advance. Bookings are done on parks’ websites.

For backpacking trips, you need to book your site(s) online in advance. 

For canoe/kayak camping trips, you book the lake you want to camp on, then pick the specific site when you get there - so paddle fast if you want the most baller site!

gear

Check out this great list from MEC! If you’re short on anything check out our gear rentals!

For cold-weather adventures, make sure to pack layers (base, mid, outer), and change your base layer if it gets wet.

No matter what, bring extra socks. Cold, wet feet can ruin a trip.

food

 

Having a good food plan is a very important part of planning an enjoyable outdoor experience. (No, survivor man Michael Scott out in the wilderness is not a good inspiration this time, not at all).

The main things to remember when planning food are:

  • For day trips, bring high-calorie snacks and no-cook meals. If it’s winter, consider bringing a thermos of soup or a hot drink for a nice warm pick-me-up.

  • If you are going on a multi-day trip, think about how you will cook your meals. Borrow from friends and family or rent gear from us. Otherwise, plan only no-cook meals such as sandwiches and granola bars.

  • Based on the length of your trip and drive, count the number of meals that you and your group will need. Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need, for emergencies. Make sure to account for your group’s food allergies and preferences.

  • The rule of thumb when choosing meals is to find things that are lightweight but high in energy (calories) and protein. If you can find them, non-perishables and dehydrated foods are best.

For some delicious camping meal ideas, check out Backpacking Chef and Dirty Gourmet. You can even reach out to us for suggestions to planning your food plan!

SAFETY

If you have a basic first aid kit, it will probably be sufficient. Make sure to check it before each trip and refill it regularly. You can also borrow a first aid kit from Foot Patrol on campus. Some things to check for (and add if they weren’t included) are:

  • Antiseptic wipes and band-aids (most used items on PCOCC trips)

  • Triangular bandages (for deep cuts and tourniquets)

  • Water purification tablets (as backup to your main purifying system)

  • Emergency foil blanket

  • Tweezers/ tick remover

  • Nail clippers (backpacking)

Make sure you leave a trip plan with someone you trust, including where you’re going and when you expect to return. If they don’t hear from you by an agreed upon time, they will let authorities know.

If you are building a fire, make sure it is contained in the fire pit and in control at all times. Don’t leave a fire unattended. Test out your stove at home and make sure you can use it safely.

Water safety is very important in the backcountry. The most common ways to clean water are boiling, chemicals (tablets/drops), gravity filters and UV-systems (like Lifestraws). PCOCC recommends a gravity filter as the main system and tablets or drops as backup, but pick what works best for you.

Black bears are the only bears you need to worry about in Ontario. They are not usually aggressive to humans, but you should still be bear smart. NEVER get between a mom and her cub. If you do, move away slowly and calmly. Make sure to keep a clean campsite. All food, garbage, and heavily scented items (soap, deodorant) should be kept in the car (front country) or a bear box/bag in a bear hang (back country) overnight. You can also bring bear spray.

Ticks are the #1 bug to look out for when camping in Ontario, as some carry Lyme Disease. Wear long pants and socks (bonus points if you tuck your pants into your socks), long sleeves and a hat if you know ticks are in the area. Check yourself for ticks every day. If you find a tick, remove it immediately. NEVER grab a tick by its head - familiarize yourself with the proper way to remove a tick.

Ontario has two poisonous spiders, the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. Both are not very common and can be treated. If you suspect you have been bitten by one of these, clean the wound and see a medical professional.

If you are heading up towards Georgian Bay / the Bruce Peninsula, look out for the Massasauga Rattlesnake, Ontario’s only venomous snake! If you encounter this snakey boi, step back, and look for an alternate (wide) detour. If there is no way around, wait it out. NEVER step or jump over a rattlesnake. If you are bitten, clean the wound and go to a hospital. If someone tells you to apply a tourniquet or try to suck the venom out please don’t listen, both are ineffective.