Curious about camping? Sask. offers classes
By Lynne Bell
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听听听听听听听听听听听 I could write an entire column-or volume-about what I don't have in common with the beautiful, Academy Award-winning, British film star, Kate Winslet. However, I share a trait with one of her most well-known characters.
听听听听听听听听听听听 Remember that line in the movie 'Titanic' where Jack tells Rose he would have taken her as being more of 鈥渁n indoor girl?鈥� Well, that's (kind of) me.
听听听听听听听听听听听 In Alberta, I loved the beautiful Rockies, but any mountain adventure had to end with a real (not canvas) roof over my head and if the meal was cooked by me (highly unlikely, by the way) it certainly wouldn't be made up of ingredients-ahem-caught by me.
听听听听听听听听听听听 Now that I am back in the Land of the Living Skies, I can safely say that I will never tire of the stunning sights Saskatchewan's upper atmosphere offers. And as for lake life, well, what's not to like?
听听听听听听听听听听听 But I'm still not sure if I'll ever be classed as a hardcore camper. Even at Craven, I'm a听 commuter, retiring to my shower-equipped, air-conditioned city digs after each day's musical听 shenanigans.
听听听听听听听听听听听 However, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport has recently announced that it will run two fantastic programs at selected provincial parks this year, that might just be partially aimed at people like me.
听听听听听听听听听听听 Saskatchewan is running its Learn to Camp program for the second year, as well as rolling out the brand new Learn to Fish program. Both are offered at select provincial parks this summer.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The Learn to Camp program-which recently ran at the Carlyle Public Library- connects would-be campers with a guide and a campsite. The campsite and the equipment-as well as lessons on setting up a tent and cooking outdoors-can be all yours to use and enjoy for a mere $25, for a two-day, one night stay.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The Learn to Fish program is free and tackles (pun intended) such topics as identifying fish, equipment, rules and regulations, safety, casting and (eek!) fish handling and filleting.
听听听听听听听听听听听 This is a great idea on so many levels. People who are curious about camping not only get a chance to try this outdoor pursuit under the guidance of well, a guide-but they can also camp or fish without a big outlay of cash, such as purchasing equipment they may never use again. For both longtime residents and newcomers, this program is a great opportunity to explore Saskatchewan in a new way, with a听 deeper appreciation for all the province has to offer.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The actual camping part of the Learn to Camp program wasn't offered this summer at our closest park- the scenic Moose Mountain Provincial Park-so I'm unable to take advantage (#SafeForAnotherYear) of this opportunity. But hey, maybe next year...
听听听听听听听听听听听 Until that happens, Craven counts, doesn't it?
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Find a friend to learn to camp
By Kelly Running
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听 听 听 听 听 At first Lynne brought up a new initiative the Sask Government came up with and I kind of scoffed at it. Essentially they're offering programs to help people learn how to light a campfire, filleting a fish, or putting up a tent.
听 听 听 听 听The Learn to Camp program is being offered for its second year and a new program is being introduced called Learn to Fish. The camping program is only offered at Echo Valley, Good Spirit Lake, and Pike Lake. It focuses on a two-day camping trip with on-night staying in the tent. While on the trip campers learn how to start a fire, set up a tent, and cook outdoors. There is a fee for this at $25 for the campsite, lesson, and equipment.
听 听 听 听 听 The Learn to Fish program is free and is being offered at more locations: The Battlefords, Blackstrap, Buffalo Pound, Crooked Lake, Douglas, Duck Mountain, Echo Valley, Greenwater Lake, and Meadow Lake.
听 听 听 听 听 I remain unsure of how I feel about the program鈥� Who wants to learn to do outdoorsy things? Wouldn't someone interested in the outdoors find like minded people to teach them. I e been camping in the past, so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. When I bought my tent, I set it up in my living room to make sure I knew what I was doing before my first trip with it鈥� And other than one short, seemingly random post, I can set it up fine.
听 听 听 听 听 听I just bought the tent and followed the instructions鈥� I didn't need a lesson in it.
听 听 听 听 听 听Starting a fire too is something that in our day and age is likely easy to be learned via the Internet. Again I was taught how to start a fire as a youth, helping Mom and Dad, while we were out camping. The key is basically to ensure the kindling and wood used is dry.
听 听 听 听 听 Though I've never filleted a fish I imagine you could do something similar with checking the Internet and following instructions. Which makes me think that the government is maybe wasting money on this front. Money that could be used for other things鈥� Like education which looked like it was hit pretty hard with school divisions having to now pay a substantial sum that the government initially said they would.
听 听 听 听 听 So although I think it's a fun idea to offer these outdoors programs, I'm not sold on them being sponsored by the government. Is there maybe a better way to offer the programs without the government being the sponsor of it?
听 听 听 听 听 For new Canadians to Saskatchewan is learning to camp and fish really what they want to be doing? If they are interested in camping then how about making a group of people willing to take others out with them to teach them about camping.
听 听 听 听 听 I like the idea, but I'm not sold on its execution.
