The Grand is a shallow moving river averaging about one meter in depth with 2 meter deep pools... the river speeds up at elevation drops, but averages about 3 kilometres per hour.

The beauty of the Grand River and the surprise of the surrounding wilderness is a delight to everyone.

At this point before the first easy rapid... learn about  the first fleet on the Grand River that went from Kitchener-Waterloo to Lake Erie... and then across to Niagara Falls.

Our favorite contest that we host for groups..."Cook dat Egg".

Each rafting team is given a pot, matches and an egg. Each team has to work together to build a fire from scratch... boil water... cook the egg.. and eat it.

Talk about teamwork with imagination!

Visit the 300 year old sycamore that is hollow inside.

Many people don't even know that sycamores exist in the valley... these trees tend to hollow out once they reach 150 years.

People have climbed 7 meters up inside this sycamore tree to come out the top.

Taste of the wild... try wild edible plants that the guides bring along as samples...

Learn about teas for scurvy...

And super fungi that grow to the size of a volleyball that you can eat.

Identify and see what poison ivy and stinging nettle look like.

If feeling healthy... the walk up to the lookout.

This hike through the Carolinian Forest is worth the view.

The Grand River is the largest river in Southern Ontario... about 300km long.

It starts up near a little place below Owen Sound called Dundalk and flows out into Lake Erie at Port Maitland.

One can easily do a one week canoe or kayak trip on this river and stop for supplies along the way,

The Oneida Paddle has the most splash.

The height of the waves vary with the season or latest amount of rainfall

In total there is about one kilometer of easy splash to experience with sections about 150 meters long.

The paddle is exhilerating and fun for all... safe for non-swimmers

The current is tricky here but we can pull over to drink from fresh water springs.

Everyone enjoys dumping out their water bottles and filling up with the real thing.

The cold spring water comes out along the bank from underwater aquifiers.

And it tastes good!

We stop at an island for groups requesting to do Noah's Ark.

Each rafting team is given a large sheet of cardboard, scissors and tape.

They must build a boat that will float a 4 kg rock through 500 meters of splash to the finish line.

Talk about people cheering on their creation! 

Growing up 0n the river we take body surfing for granted.

But to everyone else it is "wow!"

What we do is walk upstream... then wade out into the river... lay back... and float for about 100 meters downstream to where the rafts are.

For those who have never drifted down a river... don't miss it!

The return of health to the river...  is a story in itself. There are fish, birds of prey and wildlife.

As you paddle... your guide turns the raft into a floating classroom.

Have fun with our Joe Bushman Quiz which each rafting group tries to answer as they paddle the river.

This is a picture of the creature that makes that high noise on hot summer days.

Good news ... few biting bugs on this trip!

The Office Fishing Kit

This is Joe Survivor... each team is given two paper clips, fishing line, needle-nose pliers and a file.

Each raft team must make their own hook, design their own pole and catch their own bait.

The goal... the first to catch a fish wins!

 The "Splash Wars"

It never ceases to amaze us how quiet fellow workers and students have this amazing desire to become the evil raft.

We suggest you not wear denim... bring a bathing suit and clothes that dry fast!