G7 Summit concludes for 2025
3 national parks
The Summit was strategically held in the heart of the Rocky Mountains to highlight the potential of economic growth as well as the beauty of Alberta to the G7.

By Adan Shaikh

The Group of Seven (G7) summit, June 15 to 17, brought leaders of the world’s most advanced economies to Alberta for discussions on global economic stability, climate action, security and democratic values.

The G7 is a forum comprising Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the European Union. The group has met annually since the 1970s. Canada assumed the G7 presidency at the start of this year, marking its seventh time as host.

“Home to world-class destinations and cinematic landscapes, the $12.7-billion tourism industry is booming in Alberta. Our picture-perfect views are boosting film and television production to an estimated gross domestic product of $864 million. Alberta’s commitment to low taxes and less red tape is sending a clear message: this is the place to invest, grow and succeed,” commented Premier Danielle Smith in a media release shared by the Government of Alberta.

This year’s summit took place in Kananaskis. This is the second time the province has hosted the G7 since 2002. The setting–in the heart of the Rocky Mountains reflected Canada’s focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development.

The federal government said Kananaskis was chosen to showcase Alberta’s natural beauty and to emphasize the province’s importance to Canada’s economy. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office noted that holding the summit in Alberta demonstrated a commitment to national unity, at a time when the province had expressed frustration with federal climate policies and called for greater autonomy.

In the months leading up to the summit, Canada hosted preparatory meetings across the country, including in Charlevoix, Quebec and Banff. The summit concluded Canada’s G7 presidency, which centred on building resilient economies, advancing clean energy transitions, and strengthening international cooperation.

Leaders agreed on new commitments related to climate financing, cybersecurity cooperation and measures to address global food insecurity, according to official communications. “We stand ready to show the world what Alberta has to offer,” stated Premier Smith.

Canada’s G7 presidency was seen as an opportunity to position the country as a bridge between advanced economies and emerging markets, while addressing domestic and international challenges through dialogue and consensus.
Beaver Hills Biosphere volunteers plant trees for the future
4 erika and dave
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park Ranger Erika Seabrooke, left, and Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society member Dave Konrad planted trees north of the lake to encourage new growth and replace trees that have died out.

By Murray Green

The Great Divide Tree Planting and Celebration honoured the land with a mass tree planting endeavour on June 8 at the south end of the Beaver Hills Biosphere.

The event was organized by Global Foundation’s Miquelon Watershed Stewardship Committee (MWSC), in partnership with the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) and North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA) to assemble unique elements in the tree planting, surrounding the boundary between Beaver County and Camrose County.

The focus was on tree planting and a call to heal the land, with emphasis on inspiring people and groups to help boost future tree planting–especially, within and around the Beaver Hills Biosphere.

“Thank you to the Miquelon Watershed Stewardship Committee for inviting me to be here with so many who care deeply about Alberta’s natural spaces. Albertans understand that healthy landscapes mean healthy communities,” said MLA Jackie Lovely.

“As Alberta grows, places like the Beaver Hills Biosphere, and the work of organizations like the Battle River Watershed Alliance and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance will be increasingly important. You are helping protect water, forests and wetlands, ensuring plants, animals and people have a place to grow and thrive,” MLA Lovely said.

The Beaver Hills Biosphere is a special place. It is recognized by the UNESCO as a place of learning and leads the way on sustainable land use that will benefit communities for generations to come.

“We’re here to show off and celebrate our green thumbs. Today marks the start of a significant commitment to tree planting over the next decade. I’m told almost half of the biosphere is covered by native forests. There’s also a good share of surface water and wetlands. Planting more trees will help maintain the health of these natural resources into the future,” MLA Lovely shared.

MLA Jackie Lovely spoke on behalf of Alberta Minister Todd Loewen, Forestry and Parks.

“As Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, I know that healthy forests help keep our watersheds strong and can help reduce the risk of wildfires. The tree planting planned here over the next decade is a positive initiative and will add to the other reforestation and wildfire mitigation work we are doing in other parts of Alberta,” she said for Minister Loewen.

“We are proud to be part of the Beaver Hills Reserve Association and to see this land, and those managed by other partners, continue to be places we can look to as examples of conservation and sustainability,” he remarked in his notes.

Emcee and Beaver County Reeve Kevin Smook introduced other guest speakers including Global Foundation president Winston Gereluk and MWSC interim chair Noel St. Jean.

Musician Maya Rathnavalu played the violin before Elder Will Campbell spoke about development, and cultural leadership with Indigenous people nationally and internationally.
First Unified Games held in Camrose
5 unified games
Students learned about teamwork in floor curling and floor hockey and also allowing everyone a chance to play during the Unified Games.

By Murray Green

Battle River School Division together with École Charlie Killam School (ÉCKS) held its first Unified Games Jamboree for students on June 13.
More than 100 student athletes, along with their peer partners, arrived at ÉCKS from 10 schools across the Division for a day of skill building, competition and fun.

ÉCKS students brimmed with enthusiasm, while kicking off BRSD’s Unified Games Jamboree as Grade 6 students formed a tunnel, extending beyond the hallway, and dished out high fives to welcome each student athlete and peer partner as they arrived.

They organized eight colour-coded teams with students ranging from ages six to 17, who were eager to begin the day that would end with one team receiving a trophy, symbolic of the team’s high spirit, participation and cooperation.
Opening ceremonies kicked off at 10 a.m. and the teams transitioned to four stations, set up on a rotation, for students to compete in floorball, floor curling, cornhole and yard games.

Students enjoyed a hot dog lunch and activities continued until mid-afternoon, wrapping up with closing remarks and the trophy presentation.
This event provided an opportunity for all BRSD students to access sports in an inclusive environment, while bringing BRSD’s Special Olympic athletes together.

ÉCKS principal Andrea Gutmann and her team were intentional in planning an inclusive event and space for all students to have the chance to shine.

“We have so many talented students who do not often have opportunities to engage in sport in the same way many others do,” said Gutmann. “And to truly support inclusion, we wanted to provide an opportunity for all. Peer Partners help bring the spirit of inclusion alive as they support our Special Olympic athletes through various sporting events.”

ÉCKS was grateful to all volunteers, staff, students, athletes and Special Olympics Alberta for making this event possible. Many hands and ideas were instrumental in the planning and execution of a successful day of engagement, competition and fun.

During the planning stage, it was important to consider accessibility barriers and options to create a positive experience where all students could excel in the day’s activities.

“We need to be more inclusive so all students can have meaningful participation in sports,” said Gutmann. “And that needs to start at a young age to give them the confidence to continue.”

All ages can participate in inclusive sports though Unified Sports, a Special Olympics program which is also part of Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA).

Unified Sports promotes an inclusive environment where all athletes can participate. Peer partners are integral in building the unified spirit and always welcomed and encouraged to join events. A peer partner is a friend, athlete or partner without a disability who accompanies an athlete and participates in the activity.

ÉCKS plans to host another Unified Games Jamboree next year and is excited to see even more athletes and peer partners participating.
Canada Strong Pass, enjoy National Parks for free
By Adan Shaikh

On June 16, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of the Canada Strong Pass, a federal initiative that offers free admission to national parks, historic sites, museums and galleries for Canadians.

The program runs from June 20 through Labour Day, and is aimed at helping families afford recreational activities while encouraging Canadians to explore the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

According to the information shared by the government, the pass will give Canadians free access to all Parks Canada, and camping fees in National Parks are now reduced by 25 per cent. Children aged 17 and under can visit national museums and travel through VIA Rail for free.
Young adults from ages 18 to 24 will be eligible for a 50 per cent discount at the national museums and 25 per cent discount when travelling through VIA Rail.

There will be a number of provincial parks and museums that will also be offering discounts during this time.

The pass reflects a key promise made by Carney during the last federal election to make Canada’s natural spaces more accessible and to promote national unity. The government said the program is designed to give families relief from rising costs while supporting local tourism operators still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

The move is expected to bring more visitors to parks and communities across the country, particularly in Alberta, where destinations like Banff, Jasper and Waterton are popular summer draws.

“We’ve seen an incredible show of unity from Canadians since the beginning of the year. Our Canada Strong Pass aims to make it even easier for families to choose Canada, to discover the beauty of our country, connect with nature, and enjoy our culture all summer long. Whether it’s visiting a national park they always wanted to see, exploring a museum, or booking a camping trip, families can create lasting memories together. Canadians are proud of what defines us, and this Pass is about celebrating a strong, united Canada,” commented Minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages, Steven Guilbeault.

Carney described the Canada Strong Pass as a way to help the next generation connect with the environment and Canadian history while creating lasting memories.

Officials said the pass will also contribute to regional economies, benefiting small businesses, restaurants and accommodations that rely on seasonal visitors.

For more information, visit Canada.ca.
Graham gives his hand-built plane a high-tech makeover
7 barry plane
Barry Graham received his pilot’s licence in the year 2000, he then decided to hand-build his own aircraft. He chose the RV-9A by Van’s Aircraft and he has recently upgraded his avionics panel to make it fully electronic.

By Adan Shaikh

Barry Graham’s passion for aviation took flight long before he ever stepped into a cockpit. Growing up in the 1960s with a pilot father, Graham was drawn to airplanes from an early age. But it wasn’t until 2000 that he finally earned his pilot’s licence, and soon after, set his sights on building his own aircraft.

On a business trip to Portland, OR, Graham had the chance to test fly a Van’s Aircraft RV-9A–a popular kit plane manufactured in the region. He was immediately hooked.

“I built this from scratch. They send you a kit, so every rivet on this plane, I put it together,” said Graham, who assembled the aircraft over three and a half years, completing it in July 2007. “That was an exciting day, the day it went up in the air for the first time.”

The RV-9A is a two-seat, all-metal aircraft known for its reliability and efficiency. The “A” designates the nose-wheel configuration, compared to the tail-wheel on the RV-9. The plane cruises at about 140 knots (175 mph) and burns roughly eight gallons of fuel per hour, giving it an endurance of about four hours.

Built from a standard kit, Graham’s aircraft came together in stages. The process began with the empennage, the tail assembly, followed by the wing, fuselage and finishing kits. “When you first get the kit, you get the empennage piece, and putting that together will tell anyone whether or not they can build their own plane,” said Graham. “Once you build this piece and get it inspected, then you get the wing kit, the fuselage kit and the finishing kit.”

The finishing kit included the canopy, landing gear, engine mount and other components. Graham installed the engine, propeller and instrument panel himself, personalizing the build to his needs.

“It features a Lycoming-style O-320 engine, a 160-horsepower, four-cylinder powerhouse that is remarkably efficient,” Graham explained.
Most recently, Graham undertook a major upgrade, rebuilding the avionics panel to modernize the cockpit.

“This last winter, I decided to upgrade and I built a new panel for it,” he said. “I started from a sheet of aluminum, ordered all the parts and installed them. Once I was done with the installation then I did the calibration. It’s now very well equipped for night flying.”

The new panel includes ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast), a system required for flying into U.S. airspace that improves communication with air traffic control. The upgrade replaced aging steam gauges with modern electronic displays, a project that took a little over three months to complete.

“My old instruments were getting a bit tired, so it was time to make some upgrades. I was starting to get some failures in the old steam gauges so now it is all electronic,” said Graham.

“Van’s Aircraft has a very good reputation and they are quite popular, so I saw it as a reliable aircraft. I hired someone who had experience with this plane to test it out after I built it, then to get it insured I had to be trained by that guy for 10 hours,” he explained.

Graham’s mechanical skills have been a major advantage. He handles his own maintenance, from installing new brakes to changing tires, saving time and cost. And he makes the most of his aircraft, flying whenever he can. The RV-9A has carried him as far as the Great Lakes and Niagara Falls on group tours, and this summer, he plans to head southwest to Nelson, BC, and north to Whitehorse, Yukon, weather permitting.
Enjoy Hip Experience at Bailey
By Murray Green

The Bailey Theatre continues to have a great lineup of shows planned. Bailey Buckaroos return with a variety of country music on June 29 starting at 2 p.m.

The Hip Experience is a celebration of the music of The Tragically Hip. The international touring tribute act based out of Toronto, The Hip Experience, is dedicated to celebrating the music and legacy of the iconic Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip on July 2 at 8 p.m.

Rob Fillo will be on stage July 5 at 8 p.m. He delivers passionate and inspiring vocals, next-level musicianship and lyrics.

Backroads and Bootleg in a country music tribute to ‘90s songs on July 12 at 8 p.m.. Local singer Myra Marshall is part of the six-piece band.

Camrose Blues Festival will be held on August 15 and 16. Enjoy artists such as Samantha King, Front Porch Review and Big Dave McLean.
Powerline Baseball League heads down the stretch
By Murray Green

As the Powerline Baseball League heads towards the end of the regular season, the Rosalind Athletes are in first place.

Rosalind sits at 9-2, while The Rivals have a 7-2 record with a couple of games to make-up. Armena is third with a 6-3 record. It will be a dog fight for the last playoff spot with Camrose at 2-5, Vegreville at 2-6 and Tofield supporting a 1-9 record.

All six teams played on June 3. Camrose beat Tofield 9-3, Rivals edged Vegreville 2-1 and Armena lost to Rosalind 14-3. Rosalind won over The Rivals 4-1 and Tofield lost to Armena 11-1 on June 5.

On June 8, Vegreville dropped a 9-1 contest and a 7-4 game in a doubleheader to Rosalind.

Armena crushed The Rivals 14-4 on June 10 and Rosalind hammered Tofield 23-4. Rivals edged Armena 4-3 and Camrose Roadrunners ran over Tofield 23-3 on June 11.

 On June 14, Rivals beat Camrose 7-0. The next night Rosalind Athletics shut out Tofield 10-0.
On June 17, Armena beat Camrose 7-0. Then Vegreville lost a nail-biter 10-9 to The Rivals on June 18 and Tofield beat Camrose 9-7.

On June 24, The Rivals tangle with Tofield and Armena is in Vegreville. Rosalind is at Camrose on June 25 and The Rivals are in Tofield on June 26. Camrose also takes on Vegreville on that date.
Outdoor music next at Lougheed
By Murray Green

The Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre has a great line-up planned.

The outdoor music sessions begin on Wednesday, July 30 before BVJ weekend. The summer lineup: July 30, The Hello Darlins; August 5, Shooglenifty; August 13, AV and The Inner City; August 20, The Woodshed featuring John Wort Hannam and T. Buckley.

The Summer Series is on the Verda McNeill Plaza, located on the southeast corner of the Lougheed Centre.

Soul Man will feature the music of Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge and Edwin Starr performed by Lee Siegel on September 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Melody McArthur will be part of the Cabaret Series with her show on September 19 at 7:30 p.m. She is a versatile artist and slides into the Indigenous country genre. Melody was in Camrose before as the lead in the show Bear Grease.

Listen to the music of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen in The Untold Love Story at the Lougheed on October 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Dana Wylie, a favourite at the Bailey Blues events, is back with the sounds of Canadian icon, Mitchell.
The Joy is a show from Juno-nominated musician and acclaimed theatre creator Brendan McLeod on October 8 to 11 at 7 p.m. He talks about the first 500 songs his newborn heard.

The team of Paula Cole and Sophie B. Hawkins will be performing a concert on October 17 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Grammy winner Cole reached stardom with her hit “I Don’t Wanna Wait” that is known as the theme song from television’s Dawson’s Creek. Hawkins had hits with songs “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down.”
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Highlights of the BRCF open house
By Murray Green

The Battle River Community Foundation held its annual open house to update the community on June 18.

BRCF director Ben Paulson opened the evening with his remarks. “We celebrate not just an open house, but a milestone. The BRCF turns 30 years old in 2025. That is three decades of generosity. Three decades of service. Three decades of legacy. Legacy is not just what we leave behind. It’s what we build while we are here. It’s the mark we make on the lives of others, the values we pass on and the hope we plant for future generations,” said Ben.

“At the BRCF, that’s exactly what we help people do, turn generous intentions into lasting legacies,” Ben added.

BRCF was started by like-minded community members who took it upon themselves to solve a need in the Battle River area. The community needed a way of pooling resources so donors could support sustainable long-term funding. It was founded in 1995.

“The BRCF doesn’t simply raise money. We help people create legacies. When someone comes to the Foundation with a desire to give back, we don’t just accept their donation and move on. We sit down, we listen and we work with them to build a plan that will ensure their gift continues to make a difference not just today, but for generations,” said Ben.

“We help people align their values with action. We help them think beyond the moment and into the future. And most importantly, we help them plant the kind of seeds that grow into something much bigger. Because legacy isn’t a one-time act–it’s a long-term investment in what we believe in,” shared Ben.

“Think of a tree. When you plant it, you’re not planting it for yourself. You are planting it for your children, your grandchildren and for people you will never meet. That is the heart of legacy.”

BRCF chair Kevin Gurr announced information on the fall Community Builder’s Dinners. “Last year, we recognized and honoured Roxy and Boris Rybalka, which created a fund in their names and the interest in this fund will contribute to many organizations in this community for many years to come,” said Kevin.

“I’m extremely excited to announce that on October 25 in Galahad, we will be celebrating two serial volunteers from the Flagstaff area, Angela and Allen Dietz. This year in Camrose, BRCF are saluting one of the founding members, Ambassador Emeritus Blain Fowler and his family on October 17. He always helps ensure we remain grounded in the values and principles established when the Foundation began 30 years ago,” said Kevin.

He introduced guest speaker Connor Chafe, senior financial consultant with Kudrowich, Nahirniak, Quinn and Associates Private Wealth Management, to talk about the role professional advisors play in shaping the future of our region.

“Legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind. It’s about the seeds we plant today that will grow for generations to come. The BRCF and its members have been sowing those seeds for three decades, prudently, consistently and confidently,” said Connor.

A good example of this is the annual Professional Advisors Luncheon hosted by the BRCF each spring.

“What’s truly remarkable about this event is that 75 per cent of this year’s attendees have been involved for the whole process. That kind of long-term commitment speaks volumes, not just about the advisors themselves, but about the strength of the relationship between the Foundation and the professional community,” Connor explained.

“Over the past four years, the professional advisors group has contributed $515,000 to the Foundation and many have gone a step further to creating named funds within the administrative endowment fund,” said Connor.

“These contributions have already given back $188,000 to the Foundation’s operations and mission. The total value of the Administration Endowment fund has grown to a combined $1.8 million…that’s legacy in action,” said Connor.

BRCF vice-chair Stephen Kambeitz explained how the fund development operates. “Sometimes we promise to immediately enrich a charitable organization. We call this a flow-through grant. If we promise to give a set amount to a charity or scholarship every year for a set number of years, we call this a declining designated fund,” said Stephen.

“If we promise to benefit a specific charity forever, we call this a designated fund. If we promise a donor that we will further a category of charity, like food security, children’s literacy or mental health, we call this a field of interest fund. If we promise a donor that we will make them a part of the conversation of who we benefit every year, we call this a donor advised fund. And if we promise that we will simply do the most good that we can with their money, we call this a community fund,” continued Stephen.

Executive director Bobbi Way added to the conversation about 30 years ago.

“In 1995, the same year the Foundation officially opened its doors, we were still rewinding VHS tapes, flipping cassette tapes halfway through a road trip and storing school projects on floppy disks. The world looked pretty different,” shared Bobbi.

“The BRCF was designed to outlast all of it, not just the technology, but trends, global chaos and economic shifts. And as we look back over 30 years, it’s clear that the idea had staying power. It was never just about today. It was always about tomorrow,” Bobbi added.

“It turns out that when you build something to last and when people believe in that vision, something remarkable happens,” Bobbi said.

“I want to introduce you to BRCF math. This is the kind of math that turns a single $100,000 donation into more than $120,000 in grants, while still growing the fund to more than $181,000. That’s the power of endowment. When trust is honoured over time, it grows into something powerful,” said Bobbi.

“We are now managing more than $28 million in assets, through 456 endowed funds and more than 480 total funds in all. We’ve served 299 unique organizations as grant recipients. And over the past 30 years, we’ve facilitated more than 6,000 grants,” she said.

“By the end of this year, we will have granted more than $10 million back into the Battle River Region. That $10 million isn’t just a dollar figure on a spreadsheet. It’s real people. Real stories. Real impact,” concluded Bobbi.

What happens over the next 30 years? “We want to grow our current endowment funds. We want to inspire our next generation of donors. We also want to focus on areas of greatest impact,” she shared.

“Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or this is your first time hearing about the Foundation, I hope you leave knowing that this community is better because of you,” Bobbi said.
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Blindingly obvious work
 
You know how sometimes something is so obvious that you don’t actually see it?

Well, I just noticed something about the Reflections columns I’ve written in the past few weeks. Since late May, every one of them has included something about aging.

You know, getting older. Being older.

Apparently, my own aging is more on my mind that I realized.

The May 27 column even included this sentence: “If you’re over 70, I’d love to hear how you’re experiencing getting older.”

I got one response, and I really liked it. Here it is.

“Yes, I’m over 70. Grateful for the opportunity to go to work every day, and interact with other busy, productive, happy people. So thankful that my employer doesn’t have a mandatory retirement age. As long as I am able to do my job (ensuring that the company can continue to provide a service appreciated by the community…that it can pay its bills), I will continue to be employed.”

My sentiments exactly!
 
***

Meanwhile, a few days ago I had a conversation with a woman in her early 60s who, last fall, retired from her job with a large organization. For a few months, her life was full of the joys and stressors of welcoming her first grandchild. The baby’s parents had some unique challenges. The woman was glad she could be available to help her daughter and son-in-law–and cuddle her baby grandchild, of course.

The baby’s parents no longer need her help, and she’s realized that–even though her former management job had its stressors–she misses work. Not the specific job. Not even the salary. Just having work–real work, productive work, useful work that makes something better.
 
***

Flashback. My mom has had a series of mini strokes. One morning, in hospital, as my brother and I both happen to be visiting her, she looks up from her pillow and says, “I guess I have to face the fact that I can’t live alone anymore.”

She asks us to do some research about other options. Live-in caregiver? Move to a smaller home or apartment?

She ends up deciding that moving into a seniors’ lodge is the best option. She will have her own private space, and meals will be provided. Most importantly, if she has a heart incident or a stroke, someone will be able to arrange for immediate medical assistance.

On the day Mom is moving into her room at the lodge, one of her granddaughters is helping her. The granddaughter asks, “Do you want me to bring over some more clothes from your house?”

“No,” my mother replies. “That can happen any time. What I need right now is to make sure my computer is hooked up properly so I can connect with the office.”

That means she will still be able to do proofreading, editing and writing from her “home.” She simply cannot imagine her life without work.

Once she has tested the computer system with the office and knows that everything works as it should, she is willing to think about whatever else might be useful in her room.

She continued to work until a few weeks before she died at age 93.
 
***

This may not be true for everyone. But I suspect that for most of us at whatever age or stage, we like to feel that our presence in the world has some value; that in some way we contribute to the world around us. It may be through something we call work; it may be a volunteer activity; it may just be feeling that we are a positive presence on the planet.

I didn’t start out thinking about work this way but have come to believe–work is good for the soul.
 
***

I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within two business days.
Laurel nadon 2019
Homespun By Laurel Nadon

Homespun

By Laurel Nadon

Who needs toys when you have rocks?
 
My kids are used to making do with very little in the way of “toys” on our canoe trips. At most when they were little, they occasionally would bring a small net to catch little pond critters as we paddled along.

Sometimes we would bring along a Frisbee; we always have cards, Uno and journals. Usually the only thing that could remotely be considered a toy was a garden trowel for digging bathroom holes in the back country (lovingly called the pooper scooper), which could also be used to make sand castles at any beaches we camped along.

I have watched my kids make crafts out of scraps they have found at campsites; they have woven mats using cattails, made little benches from chunks of wood, and used their Swiss Army knives to make ladderball games out of sticks and string. At the end of one holiday, we left a ladderball game at a campsite for the next canoers to enjoy.

Essentially, I am used to them having to be imaginative when we are in the wild. Still, I was impressed by the creativity that our kind of trips have created when we went canoeing with friends on the May long weekend. Everyone else in the province must have been either doing yard work or gone camping at a campground, because we had the lake to ourselves except for one motorboat that we saw on the first day. On our second day, we paddled to the far end of the lake where we ate lunch. Then, the two dads got the idea that given the blustery weather, we should use our tarp and paddles to hang onto each other and sail back to camp. I thought they were joking at first, but no. Before too long, we had paddled the two canoes to the middle of the lake, tied the tarp onto two paddles and the moms were in charge of holding on as the wind caught our “sail” in front of both canoes. Of course, everyone in the boats had their opinions on how this should best be done–“Mom, hold higher. Pull the tarp to the side. Don’t let the tarp drop between the canoes, it’s slowing us down!” We laughed like crazy for the first 20 minutes as we clipped along at a steady pace. Then we realized that the husbands, steering at the backs of the canoes, intended to have us sail the whole way across the lake. Eventually, with our arms cramping up as we waited for this experiment to end, the older kids took turns holding up the sail.

Once we had returned to camp and warmed up from our escapades, I ambled into the woods to see what my kids and their friends had gotten up to. They were heaving a large rock in front of them, and then taking turns throwing smaller rocks near the large rock. I asked what they were doing: bocce ball, it turns out. Although they were lacking all of the balls, they had decided that rocks were close enough. They just had to remember what their own rock looked like and its approximate location so they could find it again. Whoever’s rock was closest to the large rock won that round and was given the honour of heaving the large rock to a new spot.

At one point, they took off to find rocks that were a bit rounder that would roll better. They said that I, as an adult, was allowed to play one round with them. At the end of the second round they realized that I was still there (what can I say, sometimes adulting is boring), so I left them to their game. But I was impressed; left without any sort of technology device, board game, stuffy or plastic toy trappings, they had used something that is everywhere to concoct their own game. Who needs toys when you have rocks?

As I dream about summer, I’m looking forward to waking without an alarm clock, swimming as much as possible and going places with my family where we have only rocks for entertainment. That is my kind of holiday.