Programming

Archery

This 60-minute lesson gives everyone a chance to learn the basics of a bow and arrow and then try to get that bullseye. At the end of the week, groups are encouraged to send their best archer to compete in a camp-wide shoot-off. 

Climbing Wall

Surrounded by forest, our climbing wall offers challenges to all kinds of climbers— first-time climbers as well as experienced climbers. The 90-minute lesson will take you through all aspects of climbing from safety to techniques. For those wishing to stay closer to the ground, or just looking for a different challenge, our Bouldering Wall offers a climbing experience just a few feet from the ground. Closed-toe shoes are required. 

Kayaking

Another great way to explore Lake Kennabi. The 60-minute lesson covers basic skills and safety and re-enforces them in a game/challenge setting. Like sailing, upon completion of this lesson you are encouraged to book kayaks for additional use. If your group can’t get enough kayaking, ask about our advanced lessons where our instructors will guide your group through rolls and rescues.

Low Ropes Course

Located directly beside our Climbing Wall, this 60-minute session is a great way for your group to bond and work as a team. Your instructor will lead you through the course through an amusing role-playing activity. This activity is fun for everyone involved—even those watching. Closed-toe shoes are required. 

Outtripping - New Program!

This program is technically not brand new to HSR, but it’s not something we have offered in a long time. In the outtripping program, our instructor(s) will take your group on hikes all around our property. They can be any length from a half-day hike to overnight. We have many trails with various terrain to explore on our 5,000 acre property.

Scouters must always be present and keep ratio with their youth. Booking for this program will only be done at check-in at camp (or during your stay at camp). This program will not be a part of program booking at this time.

Rappelling Cliff

Experience the thrill of being high in the air. Conquer your fear of heights. Enjoy a panoramic view from the top of a cliff in the reserve. In this 90-minute session, you will progress from learning techniques on the ground to rappelling with a backup. The rappelling cliff provides a unique challenge for any individual. Closed-toe shoes and long pants are required! 

Airsoft Rifle Range - New Program!

We will now be offering an Airsoft Rifle Range! Youth ages 11 and up are able to participate. This program is also eco-friendly with biodegradable pellets.

Sadly, this does mean we are no longer offering the regular rifle range program we have had for many years. Youth will still need Permission to Shoot forms to participate.

The Rifle Range provides everyone with a thorough introduction to airsoft rifles on a 20 yard range. The 60-minute program covers parts of the rifle as well as marksmanship. There is a camp-wide shoot-off competition at the end of the week during Friday afternoon. A signed parental permission to shoot form must be submitted for anyone under the age of 18. Youth under the age of 11 cannot participate in this program. 

Sailing

Lake Kennabi is the perfect place to learn how to sail. In this half day lesson, youth can learn the art of sailing, from tacking and jibbing, to using the rudder; from the importance of the dagger-board (don't forget to put it in!) to how to rescue a boat! Campers get to practice their skill using proper knots and safety techniques; how to read wind off the water; how to avoid the boom (duck!); and how to work as a team to achieve sailing greatness. Afterwards, you are welcome to book the sailboats for additional use. 

Snorkelling

Unfortunately, we had to close this program in 2023 due to limited staff. We are hoping to have this program open again in 2024!

This 60-minute program quickly moves from equipment and safety to exploring the depths of Lake Kennabi. There are a ton of sunken treasures in our snorkel hole once you’ve explored them try some of our invigorating snorkeling challenges.

Star Hike

Instructors will pick your group up at your site after dark and take you to the middle of the lake. Seeing the stars from the middle of the lake is a truly unique experience! On a clear night this superb location allows the opportunity to view individual stars, constellations, galaxies, and deep sky objects not normally visible in populated areas. Even on cloudy nights our hike can explore the night skies, find and listen to stories of constellations and various myths, and travel through time learning about from the cultures that held the skies in awe. 

Dress comfortably and warmly so that you don’t miss a thing. We will return you to your site late at night, so it is best not to plan any early morning activities the next day. 

Stand-Up Paddleboards

Another great way to explore Lake Kennabi. The 60-minute lesson covers basic skills and safety and re-enforces them in a game/challenge setting. Like kayaking, upon completion of this lesson you can book the boards for the evening. 

Survival Island

Located on Pine Island in the middle of Lake Kennabi, this 60-minute survival lesson will take your entire group through strategies and techniques for surviving in the bush. From shelter building to food gathering, the survival lesson gives you the tools to survive in the wild. 

Trapper's Cabin

This authentic trapper’s cabin will take you back to a place where trapping and logging ruled these lands. This 60-minute lesson will give a brief history of the camp and different types of trapping and logging techniques. There are many old artifacts from Lake Kennabi and the surrounding area on display. 

Advanced Star Hikes

We have a new program using telescopes! Join us in looking at the stars and planets using Heritage 150 Tabletop Dobsonian telescopes. Check out the star charts and see what you can find in the sky! We will teach you how to use the telescopes and where to look for stars and planets. The telescopes are fragile and must be used carefully. Listen diligently to the instructors and be patient for when it is your turn to look through the telescope. 

This program is extremely weather dependent. We cannot operate this program on rainy or cloudy nights (can't see the stars through the clouds unfortunately).

Badge/Patch Trading - Tuesday evenings

This very popular activity takes place every Tuesday evening at the Hub. Don’t forget to bring your traders! As a hint, Canadian District/Area badges and U.S. Council Strips are both popular. What a great way to meet and share the scouting spirit! Come out and meet other groups and see all the cool badges/patches/crests people have to show and to trade!

Waterfront Regatta - Thursday afternoons

Every Thursday afternoon a regatta (a set of boating and swimming races) is organized at the on the waterfront by the Program Centre. A plaque is presented to the winning Scout and Venturer groups at the camp wide campfire on Friday evening. Scouts can participate in the Venturer category (and cannot swap back and forth) but Venturers cannot participate in the Scout category.

Events: In-and-Out Canoe race, sculling canoe race, kayaking, medley swim race, reef knot swim race, voyageur canoe race, etc. (events are subject to change).

Please note that other programming is not offered on Thursday afternoons. 

Riflery & Archery Shoot Offs - Friday afternoons

Friday afternoon at 1:30PM, one Scout, one Venturer Scout, and one Scouter from each site are eligible to compete the camp shoot-off at the archery and rifle ranges. 

Please note that other programming is being offered during Friday afternoons. Don't double book yourself!

Campwide Campfire - Friday evenings

This is the culmination of a week of fun. The campfire is held at Smokey Hollow every Friday evening at dusk. Since you must return your canoes on Friday evening anyway, why not stay for the campfire. Come prepared with a song or skit. Good taste and the Scouting Spirit set the tone for the campfire. We will transport you to your site after the campfire (unless you are staying on Twister Point or Rover's Rest - your group will walk back to site).

Hiking

Several hiking trails have been marked throughout the Reserve. They vary in length from a half-an-hour’s walk to longer expeditions. Several outpost campsites are located on several of our other lakes.

If your group is going on a hike or to an outpost site, you MUST inform our program staff of your intended route and timing. Our staff can help your youth complete a trip plan. Follow Scouts Canada safety standards. 

Fishing

Smallmouth Bass are often called the best fighting fish for its size! We have a policy of “barbless” hooks and the Reserve encourages a “catch and release” philosophy. The provincial Fishing Regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 15 (HSR area) are also at www.ontario.ca/page/fishing. Everyone must follow the catch-limit and possession-limits of their license. 

Voyageur Canoes

These oversized canoes allow 11 campers a chance to paddle a canoe like the explorers of 100 years ago used to do. With three canoes available, you can take as many people as you want out to explore the lake. Available from the Program Centre, these canoes can be used from dawn to dusk each day except Thursday afternoon when they are used in the Regatta.

Geocaching

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using a GPS or a GPS-enabled device. We have a few caches set up on the reserve. You navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the cache hidden at that location. Coordinates are available from the program centre. Scouters must let us know if you are going on this treasure hunt.

Remember there is a slight “error” to every GPS device due to technological limitations. Your device can get you close to the cache, but you will have to look around for the actual cache. When you find the cache, sign the logbook, and return it to the cache. You can take an item from the cache if you like—just make sure to leave something of equal or greater value in its place. When you are finished, put the cache back exactly as you found it, even if you think you see a better spot for it!

Swimming

If you are interested in booking a time to swim at the H-Dock. Please speak with our Program Coordinators to ensure we have sufficient lifeguards available. Scouts Canada Safety Standards must always be followed at your site.