Project REACH @ Wendigolake - TRIP 1

Wendigo Lake was formerly known as Project DARE and until approx 10 years ago was a government run wilderness therapy centre for young men assigned to open custody. When the government proposed to close the centre it was bought out privately and now operates as Wendigo Lake Inc which encompasses 10 open custody young men (known as the LOBO crew) and 10 youth at risk ( known as the OSPREY crew). I have arranged to volunteer on the two canoe trips organised in August with the Osprey Crew. The Osprey Crew operate Project Reach, the principles of which are Responsibility, Effort, Attitude, Community & Honour. I've just returned from my first trip with them and have had a fantastic time. I've learnt so much from the staff I've been on trip with and have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly the Osprey crew accepted me as part of the team. The trip leader was Andrew and co-instructors were Gord[ and his dog Rebel ]& Nolan. Also on trip was Rob who is an instructor from also from England who has been over here for several months volunteering. Due to particularly bad behaviour on the previous trip this one stayed local in Algonquin Park. The original route changed several times due to various factors and although I haven't yet worked it out I would be willing to bet we portaged almost as much as we paddled. The young guys in Project Reach ranged from ages 14 to 17 and it goes without saying that they have all been in trouble with the police, drugs etc. Some have been in young offenders institutes and some in rehab centres. Many have been referred by CSA ( Child Services Agency ) and are in childrens homes or foster care. Some are private paying clients however and have been sent by parents, literally at their wits end. The guys enter the program at Grey Jay level and work their way up through Otter, Wolf & Bear. Each level being noted by a different coloured wrist band on which is inscribed 'try a different way'. The program is very much a group therapy and from what I have seen is very successful. There have also been a number of studies into various programs over the years which have shown it to be very effective - see webpage for more details. So anyway, our trip. Out of a crew of 10 we had 7 on the trip. One guy at Bear level was on a home visit ( from Wolf level they start to integrate home visits as part of the program ), and two flatly refused to come on trip. One of these was very new and had not been on a trip before, the other has been in the program a while but is obviously struggling with some issues at the moment. Of the seven that came on trip ( we started with 6 and one joined us on day3 ), for one it was the first trip and 2 of the others are at Wolf level. Here is a very brief day by day summary of the trip [ for a more detailed trip report ask Adi to forward you the email I sent him...] I haven't sorted all the photos out yet and for obvious reasons am not allowed to publish any which would allow the young people to be identified.
DAY 1
Breakfast at 8am and despite the fact it is only 30minutes to the put in we don't get on the water until 3.30pm. Multiple crew refuse to get out of bed, then refuse to come on trip. We leave Wendigo Lake with 6 out of the 8 who should be coming ( 2 are on home leave ). On arriving at the put in 2 guys refuse to get out of the van. After much to-ing and fro-ing we are all on the water eventually. Bad language is a huge problem for one particular young lad and we end up in several group discussions. Discussions can be called by staff or student for any number of reasons eg. bad language, staff or peer disrespect, horseplay, safety issues etc. This involves all the staff and crew standing (or sitting if in boats ). Sunglasses need to be removed and if anyone spits in the circle, the circle must be moved. The person who has called for the discussion explains why and the crew are invited to take accountability for their actions. If this is not done then other members may hold them accountable. The discussion is then open for peers and staff to give feedback and ultimately a consequence will be given. Consequences vary depending on the 'crime' and could be extra chores or a time OP ( Off Privileges - this means that they are not allowed to wear own clothes etc. listen to music or any other privileges that have been earned. On trip this means that they must spend time at their OP Tree reflecting on what they have done and miss out on swim or fish time etc.) Finally arrived at camp and we all set up tents - we have three tents, one for staff and two for the group. Tent groups for the crew change everyday and tent groups are not announced until they are all set up. We all go for a swim ( except those on OP trees ) have supper and it's off to bed. Based on past experience of camping with teenagers, sleep deprivation was my biggest fear on this trip but i needn't have worried. These guys love sleeping and since they trip twice a month and sleep in a dorm together there is no novelty factor. An hour after they are quiet we are allowed to go to bed.


Day2
Andrew the trip leader radios into base and is informed that we need to stay put for the day. Thunder storms are forecast and we need to wait for one of the crew to join us and also for base to get medication to us for one of the crew who has run out. Staff are concerned as to how a lay-over day this early in the trip will go. Turns out to be a great day with only a few discussions and relatively little problems. The guys fish, we all go swimming and play games in the woods. For all the issues these guys are dealing with, at heart they are a great bunch of guys and when they are on form are really fun to be with.

Day3
We are on the move today albeit on a different route from originally planned due to the fact we have lost so much time already. We have a 1.9km of portage today and this caused a few behaviour challenges which are overcome eventually. Some of these guys are really strong and portage a boat and a pack at the same time - when they put their minds to it they are an impressive team. It's hot and humid and tempers fray at times but overall it's really good. We have another lovely campsite for more swimming and fun. We are joined later in the day by an extra crew member who was on home leave and the ( by now much needed ) required medication. The midges are really bad tonight - these guys call them 'no-see-ums' ! Another good day and our trip leader sings for us when the crew are all in their tents. He has a great voice and we all enjoy his singing - their favourite is American Pie !


Day4
A very slow start to the day, mostly because there was too much water in the scrambled eggs which took a while to sort out and by then the crew were pretty lethargic and unwilling to do their various chores in order to get on the water. Chores are allocated each day and these are as follows ; breakfast, lunch, dinner, suncream, FRU ( friggin' remnants unclaimed ) patrol, water collection, bear float ( putting all food in barrels and floating at end of day ), tooth brushing ( ensuring all crew brush teeth and put toothpaste in barrel for bear float ), leader of the day and floater. Of course since there are only 7 on trip some jobs have to be picked up by others. Eventually we head off and are faced with 2 portages - 740m and 2.6km and due to the time of departure it looks like this will be happening in the hottest part of the day. Crew was ACE today. Everyone really pulled it out of the bag on the portages and despite the heat and humidity everyone did a great job and was very determined. Another couple of fun hours swimming at camp. Supper took a little longer than expected due to an unfortunate - yet predictable - incident with the macaroni which ended up with macaroni being picked up off the ground litter ally piece by piece and being 'cleaned - ish' before being cooked. Oh well. A little bit hard work to get the crew to tidy up camp before bed but it has been a long day.

Day5
3 portages today - 1.5km, 1.2km and 750m - separated by a couple of ponds that we could have swam across. I seriously feel like I'm on a hiking trip and have brought my canoe along by mistake. Portaging goes well but tempers are short today and we have quite a few discussions but nothing major. More fun swimming. Andrew tells the group that we have short day tomorrow and gives them some options ; either 1 ) get up early, get portaging over with and have more time to chill at camp site, 2) get up normal time or 3) have a lie in All except one vote for a lie in and head to bed. Andrew regrets giving them the option, we all set our watches forward an hour and agree to get up at normal time. ( They are not allowed watches or to see the map as this information would aid them in any AWOL efforts )



Day6
The crew wake up feeling refreshed after their 'lie-in'. We bang out the portages and short paddles and are at our next camp in good time. This is the best afternoon yet. Everyone has so much fun playing in the water and then later games in the woods. The sun is really hot and the guys get two upturned canoes and start playing submarines. They fill a canoe with water to try and create a 'hot tub' and bury each other in the sand. It's a really wonderful atmosphere with lots of laughter. One or two discussions but really it's been another great day.


Day7
Up early today in order to get to our rendevous point for 10am. We have no problems in motivating the crew as they are all eager to get back to camp for showers, phone calls, and are looking forward to having their meals cooked for them again. It's been a terrific experience for me and I've had a lot of fun on the trip and pleased that I'll get the chance to go on trip with them again before I leave Canada.