You’re Invited: Ontario Outdoors’ Fun This Family Day Weekend Feb.18-20, 2012

Outdoor exercise + spending more time in nature = very beneficial to our health.

Conservation Ontario informs us that (according to Rideau Valley Conservation Authority) one visit to a Conservation Area is equal to a visit to:

  • an oxygen bar
  • massage therapist
  • detox program
  • personal trainer
  • stress management counselor
  • aromatherapist
  • and a naturopath

Also, you can have fantastic fun this Family Day Weekend in the great Canadian outdoors at the following events in Ontario from February 18 – 20, 2012:

You're Invited: Outdoors Fun This Family Day Weekend Feb.18-20, 2012
You're Invited: Outdoors Fun This Family Day Weekend Feb.18-20, 2012

  • Join in on the fun at Conservation Areas across Ontario! Ontario’s “more than 270 Conservation Areas are natural playgrounds that offer up inexpensive winter fun for the whole family to enjoy!” Great Family Day events at Conservation Areas on Monday, 20 February, include:
    • Kortright Centre for Conservation, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
      “Get outdoors and spend a fun Family Day at Kortright!Take part in a winter nature hike, build a snowman, or just take in the cold crisp air.

      Don’t forget to pop in at the Kortright Cafe for a warm hot chocolate or treat the whole family to a delicious pancake breakfast!”

      For more info, visit Kortright Centre Website or call (905) 832-2289.

    • Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
      “For a great afternoon of winter activities, bring family and friends to Scanlon Creek Family Fun Day!Please meet in the Nature Centre parking lot at 1:00 pm.

      There will be two kick sled outings at 1:30 and 2:45 pm; nature hikes at 1:30 and 2:45 pm; snowshoeing, a scavenger hunt, games, and a bonfire.

      Indoors at the Nature Centre will be a children’s craft area and hot chocolate and cookies.

      To help Scanlon Creek CA maintain their programming, there will be a box set up in the Nature Centre with a recommended donation of $10 per family.

      For more info, contact Brenda Winter at (905) 895-1281 ext. 263.

    • Tiffin Centre, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
      Join Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority for fun activities for gown-ups and kids of all ages at the Tiffin Centre!

      Admission is $5 per person, kids ages 5 and under are free.

      • Bring your skates and helmets for a spin on the pond
      • Try out the Tiffin Centre’s equipment and snowshoe, kick- sled, or geocache
      • Enjoy a bonfire with hotdogs and cocoa
      • Help support our natural environment- adopt a maple syrup bucket
    • Westfield Heritage Village, 12:30 pm-4:00 pmCome to Westfield Heritage Village on Family Day and learn how our climate has affected how we work, play, travel, build our homes, socialize, dress, eat and… survive!

      While you’re in the village, make yourself comfortable at the Ironwood restaurant, take in a lesson at the 1845 log schoolhouse, visit the general store for a sweet treat, or be a guest at an Upper Canadian wedding.

      Admission: Adults: $8:50, Seniors/Disabled: $7.50, Children $5.50. Children 5 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE.

      For more information, please call 1-800-883-0104 or visit Westfield Heritage Village website.

  • Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, 8:00 am-noon

    A bird banding workshop will take place at the Scanlon Creek Conservation Area Nature Centre with Nigel Shaw, renowned nature artist and expert bird bander.

    • Nigel will begin the workshop indoors at the Nature Centre with a power point presentation and following will be a discussion period.
    • At 9:00 a.m., the group will go outdoors and watch Nigel retrieve the birds for banding. If the weather is too cold, Nigel can do the bird banding indoors.
    • The birds that will be banding in this series are the small winter feeder birds: chickadees, winter finches, maybe some woodpeckers.
    • After the bird banding, Nigel will lead the group on a short walk-about around Scanlon Creek.
    The cost is $15.00 per person and $50.00 for a family of four. To register, please call Judy Milner at 905-895-1281 ext. 241. All fees must be paid in advance. For additional information on the workshop, please call Brenda Winter at 905-895-1281 ext. 263

Ontario, Canada: Newsroom

NEWS RELEASE

Ice Fish For Free This Family Day Weekend

February 15, 2012

McGuinty Government Encourages Families to Enjoy The Outdoors

Ontario residents can fish licence-free this Family Fishing Weekend, which runs from February 18 to 20.

Here are a few of the ice fishing events families can enjoy this coming weekend:

  • come out to Quetico Provincial Park in Atikokan February 18 at noon for an afternoon of fishing and skating on French Lake
  • the Rice Lake Ice Fishing Hut Hop in the Bewdley and Gore’s Landing area on February 19 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • take part in the Manitouwadge Family Fishing Derby at Lion’s Beach on February 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; all children who participate will receive a prize
  • the Ottawa Region Walleye League’s Kids’ Ice Fishing Event on February 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information on these and other events, visit the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

QUOTES

“Whether it’s your first time or you’re an old pro at ice fishing, Family Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to get outdoors with your family and enjoy some winter fun. Come out and see why some anglers say fishing is even better in the winter.”

 – Michael Gravelle
Minister of Natural Resources

“Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to take your friends or family ice fishing this winter. There are events being held across the province over the Family Day long weekend, all designed to introduce aspiring anglers to this classic Canadian winter activity.”

 – Mike Reader
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Executive Director

QUICK FACTS

  • Approximately 1.3 million anglers fish in Ontario each year and spend $2.5 billion in the province annually.
  • This year, Canadian residents can fish without a licence in Ontario from February 18 to 20 and in the summer from July 7 to 15.
  • Even during licence-free fishing events, you need to follow the catch limits.