Category: Family Hiking

Head out on a Polar Safari!

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Not all the animals are native to Nova Scotia OR like to be out and about in the snow. 🙂

The animals of the polar safari will be sticking around all week!

Thank you to all who came out to the Polar Safari Hike on Sunday, February 16th. We had so much fun; I heard kids ask to do it again! 

The animals will stay “on display” for the next week if you wish to bring the family out on safari. The location is at the old Arcadia School  – Tkipok Trail.

Where DO frogs spend the winter? There are some animals from other continents: what are they?

Please note that the animals may not stay put and will likely stray from their current locations so visit soon! Watch your step if there is snow, ice or slush on the trail. We did not use any boardwalks or stairs due to potential for falls. The animals did not want anyone startled by their appearance on slippery areas!

Do all bears like cold weather? Do they sleep all winter in Nova Scotia?

Family Winter Hiking Series

Join us for a series of guided family hikes this winter that are guaranteed to be fun for the whole family! Click on the header to be taken to the Event listing for each hike and let us know you are interested or coming.

Wizards of Winter

Don’t wait for your letter from Hogwarts before you climb onto platform 93/4 for an outdoor adventure! Whether you are into mixing potions, creating powerful spells, are a secret Animagus, or simply a muggle who enjoys the woods, this hike is for you!

January 26th at 1pm at the Hebron Recreation Complex

Polar Safari

This daring trek across icy terrain will yield sights never seen around these parts! Expect to see polar bears, penguins, snowy owls, and maybe a Beluga whale! You will need very keen eyes and maybe even binoculars to catch a glimpse of these never-seen animals!

February 16th at 1pm at the Tkipok Trail in Arcadia.

Chasing Rainbows Family Fun Hike

There may not always be gold at the end of the rainbow but we will have fun on the journey to get there! Themed scavenger hunts, parachute games and more will be part of this hiking activity. It’s the perfect place to wear that unicorn costume hiding in the back of your closet!

March 21st at 1pm at Broad Brook Park (meet at the Trail Head off of Forest St)

These hikes can count towards a challenge badge in Hike Nova Scotia’s Hiker Challenge! Check out the challenges, badges and chances to WIN here!

Got snow? Try our Cross Country Skis or Snowshoes!

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We (Heart) Snow!Yarmouth Recreation has a variety of cross country ski equipment as well as snowshoes to fit almost any member of your family! With the snow starting to fall, think about dropping by our office and getting outfitted to try out a fun new winter activity! FREE!

Office hours are 8:30-4:30, M-F and you can drop in and select your equipment and take it to try anywhere! Our trails, parks and backyards make wonderful new adventures in the snow!

The Friends of Ellenwood also have skis and snowshoes available for use in the park along with kilometers of groomed trails! They maintain cabin hours every weekend there is snow on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm. Check out their website for more information and follow them on Facebook.

Are you interested in some ski instruction? Sign up with Yarmouth Recreation and once we get a good snow forecast and can schedule a course , we will give you a call. Our cross country ski courses are great no matter your age and ability, come with all equipment, and are completely free of charge!

Super Blood Wolf Moon Hike

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January’s full moon is pretty exciting!

It is a Super Moon; meaning the moon is closer than usual to earth and it will appear quite large as it rises over the horizon.

The January full moon is referred to as the Wolf Moon as those native to this land and early settlers could hear hungry wolves howl outside their villages.

Even more rare, is the fact that it is a Blood Moon. This means that the full lunar eclipse happening late on September 20th into the early morning hours of the 21st will produce a moon appearing red in colour.

Join Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Hiking Adventures (YASHA), The Friends of Ellenwood Park and Yarmouth Recreation for a Full Moon Hike on Sunday, January 20th at 7pm. We will meet at the entrance to Ellenwood Park and hike in and through the park with what we hope is a spectacular view of the Full Wolf Moon. Because the eclipse does not begin until 11:30 pm and max at 1:12 am, we will leave that to you to follow up on. It is fully viewable in North America so worth waiting up for if you are able and the night is clear. Dress for the weather and the walking surface. We will have limited pairs of snowshoes available if that is an option. A fire will be on in the ski cabin to warm up before we make the trek out. Please watch our Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates.

On the Trail Family Fun Activities

Hiking with kids is good for a variety of reasons and opens up a whole new world to explore. Most of the time can be spent simply seeing, smelling, hearing, touching and, ..well maybe not tasting, your new surroundings. Coming across small wildlife, beautiful flowers, peculiar insects while navigating different terrain is very exciting for all ages!

Sometimes we need ideas to encourage children to explore in a different way. In our Family Fun Hike series we lead a number of mini-games along the way to look at nature in a different way. Our Fall Family Fun Hikers tried a few activities this October in Ellenwood Provincial Park:

Caterpillar Search 

A photo scavenger hunt from a caterpillars view on the world.

We took several close-up photos of things we can find along the trail. Each child was provided a sheet and crayon to check them off. Kids love to talk about what the world would look like it they were very small. Get down and close to natural spaces along the trail and imagine where you would live, what you would eat and what kind of fun things might you do?

 

Meet a Tree Friend

You will need to pair up for this and you will need one vision mask (a sleep mask from the $$ Store will do the trick).

One person should put the mask on while their partner scopes out a tree close by (don’t let them know which one you pick!)

Take your masked partner carefully over to your selected tree and introduce them. You can make up cool names, of course, and any other personality info you like. The masked partner should to know the tree by touching the bark, feeling the ground near, the tree, smelling any smells, etc.  Go back to your start point on the trail and remove the mask.  Can you find the tree you just met?

Switch places and meet a new tree friend!

Paint Nature with Nature 

You won’t need a paintbrush – just your imagination!

There are some blank canvasses that need your artistic talents! Select natural objects from the space around (please don’t take anything something is still using! Like bark from a living tree) and “paint” a picture in the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell us about your experience if you try these activities with your kids! What are your favorite places to explore?  Watch for our Family Fun November Hike to be scheduled soon!

Family Fall Fun Hike

Join Yarmouth Recreation on Saturday, October 6th at 12:30pm for a free Family Activity Hike at Ellenwood Provincial Park.

There is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.

Family friendly hiking, games & activities, and give-aways!

Ellenwood Park, October 6th, 12:30 – 2pm

Meet at the last parking lot near the public beach at 12:30 pm. The trail is approximately 2 km and we will be hiking “family-friendly style”! (Lots of stopping with activities along the way). The trail IS difficult to hike with a stroller so if you have a carrier, we would recommend it for small children.

 

Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. The trail is sometimes wet in spots so bring extra socks and shoes if you wish. Layered clothing is a good choice for our ever-changing weather.

 

 

 

Kids around campfireFollowing the hike at 2pm the Friends of Ellenwood Park are hosting a CAMPFIRE and MARSHMALLOW ROAST. Come and experience a classic Canadian outdoor tradition beside our beautiful lake!  It’s a wonderful way to begin the Thanksgiving weekend together with the kids or grandkids. The fire pit is right across from the ski cabin and children’s playscape and the Park gate will be open. Newcomers to the area are most welcome. Marshmallows (halal) and toasting sticks will be provided. Bring a story to share and be sure to bring the whole family!

 

Everyone welcome! Let us know you’re coming so we can keep in touch with any updates.