Every summer my husband and I take our children camping in some of the beautiful provincial parks we have here in Ontario. We aim to try out at least one new park, as well as return to a family favourite, where the kids have already begun to create lasting memories. Since we live in Toronto, there are abundant choices for parks within just a couple of hours of us in all directions. We have Pinery to the west, Killbear to the North, Sandbanks to the east, and Long Point to the south (just to name a few) - all of which feature one of The Great Lakes, and clean, soft, sandy beaches. I feel so fortunate to be able to enjoy these parks with my family, especially now that the kids are at such great ages and experience everything fully.
We just returned from our first trip of the year, and it was to Sandbanks. We had a wonderful time kayaking and hiking, dune-running and star-gazing, building sandcastles and campfires. Sandbanks features the best beach I've been to yet: almost tropically soft sand (the result of being made by shells versus rocks), with lots of space to spread out or throw the Frisbie around, and the water is so shallow for so far out that we never had to worry about our kids' safety for even a second.
Toward the end of August we'll be hitting the road again for another camping adventure, this time to Killbear Provincial Park. This will be our 4th time going to Killbear, and it's the breathtaking scenery there that keeps us coming back year after year. Our favourite hiking trail features views of the neighbouring islands from a cliff-top vantage point, and the sunset as seen from the climbing rocks in Beaver Dams campground has been the setting of some of our favourite pictures ever. We are so pumped to go back. Can't wait.
I am so grateful for all my camping memories, both old and new. Some of the fondest memories I have are from camping vacations my family would take when my siblings and I were young. I look back on them often, my heart warming with nostalgia every time. Those memories inform my choices now, 20 years later, when it comes to planning adventures for my own family. It thrills me to no end to see the same wonder and joy that camping has provided me over the years being passed along to my children. Their love for camping is already so clear. Bring on the next one!
