Parent’s Guide for a Worry-Free Tick Season Tick Safety & Prevention: As we gear up for the 2026 season, my focus is on ensuring every student and young adventurer on the water has a safe, focused experience. Whether they are joining us for Bingemans Grand Canoe Camp, a Youth Paddling session, or one of our […]
Field Notes on the Grand River
Your insider guide to the Grand River. From seasonal wildlife sightings to trip planning tips, get the expert advice you need to plan a safe, memorable escape from the city.
The Quiet Return of the Stratford Swans
The Quiet Return of the Stratford Swans For decades, the first Sunday in April has been a landmark date in our watershed. In Stratford, the annual release of the mute swans from their winter quarters to the Avon River has served as the “official” opening bell for spring. However, 2026 brings a change to this […]
The Sucker Moon: The Grand River’s Hidden Migration
The Sucker Moon: The Grand River’s Hidden Migration While most of the world is looking up at the sky for the “Pink Moon” on April 1, 2026, there is a much older story unfolding just beneath the surface of the Grand River. In the Anishinaabe tradition, this is known as the Sucker Moon (Namebine-giizis). It […]
More Than Just a Summer Camp
More Than Just a Summer Camp Continuing Canada’s Paddling Lineage at Bingemans There is something deeply ingrained in the Canadian spirit about the silhouette of a canoe on a quiet river. For centuries, the canoe was the heartbeat of this land—the vehicle of explorers, a vital tool for Indigenous peoples, and the primary way we […]
Join Grand Experiences at CanCast 2026
Join Grand Experiences at CanCast 2026 Join Grand Experiences at CanCast 2026: Your Gateway to the Grand River The countdown is on! This Sunday, March 29th, the biggest weekend in Canadian fishing arrives in Peterborough, and Grand Experiences will be right in the thick of it. We’re heading to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for CanCast […]
Why This Winter Was a Win
The Hidden Reservoir: Why This Winter Was a Win for the Grand River If you’re looking out at the Grand River this week, you’re seeing a lot of brown water and high banks. But the real story isn’t what’s flowing past Penman’s Dam right now—it’s what’s soaking in beneath your feet. After a winter that […]
Join the 2026 Crew!
Trade Your Desk for the River: Join the 2026 Crew! If the idea of spending your summer under fluorescent lights makes you wince, we have a much better view waiting for you. The 2026 paddling season is fast approaching, and Grand Experiences is officially building our core team. From May to October, we put thousands […]
Upcoming Dates: Nith Whitewater, Paddling Lessons
Upcoming Dates for Nith Whitewater, and Paddling Lessons The 2026 Nith Outlook The Nith River is a seasonal phantom. It doesn’t run all year—it only wakes up when the spring melt and rains align, offering a technical, splashy trek through deep Carolinian forests that feels completely disconnected from the rest of Southern Ontario. Because this […]
Announcement: Grand Experiences is Now Incorporated
Announcement: Grand Experiences is Now Grand Experiences Inc. After 29 years as a sole proprietorship, I am proud to announce that we have officially incorporated as Grand Experiences Inc., and I, Adam Merrifield, am stepping into the role of President & CEO. By formalizing our corporation, we are building a permanent foundation to take this […]
Mastering the J-Stroke
Mastering the J-Stroke The Secret to Effortless Steering on the Grand River If you have ever spent a day zig-zagging down the river, you know the frustration. When you are paddling in the stern of a canoe, there is a natural tendency for the boat to veer away from the side you are paddling on. […]