This has been a year of many new and exciting things around Bark Lake. One of those being the new installation of the 3-sided Climbing Tower. For many years we have been looking to expand our Adventure Programming, so in partnership with Adventureworks! Associates Ltd and our management team our dreams and wishes came true… Welcome to the new Escarpment Climbing Tower.…
There are plenty of things that scare me; heights, bats (but only if they are inside a building), and student loan officers to name just a few. Last week however I encounter something that was truly terrifying. It wasn’t very big, maybe only 20mm from front to back. Holding it you wouldn’t know it was in your hand, it was that light. You could easily walk past a swarm of…
Happy 20th Birthday, Bark Lake Challenge Course! Bark Lake’s Challenge Course, as it stands today, was first build by Project Adventure Inc. in 1993. It was then, one of the most extensive challenge courses in North America. The course originally had two levels designed for use; one high and one mid range, allowing a number of participants to climb at one time. The course has changed over time, with old…
If you have ever been to Bark Lake Leadership Centre you know our infamous driveway. Bark Lake Drive, from Highway 503 into the Centre, is about 5 kms. long and is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful stretches of forest in the area. Not only are you winding, swerving and dodging your way through, but you can look out your windows and see many wonders! Since my time…
Spring is seen by many as a time of growth and renewal; and it’s no different here at Bark Lake. This year we are doing some renovations to the Balsam Centre. We are in the early stages of moving the store into Balsam Roadside and transforming the old store space into a classroom. Why the change? During the peak of our summer season we may see as many as 200…
Earlier this winter we started showcasing artwork from the ECOAA, the East Central Ontario Art Association. The ECOAA has been visiting us for several years for their Artists’ Retreat. During weekend retreats, the artists have the opportunity to work on their paintings, socialize with each other and hang out at Bark Lake. This January we asked if we could showcase some of their works and they agreed. They gave us…
This morning (ya... we work Saturdays) the General Manager handed me a article from the CBC “Alzheimer’s prevention strategy prescribes exercise” (you can find it by clicking here). According to the article being active for half an hour a day, even if it’s only in 10 minute burst, can reduce the probability of developing Alzheimer’s or other degenerative brain disease by 38%. What sort of activities are they suggesting? Simple…
For those of you who follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook you know we had a booth at this year’s Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show. Over three days we had the opportunity to talk about Bark Lake to more than 25,000 people! For Allison, D’Arcy, Maria, and I this was our first time exhibiting at this particular event... and I must say, it was well worth it. We…
What a crazy past couple of weeks! Temperatures have been all over the place; from the high single digits down to almost -40C. We lost a good chunk of snow but now have about 30cm of ice on the lake. This past weekend we hosted the ECOAA (East Central Ontario Art Association) for their annual winter retreat. Several of the artists have left original artwork of Bark Lake for us…
Well, Karen is at home for a few weeks, Allison is in the Florida Everglades with an out-tripping group; Maria is on her way to India soon for a long awaited vacation. Joe and the other members of the team are off to their homes for the holidays with family and friends. For us... well the Hartman family is planning to stay here and enjoy the beauty of Bark Lake…
