On assignment, on the St. John River

I have been reporting on the summer camping season at Camp Medley for a decade now, and this is my last summer before I retire.

With that in mind, I tried to come up with a story idea that would be a bit different from what I’ve been doing all these years.

My two best ideas, which came to me in the night, were these:
1.    Job shadow the cook and learn what it takes to put together a meal for 70 people.
2.    Learn how to kayak.

I ran these ideas by the Rev. John Galbraith, camp director and my co-worker.

“Love to see you in a kayak,” he said. “That would have my vote.”

I was afraid of that.

I’ve been cooking and baking since I was 10, so the kitchen option would be familiar. A kayak — not so much. 

In fact, I’d never been in a kayak in all of my 66 years. 

When I was a young teenager, our youth group went to Bennett Lake in Fundy National Park. A few of us rented a row boat for an hour and spent all that time trying to get the hang of using the oars in order to get back to shore within the hour. It was more funny than fun, a bit stressful and, as I recall, quite physically taxing.

That was the one and only time I have been in a self-propelled watercraft. It’s not that I don’t like boats or the water. I just don’t like being so close to the water — and by that I mean right on top of it.

Then there are all the creatures lurking just below the surface. Who knows what’s there? Not me, nor do I want to know. I have largely agreed to stay out of their world.

When I was a kid, I would visit my aunt and uncle’s dairy farm in Hillgrove, and every afternoon, my cousins and I would go for a swim in the brook. 

But we weren’t the only thing swimming. There were minnows and leeches, and I always seemed to attract them. 
It was such an off-putting experience — fish nibbling on my legs, and a leech sucking the blood out of my toe — that once I was an adult, I avoided putting myself in all bodies of water. For the past 35 years or so, I have swum only in pools.

I love beaches, but sticking my feet in at the edge is as far as I will go. 

So when it came to kayaking on the St. John River, you could say I was torn. I was all for trying it out, and I like doing new things. 

But a kayak puts you mere inches from the water surface, and that’s the part that creeps me out.

Nevertheless, I decided it would all be worth it for a good story.

John and assistant camp director Emma Davies set me up with Ben Perry, 16, in his second year at camp, after several years as a camper. 

Ben had taken a canoe course in the spring, and is completely comfortable on the water. His dad, Andrew, was the canoe instructor at Camp Medley in the early 2000s.

After some deliberation, Ben and Emma decided the best way to launch this endeavour was to use a two-person kayak. I was, not surprisingly, in complete agreement.

I will say, having survived the endeavour, that getting in the kayak might have been the most difficult part, at least logistically. 

But I digress. Off we went, Ben and I, on the St. John River. Ben taught me how to use the paddle effectively, how to move right and left, even how to back up. 

After paddling out to the edge of the main channel, I had a brief moment of fright, wondering exactly what was under me (nothing but darkness, untold depths and unknown creatures), and I quickly asked to spend the rest of the time closer to the banks, and Ben was understanding. 

We paddled through lots of vegetation, lily pads and even water lilies, but the current was not so strong there. I even began to relax. 

At one point Ben asked if I wanted to go back in and switch to my own kayak.

Nope.

In all, we were out probably less than a half-hour, and most of the time was spent close to the shore, but it was pleasant and calm, and I cautiously enjoy it. 

I can easily see why people love being on the water. It is an escape, the same way flying in a hot air balloon is — something I have done without hesitation several times and love!

Safely back on shore, we had a chat. Getting out was easier than getting in, by the way.

It seems that campers like kayaking better than canoeing, though the camp has both.

“One-hundred per cent,” said Ben. 

“Especially the little ones,” said Emma. “Canoes are better for longer trips.”

Even so, older campers and their instructors do take both kayaks and canoes across the river to the old TCH, now Route 105. A round trip can be done in about 35 minutes.

Emma has done her share of both kayaking and canoeing, with and without campers, and simply loves being on the water.

“It’s so peaceful and beautiful,” she said, adding she enjoys seeing fish, beavers and other wildlife.

As for introducing kids to the water, “It’s pure joy. They get to do something they’ve never done before.”

Ben, too, has found his happy place on the river. 

“It’s super calm and chill,” he said. “At the same time, it super fun and exciting. There are so many things we can do to keep it fun.”

In fact, the two discussed plans for the following day — tipping canoes, not only for fun, but to help kids become comfortable with and in the water.

As I reported back to John on the relative success of my endeavour, he shared some memories of his time at camp long ago.

“When I was a canoe instructor, we’d canoe across the river, get out on the Trans-Canada Highway and sing to the cars: Skinamarinky Dinky Do.”

Why?

“Just because we could,” he said. “One day Bishop Nutter drove by while we were singing! We don’t do half the stuff now we used to do!”

So, to conclude, I did get in a kayak and helped to paddle it on the St. John River. I was more comfortable close to shore among the weeds, and I did not want to pilot my own kayak, nor, I am certain, will I ever want to.

But I did it, and I am glad I did.

And finally, Camp Medley has had a successful season with lots of happy kids who have learned about God; a stellar staff; good weather and great food!

Gisele McKnight is, for now, the editor of the NB Anglican, and the diocesan communications officer.

Photo captions:
Diocesan communications officer Gisele McKnight and Camp Medley canoe instructor Ben Perry on the St. John River this summer. Emma Davies photos

Sunset on the St. John river at Camp Medley. Ben Perry photo