“This program helped in explaining various coping techniques used, which is good for me as I already am coping decently well. It qualified a few things I already do and helped enhance/sharpen some that I’ve been working on. It’s hard to explain but I’ve always wondered at times if I am coping with things normally as things that affect others don’t always have any impact on me. By putting words to things that I do, especially coming from [those] guys (who put things like this to the absolute test) it just makes me more confident”
— Dumoine River 2018
“This program has provided me with tools to better combat operational stress, as well as provided me with tools and techniques to help aid in recovery. I can honestly say that I learned something from each and every person on the trip, which I wasn’t expecting. I learned mental resiliency skills and that having a sense of humour is important. I learned team building skills and how to better work with others. I learned that it is ok to ask for help sometimes and it is not a sign of weakness to accept help”
— Bugaboos 2019
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Before I went on the trip I was feeling myself going down a dark path and I didn’t know a way back. I was negative and pessimistic about everything. I was too quick tempered and was living a genuinely unhealthy lifestyle. Feeling positive about anything was a struggle. I also didn’t know how to get off the path I was on. After spending a few days with the highly professional guides and inspiring participants, I can now see the terrible decisions I was making. I can also see what I need to do going forward for my recovery”
— Bugaboos 2019
“I never thought that I would be comfortable or would benefit from a group setting...I was very wrong. I found this program extremely helpful. The guides were knowledgeable and provided some very insightful tools to work with. Making the link between “life” and the “river” (ie. taking that eddy to break things down and reassess) really stuck with me. Also very helpful was the fact that we had a great group of people with whom I was able to have meaningful conversations without ever feeling as I was being judged”
— Dumoine River 2020
“The trip reinforced in me how I want to live my life. It reminded me of coping mechanism and healing tools I had either forgot or was neglecting to use. It hit the reset button on my primal instincts and behaviours, like daily exercise, daily laughter and relaxation... along with a healthy diet... Both food AND information. All of modern life distractions were removed, which helped me focus on what’s important for mental and physical well-being. For those who have faced trauma and or struggle with mental health, this trip was an elixir of healing. It has been too long since I have felt so alive”
— Algonquin Park 2021
“There were times on this trip that I was very much out of my comfort zone... I found this trip to be challenging, but in a good way. I realised that I can do more than I ever thought I could. I do wish that the trip could have been longer! Thank you so much”
— Algonquin Park 2021
“I can’t thank you WAC guys enough, I’ll never forget what you did for me”
