The Sleeping Dog Blog is brought to you by Southern Ontario Outdoors where you find information and destinations related to your favorite Southern Ontario outdoors activity.
We strive to bring you items of interest related to North American wildlife species, wildlife conservation, and sustainable wildlife management. And, of course, LETTERS TO SMED.
Enjoy your visit. We look forward to your comments.
Copyright to all works published on this site are owned by Sleeping Dog Marketing.
Geocaching – that high tech game of hide and seek – isn't just for adults. "I'm booorrrred", a refrain that all parents dread…especially during the family vacation! Let's face it, it isn't easy keeping the kids entertained all day long and how about some time for you too. So why not get creative and break out the GPS for the kids.
Kids these days tend to grasp the intricacies of electronic devices like we used to grasp kicking a beach ball or throwing a Frisbee. Set up a course around your cottage or campsite with treasures hidden in each place. You can make the course as long or short as you like but it will keep idle minds active for quite awhile, especially when you know just what treasures will pique their interest. Here are a few suggestions that will make it a bit easier:
Let the age of your kids determine the length and complexity of the course.
Pre-program all the waypoints and show them how to navigate from one to the other.
Choose an area that is relatively free of biting insects.
Give them a list of things they will find at each set of coordinates.
Encourage them to use navigational terminology like coordinates, waypoints, etc.
Be sure the last set of coordinates is your home base…we just want them busy for awhile and want them to find their way back home easily.
Give them a set of clues for each cache and, again, let their ages determine how well hidden the caches will be.
Give them some questions to answer about each location that will help them learn about the outdoors
Make his a fun experience and you'll not only get the kids active but they will be learning about our great Southern Ontario outdoors at the same time. Have a safe and happy summer season wherever you are in Southern Ontario.
There is simply no better gift that you can give your child than to share Southern Ontario's great outdoors. Even infants will love the chance to explore new territory and getting dirty is a bonus. But parents of toddlers and infants also need to be vigilant to ensure that children are safe in their surroundings.
This can be a difficult task even at home, but on the trail or in the bush it is essential. Of course there are the obvious dangers that can result in scrapes, bruises, or sprains but there are also those that can result in severe illness or even death. Many of these dangers are hidden under the guise of beautiful plants or insects. You as a responsible parent need to take the time to educate yourself about the hazards in your area and what to do about them.
Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus; ticks can transmit Lyme Disease; and the venom from wasps, bees and hornets can cause a life threatening allergic reaction, especially if multiple stings are inflicted. Plants to watch out for include daisy, periwinkle, poison ivy, poison oak, nightshade, morning glory, some varieties of mushroom, arrowhead, and milkweed. Some of these plants – or parts of them – are edible at certain times of the year and some are even medicinal, in the correct proportions, but unless you are an expert it is best to avoid them all together.
Here are a few tips to help keep your kids safe:
If they have eaten any form of vegetation remove any pieces from their mouth and try to identify it.
If you are able to identify it and it is amongst the poisonous varieties seek medical attention as soon as possible, or call the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800-268-9017.
If you can't identify it or even if it is something you believe to be harmless watch the child closely for several hours so see if any symptoms arise. Symptoms can include being lethargic, trouble breathing, fever, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Don't hesitate to call the Ontario Poison Centre, they can tell what symptoms to watch for.
Know the risk category of the region for things like Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus. There is actually a very low risk of contracting one of these diseases and an even lower risk of serious symptoms developing, but know the symptoms. Take precautions, but don't live in fear of mosquitoes and ticks.
If your child is stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet watch closely for any signs of a reaction. In the event of multiple stings or if symptoms arise, seek medical assistance immediately! For more information read the article titled Bees in the Bush on the Southern Ontario Outdoors camping blog dated June 2009.
"Knowledge is Power"! It simply isn't practical to think that you can protect your kids from all things that may be harmful, but a bit of research will help you keep them safe and happy in our great Southern Ontario Outdoors.
I don’t normally post press releases in this blog but it feels just great to have one of Southern Ontario Outdoor’s key sponsors win some of the most prestigious Economic Development awards in Ontario.This is a true sign that size doesn’t matter as much as determination. Elora and Fergus have become a major Southern Ontario Tourist destination worthy of a visit by everyone.
Front row-Rhoda Lipton, Fran Weima, Aileen Murray-past president EDCO, Samantha Dirksen, Second row-Benny DiZitti, Deb Dalziel, Kelly Waterhouse Third row-Kevin Kroetsch , Karen Thomas, Debbie Rushton, Mayor Joanne Ross Zuj, Councilor Kirk McElwain Fourth row-Deborah Barr, Melanie Ward, Fifth row-David Bar, Garrett Klassen, Dave Rushton
“The Ontario Economic Development Awards took place on Thursday February 4th at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. Elora & Fergus Tourism, Sensational Elora and Grand River Country took top honours in 3 separate categories in best visitor guide, best marketing campaign and best specialty brochure in the provincial tourism marketing categories. The ceremony honours winners and honourable mentions for their efforts in promoting their communities for location and tourism opportunities.
“This year, over 130 entries were judged” stated 2009 EDCO President Lauren Millier. “The competition allows local communities to see just how they stack up against other municipalities when it comes to promoting location, investment & tourism opportunities”.
Expert judges reviewed all of the entries that covered everything from promotional brochures to infrastructure development projects. There are judges from specialized areas of expertise assigned to judge specific categories.
Over 20 tourism partners from Centre Wellington were on hand to accept these awards during the Annual Conference of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. “It is always an honour to accept these awards as the competition is very competitive”, stated Deb Dalziel, Tourism Coordinator for Elora Fergus Tourism. “These awards demonstrate our effectiveness in our economic development and tourism marketing efforts, and provide recognition to so many of our creative and hardworking events and projects in our community. It was especially thrilling to have our Mayor, members of Council and so many partners present to participate in the award ceremonies.
These prestigious awards were especially distinctive as the Honourable David Onley; Lieutenant Governor of Ontario was on hand to personally congratulate all winners including the large delegation from Centre Wellington.
EDCO is the country’s largest provincial economic development association that offers this program as well as professional development opportunities throughout the year. Membership is close to 600 that come from the private and public sector.”
Congratulations to all and keep up the great work.
Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you want to spend the day immersed in nature, casting for trout, or sitting on a frozen lake waiting for a nice pike to make your drag sing, but your significant other has, shall we say…other plans.As I write this post it’s -15c in Southwestern Ontario, the lakes are hard as a rock and the fish are waiting.
Well if your idea of relaxation on a cold winter’s day differs from that of your spouse I just may have the compromise you’re looking for.Head to Belwood Lake near Fergus and Elora. just outside the town of Fergus where you can ply the frozen depths while those less inclined spend a great day browsing the shops and sites of beautiful
Nestled along the scenic banks of the upper Grand River the towns of Fergus and Elora boast unique shops, great scenery, and fantastic restaurants.The towns abound with artisans of all kinds and you’re sure to find something to please any taste.
Belwood Lake is a man-made flood control reservoir administered by the Grand River Conservation Authority and is just upstream of the town of Fergus.Live bait and ice hut rentals are available and the ice fishing is great.As with all good things there is often a downside; it is quite conceivable that you will run out of bait before your spouse runs out of cash and there is always the chance that you could be forgotten altogether.
Oh well, there are plenty of great B&Bs available in the area, so why not make a weekend of it. Whatever your preference, get out and enjoy our great Southern Ontario Outdoors.
Welcome to the new Sleeping Dog Blog. Although this blog has been around for a couple of years it now functions as the general interest blog for Southern Ontario Outdoors and features information and articles for our new More Outdoors section that contains information about cycling, geocaching, birding, and Winter activities (cross country skiing and snowshoeing) throughout Southern Ontario.
This blog will also be used for general interest outdoor related stories that are important but don’t really fit with one of our other featured blogs (hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, or paddling).
I hope you enjoy this new addition to the Southern Ontario Outdoors website and I look forward to your comments and suggestions. If there is a specific topic you would like covered in a future article please leave a comment and let me know.
So what, or who, is Sleeping Dog? Well Sleeping Dog Marketing is the name of my company that owns and operates Southern Ontario Outdoors, Martial Arts Young and Old,Fitness with a Purpose, and manages Distinct Northern Art. I also offer freelance writing services, web design, SEO, and internet marketing services. When I’m not pounding the keyboard or wandering the nether regions of Southern Ontario you’re likely to find me teaching my new Fitness with a Purpose program – a martial arts based fitness program that I specifically designed to meet the needs of adults over 45.
The “Sleeping Dog” is my friend and constant companion Casey, the English Springer Spaniel. As CED (Chief Executive Dog) of the company he’s the best boss I’ve ever had. He always allows me to express my opinion, gives me full creative freedom, and is always happy. He is usually asleep beside my desk as I pound the keyboard during the day; hence the name Sleeping Dog.
The great outdoors is my passion! Whether I'm deep in the northern wilderness, drifting on a misty lake at dawn, or simply walking a Southern Ontario field with my springer spaniel, I cherish the experience.
I am concerned about our wild places and I am passionate about issues that allow humans and wildlife to successfully cohabit the same regions.
I spent three terms as President and two terms as Chairman of the Board of the Outdoor Writers of Canada. I am an award winning outdoors writer with articles published locally, nationally, and internationally.
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