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A conversation with one of the most respected people in the world of summer camps in Quebec: François Vézina. His young years as an counsellor at the Kéno summer camp in the 70’s really hooked him and since then, he has dedicated his life and career to the world of camps. He founded the Kéno day camp in the 90s and then became CEO of Groupe Kéno for many years. Initially located in St-Augustin, the day camp was a great success from its very beginnings and continues today to provide fantastic summers to thousands of young people in the greater Quebec City area. Recently retired, he currently participates on the crisis management committee of the Association des camps du Québec in the context of the pandemic. It was a real honour to speak with this man of unifying leadership.
This episode is presented by Osprey, the most reliable backpack company on the market today. Incredible durability, a lifetime warranty, models to suit all tastes and intuitive designs; everyone who enjoys outdoor activities knows this legendary brand today.
With 10,000 km of rivers behind the tie, Éric Leclair is undoubtedly among the Canadians who have paddled the most canoes. This week, we offer you a colourful – and a bit irreverent – conversation with a true living canoe legend. Éric Leclair is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and has literally dedicated his entire life to adventure.
From the age of 18 to 30, he spent the equivalent of 6 years in a tent. By the time he was 30, he had fulfilled all the dreams he had promised himself when he was a teenager. In addition to having guided for much of his life in climbing, hiking and canoeing all over the world, he has travelled down an impressive number of North Shore rivers for his personal enjoyment, including the Magpie, the Moisie, the Romaine and the Saint-Jean, several of Nunavik’s mythical rivers such as the Vachon, the Puvirnituk, the George and the Koroc, and has also played in the Northwest Territories on the Nahanni River. Today a CEGEP geography teacher, whitewater rescue instructor and canoe instructor, he is among the most experienced instructors in the Canoe Kayak Quebec federation. In addition to having written several magazine articles on his epic river descents, he is credited with certain self-rescue techniques that are particularly well adapted to high-flow rivers.
Sébastien Lapierre is a former military man, now a firefighter in Quebec City. In addition to his job, he wears various hats, including those of a father and a skilled adventurer. His vast experience of expeditions in remote areas, his progress in long-distance skiing and his background are inspiring: he skied in Greenland in 2010, crossed the mythical Northwest Passage in 2013 and was the first Canadian to reach the South Pole on skis, without outside help and alone in 2016. Together we talked about the challenges of going this long and this far while being a father, about risk management in the field while solo, and about the media coverage of some expeditions in the age of sensationalism. We also discussed his upcoming plans for future expeditions, which are no picnic!
This episode is presented by Exped, a Swiss-born company established in Quebec and Canada for several years. Exped manufactures high-end equipment of professional quality, without compromising between sturdiness and lightness. Whether it is for a floor mattress, a sleeping bag, a tent or an expedition bag, Exped will not leave you empty-handed in the field!
To follow Sebastien on Facebook and Instagram: sebastienlapierreaventurier/ !
Nature lovers and enthusiastic adventurers, Caroline Vézina and Emanuelle Carrier have been working in social intervention for several years. The first holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychoeducation from Université Laval, the second completed a bachelor’s degree in psychoeducation at Université de Sherbrooke. We had the opportunity to discuss for a long time with these two exceptional people about a subject that has fascinated us since our young years as summer camp counsellors: how is it possible to put the outdoors and expeditions at the service of education and social intervention? This field of research is in great effervescence and the conversation was very enriching! Inspiration guaranteed.
This episode is presented by Asnes , an internationally renowned Norwegian company that makes skis specially designed for your Nordic adventures, whether extreme or modest!
Learn more about Strathcona Park Lodge, Envoys, Motivaction Jeunesse and Camp de Vancances Kéno!
Jacob Racine is a professional adventure tourism guide who graduated from Cégep St-Laurent in Montreal in the early 2000s. In addition to his outdoor career, he took part in several significant expeditions in Quebec, including the legendary Karibu Project: a complete 131-day ski crossing of Quebec from Montreal to Kuujjuaq. He was also a participant in the TV program Destination Nord-Ouest, broadcast on TVA in 2008. An outstanding speaker and storyteller, he knows how to share his experiences in a way that makes people think, inspire and make them laugh! At the time of the podcast, Jacob was about to departure for a two-month expedition to reach the geographical centre of South America from the Chilean coast to the heart of the Amazon, by bike and raft! With Jacob, we discussed in detail the highlights of his career as a guide, his main expeditions and explored a very general question: how is it to be a professional guide in Quebec? Guaranteed laughter!
This episode is presented by Hilleberg, the company that makes tents that can withstand the most hostile weather conditions.
To follow Jacob‘s adventures: facebook.com/Jacob-Racine-officiel
