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Northern Edge Algonquin

Up North: Algonquin Explorer Retreat

Northern Edge Algonquin canoe 2.jpg

Grade 3 - Brisk
Brisk

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Highlights

Step out of the city for the weekend and take back your summer "Up North." In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, we need a place to escape where our phones lose reception and we can play like a grown-up while hiking, biking, kayaking and doing arts and wildcrafts. Settle into your cozy forest cabin at Northern Edge Algonquin and get to know other guests on the afternoon of your arrival. Rise early and paddle the river in the mist on a moose excursion while sipping local tea. Enjoy a variety of workshops and hands-on learning experiences. Share a bike-and-hike to the tower trail, take a dip in the lake after an outdoor wood-fired sauna and savor award-winning food by Chef Gregor. 

It’s like a “Summer Camp for Adults,” but with comfortable, private accommodation and delicious food. Try something new each day and explore what nature has to offer. 

Northern Edge Algonquin canoe.jpg
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Northern Edge Algonquin training garden

Experience

Over four days, explore Algonquin Park in a variety of interactive learning experiences and adventures, ending each day under a feather duvet listening to loons howl on the lake. It's like summer camp for adults. Who's in?

  • Four days and three nights of accommodation and mouth-watering locally grown, organic meals
  • Connect to nature with guided canoe, hiking and stand-up paddleboarding excursions that provide the opportunity to spot moose and other wildlife in their natural habitat
  • Engage in interactive learning experiences with passionate facilitators in the areas of art, gardening, beekeeping, pizza-making and wildcrafting

Northern Edge Algonquin

Read more about Northern Edge Algonquin

More than a digital detox, a stay at Northern Edge Algonquin is like a visit to a place where time stands still—a little corner of paradise without all the stressors of everyday noise. Guests who come to the Edge feel renewed and transformed, and leave ready to live their extraordinary lives. 

The Floating Platform
The Floating Platform

The floating platform on Kawawaymog Lake is the best place to take your coffee and watch the sunrise. There is lots of room for yoga, launching for on-water adventures, swimming, reading a book, and even for making a cozy space and stargazing in the evening.

Points North
Points North

This space is a gathering area open to guests around the clock. Workshops, retreats, ceremonies and yoga sessions are held upstairs in the Dragonfly room, while the downstairs features a comfortable lounge stocked with tea. Bathrooms and shower rooms are also located here, just a minute’s walk away from your cabin.

Cuisine Philosophy
Cuisine Philosophy

Proudly serving a taste of the region, cooking at the Edge focuses on balancing globally far-flung tastes with provincially produced foods. While seasonal menus are inspired by flavors from afar, the meals are prepared with ingredients raised closer to home.

Accommodations

Accommodations are simple yet comfortable, providing a range of options to meet the needs of guests participating in a scheduled program or group stay. 

Studio Cabins

These cabins feature spacious rooms with many eco-friendly features including a small en-suite bathroom with composting toilet and running water. Each equipped with a double bed and single bed, these cabins are ideal for couples and/or friends. Studio cabins are heated year-round and used for winter and summer retreat guests.

Log Cabins

Designed for your comfort, the spacious and colorful rooms are some of the most upscale (and the first accommodations featuring private showers). Each room has a queen bed that can convert into two twin beds, giving lots of flexibility with sleeping arrangements. A small gathering area surrounding a gas fireplace will be a great hangout spot for those guests looking to visit or read a book.

Canvas Cabins

These wood and canvas tent cabins are clean, dry and nestled on a hillside surrounded by the lush greenery of the retreat center. Some call it glamping or glamorous camping and for most, it’s the best of both worlds. The best outhouse in Canada is steps away featuring a tiled floor and composting toilet; flush toilets and showers are located one minute walk away. These seasonal unheated accommodations are available May through September.

Habitat Cabins

Surrounded by the maple and balsam fir forest, these cabins were designed for year-round comfort. These well-insulated buildings feature two single beds plus a loft with a double bed, topped with feather duvets and colorful linens.  Washrooms and showers for these cabins are a short walk away. These cabins accommodate two to four guests.

Highlander House

Close-knit groups of friends or family will appreciate the history of this restored 120-year-old cabin that is located at the top of a hill, featuring a double bed and four single beds in a private loft upstairs, as well as plenty of space for lounging. On the lower level, a wood-fired stove sits center stage, surrounded by seating, a dining room table and a card table. An attached bathroom with a composting toilet is easily accessible.

Features & Amenities

  • Year-round comfortable accommodation
  • Comfortable feather duvets and colorful linen sheets
  • En-suite bathroom featuring a composting toilet & running water
  • Showers located just a short walk 
  • Yoga garden and fire circles

Map

FAQ

  • Airfare
  • Transport to/from the Edge

What should I pack?

A printable packing checklist is available in the welcome package that is sent to you upon registration. If you forgot your towel, flashlight, toothbrush or water bottle, your host can help. The Edge has extras of most gear.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Even moderate alcohol consumption or recreational drug use would interfere with the ability to deliver safe, memorable experiences. Alcohol is only permitted when served by Edge staff as an accent to experiences at mealtime. Recreational drugs are never permitted.

Phone and Internet

Our experiences are 100% unplugged. Cell phones don’t work here. The Edge uses satellite internet to communicate to the office, or for emergency phone calls & messages only.

Dreams Coming True

Communicate with your host and let them know what you would like to experience! Participants actively co-create each retreat to ensure their bucket list dreams come true.

Community Spaces

Please contribute to clean & clear shared spaces by keeping doorways free of shoes, tidying up after your own dishes, and keeping personal items such as toothbrushes & towels in your cabin until you need to use them.

Gratuities

Gratuities are welcome, but not required. The team appreciates gratitude in all forms: a word of thanks, a written note or a goodbye hug will make their day! If an individual has made your stay especially enjoyable, you may tip that person directly.

Guests should plan on arriving between 1-3 pm on arrival day. Departure time for most experiences is also 1-3 pm. In most cases, the Edge is not equipped to host guests who wish to extend their stay. They are happy to provide suggestions for alternate accommodations if you plan on extending your time in the area. 

Terms

Deposit protection

Your non-refundable deposit or enrollment fee allows the Edge to make commitments to hosts, facilitators, guides, suppliers & on-site support staff for your retreat. Much of the planning for your visit takes place months and even up to a year in advance. They also, make purchases, prepare materials & spaces, plan menus and buy fresh food to support programs based on your registration.

The programs require a minimum number of registrants, and once that number is reached guests and staff make travel arrangements while the Edge prepares for the event, all with the assurance that the program will run. Deposits help protect the ability to offer these programs even in the event that some participants cancel their attendance.

Due to the high staff to guest ratio, the addition of one or two guests on an experience can result in additional staff making commitments to work for the duration of your visit. To ensure the best experience possible, the Edge makes commitments to facilitators and guides at the earliest possible date.

While the funds paid in your deposit are used toward the retreat experience and thus cannot be refunded, the Edge does offer a credit to be used toward a future event.

Lifetime Credit

Your deposit is protected. If your trip is canceled or delayed by you, the Edge will credit you for the amount of your deposit. Whether you opt to use this credit for the same experience in the future, register for a different retreat, save it up for a rainy day, gift it to a friend or donate it, you are covered.

Cancellations

Cancellations can be made by phone or email. Please inform as early as possible if your plans change.

Cancellation made 15+ days prior to arrival day:

  • The Edge will create a Lifetime Credit for the amount of your deposit (typically 50% of your overall balance, including any add-ons) and refund the rest if you’ve paid in full.

Cancellation made 2 – 15 days prior to arrival day:

  • At this point, your full balance is past due and should be fully paid.
  • The Edge will create a Lifetime Credit for the entire balance of fees paid for your experience.

Cancellation made within 48 hours of arrival day, including non-arrivals:

  • By this point, the Edge has used your payment to prepare for your visit and is unable to provide refunds or credits of any type.

Covid 19 Cancellations

Deposits for both guests and facilitators are currently refundable at any time leading up to a retreat experience if a cancellation occurs as a result of government-mandated closures, or the appearance of any Covid-19 related symptoms. This allows the Edge to safely move forward with retreat experiences, keeping both their own and your minds at ease that everyone on site will be happy and healthy. 

Early Departure

As stated in the Acknowledgement and Release, Northern Edge Algonquin reserves the right to ask a guest to leave prior to the scheduled end of their stay when deemed necessary for the well-being of our staff and/or other guests.  

Guests may also choose to depart early of their own accord.

Refunds and credits are never available in the case of early departure, nor shall Northern Edge Algonquin be responsible for any additional expenses (ie: transportation) created by the early departure.

Program Cancellation

If the Edge cancels an experience due to under-enrollment you’ll receive a minimum of two weeks notice and your choice of the following:

  • Substitute any other visit to the Edge in the same year at 20% off.
  • A full refund for the balance paid.

Please note, NEA is not responsible for incidental expenses or consequential losses (such as non-refundable travel costs, loss of earnings) incurred in the event of cancellation. Check with your airline or travel planner for cancellation policies upon making travel arrangements.