Into the Wild Together
A 5-day expedition for fathers and teenage sons to reconnect, reflect, and grow.
A MODERN RITE OF PASSAGE EXPERIENCE
October 20th - 24th, 2025
Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada
Feeling disconnected from your son?
Maybe life’s gotten busy. Maybe he’s drifting away. Maybe you're not sure how to reach him anymore.
In a world of endless screens and constant pressure, real connection can feel out of reach.
This journey is your invitation to change that.
A MODERN RITE
OF PASSAGE.
Into the Wild Together is a guided wilderness expedition through Algonquin Park, designed to help fathers and teenage sons reconnect, reset, and grow—together.
This is not just a canoe trip. It’s a modern rite of passage.
Led by seasoned facilitators and guides, you’ll paddle, portage, cook, camp, and share stories together in the wild. You’ll learn from the land, from the group and from each other—strengthening your relationship with self, family and nature.
At Driftwood, the canoe trip is just the beginning. What we really offer is space— space to unplug, slow down, and feel alive again.
By guiding you into the wild, we guide you back to yourself and your people.
Around the fire, on the lake, under the stars—something shifts.
You remember who you are without the noise.
Maybe screens have widened the gap between you and your son.
Maybe back-to-back meetings have left no room for what really matters.
Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, your family, or your purpose.
Or maybe you’re simply ready to explore the wild beauty of Canada.
This is more than a change of scenery. It’s a shift in reality.
A chance to step out of your comfort zone, reconnect, and carry home what matters most—letting the rest go.
Paddle in…
You:
Distracted, overworked, and stretched thin
Unsure how to connect with your son at this stage
Longing to create meaningful memories before it’s too late
Your son:
Quiet, withdrawn, or restless
Addicted to his phone or gaming
Carrying unspoken feelings or questions about becoming a man
Paddle out…
You:
Present, grounded, and open
A deeper understanding of your son’s inner world
Memories that will last a lifetime
Your son:
More confident and self-aware
Seen, heard, and supported by his father
A new sense of belonging and direction
Your Guided Experience
You don’t need to be an expert camper or paddler. Our team will guide you every step of the way. All gear is provided. This is a fully facilitated experience that blends:
Canoe travel and backcountry camping
Fireside council and sharing circles
Nature-based ceremony
Father-son solo and duo time
Practical wilderness skills
Guided conversations about manhood, identity, and connection
Itinerary Overview
Like nature, the itineray ebbs and flows according to the emerging needs of the group and the conditions of the wilderness.
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Arrive at the edge of Algonquin’s vast wilderness. After orientation, you and your son load into canoes and paddle deep into the backcountry. The rhythm of the water, the silence of the forest, and the shared effort mark the beginning of your journey together—away from the noise, and toward each other.
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Settle into the wild. With a light day of paddling and portaging, this day invites you to drop into presence. Explore the shoreline, swim in clear lakes, build fires, play group games, and cook meals together. Laughter and lightness create space for trust and deeper connection to emerge.
Days are spent paddling meandering rivers and remote lakes, exploring pristine forests, slowing down and taking in the view while cuddled up in a hammock. Nights are filled with star studded skies and nourishing campfire cuisine and conversation.
We are not only ready to explore the wilds of Algonquin with you but are also equipped with mindfulness and connective activities for when it feels right. Simultaneously guiding you through the wilds, inside and out.
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This is a day of deepening. Fathers and sons spend intentional one-on-one time in nature, followed by a short, guided solo reflection. As evening falls, we gather in ceremony around the fire—marking the threshold between boyhood and manhood, and honouring the sacred bond between father and son.
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Today’s paddle is longer—an opportunity to rise to the challenge together. Navigate lakes, lift canoes over portage trails, and witness the growth that’s unfolded. You move as a team now. The conversations flow more easily. The wilderness has worked its quiet magic.
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We gather one final time to reflect, honour the journey, and give thanks. As you paddle out of the backcountry, you leave with more than memories—you leave with a renewed sense of who you are as a father, and what it means to walk beside your son.
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”My ten year old "techie" boy grew up a lot on this trip without wifi. Chris captured his attention and wowed him with knowledge about how to thrive in the wilderness.”
Tom Clark (son 10 yrs old)
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“The most complete and rewarding experience I could have imagined in all respects. My boys learned what it meant to truly be in nature, push their physical boundaries, and be "present" in life.”
Nate McCaughtry (sons 16 & 20)
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(One year later) “The boys and I are doing great, and much of this is attributed to the trip you led. It accomplished everything that I had hoped it would. We have even better and more bounded relationships because of it.”
Nate McCaughtry (sons 16 & 20)
A chance to leave
the screen behind.
No phones. No distractions.
Just nature, presence, and real conversation.
Studies show time in nature and unplugging from tech improves mood, focus, sleep, and emotional connection. This trip is a reset for your nervous systems—and your relationship.
Meet Your Guides
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Chris "CK" Kelly
FOUNDER & WILDERNESS GUIDE
A visionary, coach, world traveller and guide of 12 years. Chris’ deep love for nature and ability to connect with people creates an environment that encourages exploration, openness, growth and deep reflection.
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Louis Belleau
MINDFULNESS & YOGA TEACHER
Rooted in devotion to wholeness and the timeless wisdom of Nature, Louis brings a holistic and ecopsychological approach to healing, personal growth and relationships.
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Jack Bunce
SOMATIC MEN’S WORK FACILITATOR
Jack is a somatic (body) oriented men’s work, relationships, and professional leadership coach with a passion with the outdoors. His work brings people into deeper authenticity, power, and love.
About Us
Founded by the Kelly Brothers, world travellers and expert canoe guides - after visiting 50+ countries, they’ve experienced many diverse places and people. As a result, the Kelly brothers see life a little differently.
When asked about their favourite place, they find it challenging to choose just one. But rather, their favourite feeling always came from immersing themselves in a stranger's life, exploring the world through a local lens. They never remained strangers for long, and many have become lifelong friends.
No matter how far they have roamed Algonquin always calls them home.
The Driftwood Story
Algonquin Provincial Park, spanning over 7,600 square kilometres of the Canadian Shield, is a stunning wilderness of rolling hills, dense forests, and more than 2,400 lakes and 1,200 kilometres of rivers. This vast natural sanctuary supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including over 270 bird species. Our guests leave the park feeling like a truer version of themselves, remembering a sense of peace they'd long forgotten.
Our Beautiful Location
Reserve Your Spot
This journey is limited to 20 people.
Want to bring two sons? Add $1000.
USD $3600
Single Payment
✓ 4 nights accommodation
✓ Delicious campfire cuisine + snacks
✓ 5 days of facilitated self-discovery + connection
✓ Guided relationship + personal growth work
✓ Movement + breathwork + meditation
✓ FIreside council with other fathers + sons
✓ Highest quality canoe + camping gear
USD $4000
3 Separate Payments
✓ 4 nights accommodation
✓ Delicious campfire cuisine + snacks
✓ 5 days of facilitated self-discovery + connection
✓ Guided relationship + personal growth work
✓ Movement + breathwork + meditation
✓ Fireside council with other fathers + sons
✓ Highest quality canoe + camping gear
FAQs
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We know how much of a difference quality makes in the backcountry, so rest assured from food to gear you will be taken care of.
Travel: Canoes, paddles, life jackets.
Gear: Tents, tarps, sleeping pads/Thermarest, sleeping bags.
Food: Water purifying system, and cooking equipment. We accommodate dietary requests.
Safety Gear: Emergency communication device, compass, bailers, rope, fully stocked first aid kit. All guides are certified as Wilderness First Responders and National Lifeguards.
What do you bring: All your personal items such as clothing, toiletries. We will email you a packing list. -
We take your health and safety seriously. When you register, you’ll complete a detailed intake form where you can share any food allergies, dietary needs, or medical conditions. Our guides are experienced in wilderness first aid, and we do our best to accommodate all needs, including meal planning and medication protocols. If you have concerns, we’re happy to chat before the trip to ensure it’s a good fit.
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This trip is designed for fathers and sons who are ready to step away from distractions and into a shared adventure. Your son doesn’t need to be an experienced camper or super athletic—just open to being outside, working as a team, and trying something new. If he’s curious, has a basic level of physical fitness, and is emotionally mature enough for a group experience, he’ll likely thrive. Still unsure? Reach out—we’re happy to talk it through with you.
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This trip is designed for sons between the ages of 12 and 17. We’ve found this window—early adolescence to young adulthood—to be a powerful time for connection, growth, and meaningful rites of passage. If your son is slightly younger or older and you think he would benefit, feel free to reach out and we can explore it together.
Together we thrive.
At Driftwood Paddle we believe that no matter your story, everyone deserves an equal opportunity to experience nature. That’s why we are proud to donate backcountry trips to support marginalized youth in Ontario. These journeys go beyond adventure—they empower youth, foster community, and provide a fresh perspective on nature as a source of recreation, self-regulation, and personal growth.
Ready to reconnect?
Book your intro call now to learn more.