Outside the Box:  4elements’ initiatives to encourage creative outdoor activity, on Manitoulin’s trails and waterways, for all ability levels.  For more info on our guided outings, and Drawing Boxes, see below.

Outside the Box’s upcoming guided outings are:

September 16th Paddle & Arts on Charlton Lake;  October 4th Mindful Meander at Maple Ridge Trails in Mindemoya; and October 19-22nd Wilderness Advanced First Aid in Kagawong.   See events page for more details on these sessions.

Explore and find the DRAWING BOXES on trails Island-wide, through the OUTSIDE THE BOX program!!

Although 4elements’ guided outings with OTB will take place at least once a month through the spring summer and fall– Hiking & paddling, with creative activities, we encourage you to also head out for a walk on your own or with friends at other times, and find the 4elements Living Arts’ Drawing Boxes!! These are currently placed on 11 Manitoulin trails or waterways, with 1 more to come–  Some will be on trails or creeks that are new to you, check out the locations below.

In the Drawing Boxes you’ll find:

–a page of stretches to keep you flexible in mind and body

–a map with trailheads for walking and hiking

–little papers and writing utensils, for your creative task of the day: Make a Drawing/Take a Drawing! Note the trail around you, make a sketch or poem or other little creative piece inspired by your outing, and leave it in the box, and take one left from a previous visitor.

–Please send us a picture to the OTB facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/pg/getactivewiththearts or search “Outside the Box-4elements”

— The pic can be of yourself on the trail near the Drawing Box, or of your and your artwork, or something interesting you found on your walk

–a short survey is also in the box, and other details as well.

–If you are looking for a Trail Buddy to head out with in this winter weather, post on this FB page, and join up with others who are heading out!!

–Plan ahead, stay safe, and have fun!!

You will currently find Drawing Boxes on the following trails-  each box is approximately 1-2km from the trailhead.

Freer Point Trail (between LC and Honora Bay) – Drive down the laneway at #2260AB HWY 540.  There is a yellow fish at the driveway.  Bear left when you get to the end of the laneway, and then there is an open grassy parking area on the left, before the red gate.  Park there, and the trail wanders through the oak savannah, running roughly east-west.   Sponsored by Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

Maple Ridge Trails (Community Living Manitoulin, Mindemoya) –  Turn in at #6266 Hwy 542.  Drive past the Community Living buildings to the end of the laneway, there is a parking lot there.  Please pay day use fee or sign up for seasonal membership at www.zone4.ca, search “Maple Ridge Trail”.   Or, if you become a 4e member your trailhead fees are paid as part of your 4e membership.  Get your 4e membership now!!  The Drawing Box is located near the junction of the yellow and orange trails.  Sponsored by Manitoulin Physio Centre, M’Chigeeng.

Nimkees Hiking Trail (Sheshegwaning) North of Silver Water, off Hwy 540, the Sheshegwaning First Nation is developing a 20km trail, which can be enjoyed in several sections, some offering wonderful views of the North Channel.  Trail maps are available at the Band Office or at the Gas/ Convenience store at the trail head.  The Drawing Box is located on the red trail that winds its way to Cunningham Point.  Open for sponsorship.

Dewar Trail (Providence Bay, Government Rd, EBC)– Approximately 2 km east of Providence Bay Trailer Park, on Government Road, the trailhead is marked by a small sign on the south side of the road.   The drawing box is approx 2 km in, near the second pond.  Trail can be wet, bring boots!  Sponsored by Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

McLean’s Park Trail (Assiginack Township)  Off Hwy 6 between Manitowaning and Tehkummah, turn west on New England Road.  Follow the road down until you see the parking lot on the right side of the road.  Open for sponsorship.

Ravenswing Garden Trail (Ice Lake, Willson Property)  Off Hwy 540 in Ice Lake, take Roberston Road going south, to Douglas Rd to the west, then Meadow Lark Place to the south.  Trailhead is at 144 Meadowlark Place.  The Drawing Box is along the orchard trail, path marked by small pink survey tape tags.  Sponsored by Ravenswing Garden.

Mcleans Mountain Trail (Little Current, EBC).  Off Hwy 540 just west of Little Current, on the 90 degree turn, turn onto McLeans Mountain Rd.  Go up to the area near the 2 white houses, and the trailhead is on the left.   Sponsored by Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

Queen Mum Provincial Park (Silverwater, Ontario Parks).  Off Hwy 540, just west of Silverwater.  In Silverwater, go straight west onto Silver Lake Rd, then south onto Burnt Island Rd,  and the entrance to the park is 7km down Burnt Island Rd. at the edge of the shoreline before you go onto the Island where Purvis Fisheries is located.  Its a totally unimproved Park, no facilities.  Just park at the side of the road, and the Drawing Box is about 1.2km west along the shoreline.  Open for sponsorship.

Lewis Trail (Sheguiandah, NEMI)  On the West side of Highway 6 in Sheguiandah, near Centennial Museum, across from the Paradise Motel.  The box is near the base of the second peak.  Available for sponsorship.

Upper Kagawong River WATER ACCESS ONLY (Kagawong). On the flatwater creek,  near the north end of Lake Kagawong.  Between Esso and Norm’s Park.  Open for sponsorship.

Bebamikawe Trail (Wikwemkoong First Nation).  The trailhead is at the very end of Beach Road.  The Drawing Box is on the lower part of the main white trail that leads up toward the red and yellow trails.  Open for sponsorship.

Cup and Saucer Trail (Hwy 540 between NEMI and M’Chigeeng).  Sponsored by Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

Enjoy your explorations, finding the boxes, and creating artwork on the trails!!

NOTE:  You are responsible for your own safety on the trails.  Plan ahead, travel safely, and enjoy.

If you would like to find out about sponsoring a box, or if you see that items in the box need refilling etc, please contact heather@4elementslivingarts.org

THANK YOU to 4elements staff, Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport, all the landowners of the sites who welcomed the boxes, Manitoulin Crate Company for designing the beautiful boxes, Katie Fenerty for helping develop the box format, Lise Baronet for assisting with box installation and consultation on stretches for the trails, and Kendra Edwards Design for sign and ad design work.

 For more information contact:

OTB program coordinator Sarah Earley    outdoorprograms@4elementslivingarts.org

4elements office         705-282-0444        91 Main Street Kagawong.

All Outside the Box programming is supported by Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.