Call for Volunteers to support A Lake Story by Melissa McGill

Paddling volunteer roles require participants to be 18+. Select opportunities may be available for ages 16+. Please visit our Call for Land Volunteer webpage for more details regarding these opportunities here. 

All equipment is provided, including canoes, paddles, life jackets, sun protection, and comfort/safety kits.  

In most cases, participants will use project-provided equipment to maintain uniformity, however advanced paddlers may be permitted to bring their own paddle if it meets project requirements—just let us know via the registration form. 

Yes. Volunteers are required to commit to all rehearsals and performances over the project’s final weekend. This ensures consistency, safety, and strong community-building across the team.

All paddles will begin and end at Biidaasige Park (formerly part of Villiers Island in Toronto’s Port Lands). This site was chosen for its alignment with project themes, as well as its separation from heavy commercial and recreation traffic on the water.

You’ll be paddling in the eastern section of Toronto’s Inner Harbour, beginning and ending at Biidaasige Park (formerly part of Villiers Island, now Ookwemin Minising). This area was selected for its calmer waters and safety—away from the busy ferry, commercial, and recreational boat lanes further west. The route passes through newly revitalized waterways at the mouth of the Don River and loops back from the Sugar Beach area.

The location celebrates ongoing ecological restoration work in Lake Ontario and offers a quieter, more protected part of the harbour that’s ideal for a large, coordinated paddling event. It’s also a symbolic and scenic setting to honour our relationship with the lake and its shoreline. 

Each session (rehearsal or performance) will last approximately 2 hours, with time scheduled for preparation, gear fitting, and launch. Volunteers will return to our Volunteer Hub, located near the launch point, for lunch and breaks in between performances.

• Dress Rehearsal: One Evening Between September 22 – 26, 6 – 8 pm.  
• Rehearsals will be scheduled in groups of ten canoes, bringing together each paddling team with their Paddle Captain in the days leading up to the performances. 
• Performances: Two Days, Saturday, September 27 & Sunday, September 28, 9 am – 6 pm.  
• Exact schedules and run of show details will be shared in advance.  
• Additional training dates will be announced and scheduled with volunteers throughout August and September. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for further information.  

There is a Rain Plan. We’re adding flexibility into the schedule and may adjust timing or routes in response to weather. Performances may be halted or cancelled in the event of adverse conditions. Changes will be communicated to Paddle Captains and volunteers by phone, email, and in-person throughout the final weekend. 

We’ll be using 16’ Nova Craft Prospectors, selected for their stability and performance on open water. Stern Paddlers will be supplied with wooden Beavertail paddles for improved maneuverability. Bow Paddlers will be supplied with wood Square-Tipped (Sugar Island) paddlers for power and forward propulsion.

Your safety is our top priority. Here’s how we’re ensuring a safe and supported experience for all paddling volunteers:

• Certified Paddle Captains will lead small groups of canoes and provide in-boat guidance. 
• Each canoe will be equipped with a full safety kit, including life jackets, bailers, and other materials. 
• Motorized support boats and safety crews will be on the water throughout all rehearsals and performances to monitor and assist in the unlikely event of an emergency. 
• The route has been designed to avoid high-traffic and hazardous areas. 
• The route will be marked by special buoy systems to improve wayfinding and route visibility on the water.  
• We will closely monitor weather conditions, including wind and waves. In the event of unsafe conditions (e.g. high winds, whitecaps, rain/thunderstorms), paddles will be paused, modified, or cancelled. 
• All volunteers will take part in mandatory training sessions during the official rehearsal to build comfort and confidence in the boats. We’ll also share additional training opportunities and optional external resources for those who’d like to brush up on their paddling skills ahead of time.

All paddling volunteers must wear all-black attire with no visible branding or logos. Comfortable, weather-appropriate athletic wear is recommended. Please dress for the forecasted conditions and bring extra layers or a change of clothes if needed. Footwear should be secure and suitable for rocky beach / uneven terrain and getting wet. 

Yes! A dedicated volunteer hub will be set up with food, water, shaded rest areas, and secure storage for personal items. Lunch, water, and snacks will be provided, with dietary needs accommodated via the registration forms.

Yes. We’ll share detailed transportation and parking info closer to the event. Secure bike lockups and car parking will be available near the volunteer hub. 

Absolutely! All members of the group must complete separate registration forms. The registration form allows you to note paddling partners or teams. We’ll do our best to place you in the same canoe or group.

In addition to being part of a meaningful and memorable experience on the water, paddling volunteers who participate for the full weekend will have the option to purchase select equipment (e.g. PFDs, paddles) at below market value rates while supplies last.  

You’ll also receive meals, on-site support, and access to a welcoming community of fellow paddlers and artists. After the project, volunteers will receive access to select photos and video documentation to remember and celebrate your contribution.

Volunteers will begin to receive more details via email beginning in mid-August, including training dates, team assignments, and gear info. Please feel free to reach out to Megan Kammerer ([email protected]) for troubleshooting if you have any questions or concerns regarding the mailing list.