Last summer, York Durham Headwaters (YDH) selected the Ryan family as its first ever Instafamily! Tammy, Jason, Brayden and Brody Ryan packed up their car for a road trip full of adventure! The Ryan’s love spending time outdoors, so we packed their three-day trip full of thrills!
Darlington Provincial Park provided a scenic home base for the family’s first night in YDH. Tammy and Jason reveled in freedom from all things digital, while Brayden and Brody enjoyed roasting marshmallows over the campfire.
The next morning, the family travelled to East of Six SUP in Pickering to explore Frenchman’s Bay via stand-up paddleboard (SUP). The dynamic quartet quickly got the hang of the sport and asked their instructor to guide them out of the marina and into the open waters of Lake Ontario. There’s a view you can’t see from the couch!
After towelling off and grabbing some lunch, they made their way to Pathways on Pleasure Valley for a horseback ride! Tammy accompanied six-year-old Brayden through the peaceful, meandering forest trail, while four-year-old Brody saddled up for a pony ride with Jason.
By Day 3, the Ryan family had conquered land and water – it was time to take to the skies. They made their way to iFly Whitby where they got to experience the thrill of skydiving…without jumping out of an airplane! After a short training session, the family entered the wind chamber. “The tandem flight was a real adrenaline rush,” says Tammy. “It was so neat to watch the expressions on the boys’ faces!”
This adventure-filled weekend was just what the Ryan family needed to escape the day-to-day and reconnect.
Build Your Own Summer Adventure Bucket List
Need some inspiration for your own summer bucket list? Look no further! Check out some of YDH’s favourite purveyors of summertime fun:
Hub Climbing Markham
Conquer this huge indoor Rock Climbing gym designed for climbers of every level……and don’t forget to ask about their 23-foot tall pet dragon!
Albion Hills Conservation Area
Make it a day trip or camp overnight and enjoy swimming, and hiking or cycling 50 kilometres of trails. Want to try something new? Rent a fat bike at the chalet and hit the trails!
Cedar Park Resort
This family campground and waterpark is a fun destination for all ages. Enjoy the pool, splash pads and water park, as well as mini golf, tennis and more!
Joyride 150
Rain or shine, this indoor biking mecca has you covered with courses designed for riders of all ages and skill levels! Check out their outdoor dirt jumps, which are only open in summer.
Lake Simcoe Watersport Rentals
Experience the lake we know and love with a thrilling sea-doo adventure! Note that guests must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license.
The ROC
Cycle the bike park and test your skills in the North Shore trail system for intermediate and advanced riders. Or take on the climbing wall, high ropes and zip-line action!
Far Shot Recreation
Transform your road trip into an urban adventure with archery, axe throwing, knife throwing and archery dodgeball. Just be sure to make an appointment to avoid disappointment!
Treetop Trekking (Stouffville)
Zip-lines and aerial adventures add serious spice to your summer. Bring your friends to explore six aerial courses high up in the trees.
Canada’s Wonderland
It’s not summer without a trip to our favourite amusement park! Adventure seekers will love the park’s world class roller coasters and thrill rides.
Treetop Eco-Adventure Park
Tackle the aerial obstacle course and have a high wire adventure on the zip-lines! Or try combat archery, a game that blends paintball and capture the flag, with soft foam-tipped arrows.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP)
Meet the racers and check out the off-track activities and marketplace.
Rail Yard Wake Park
Beginners and advanced riders make a splash wakeboarding, wake skating, wake skiing and knee boarding – no boats required. Be sure to explore their new floating aqua park this summer!
Rawhide Adventures Inc.
Hit the trails with a horseback ride combined with cattle wrangling at this working ranch. Or stay the night, sleep under the stars and wake to a hearty ranch breakfast. Yee-ha!
