WELCOME TO
SPRUCE ROOT VI

Spruce Root Convenes on Indigenous Homelands

Pathfinder lies on Source Lake, headwaters of the Madawaska River, traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg, Indigenous peoples – especially the Algonquin – who are the original inhabitants and stewards of this land.

To join with these first peoples in calling this place our home, we resolve to treat the land, plants, animals, stories and first peoples with honour and respect. We are grateful for the opportunity to live and grow within this beautiful territory.

We recognize the contributions and historic importance of indigenous peoples, and we’re committed to make real the promise of Truth and Reconciliation in our Pathfinder community.

SPRUCE ROOT VI
June 5-7, 2026

Spruce Root is a biennial staff learning experience for Pathfinder canoe trip guides, directors and invited friends from outdoor professions. Held in late spring, and organized as a Chautauqua (see below), Spruce Root welcomes notable experts and accomplished alumni of many backgrounds to Pathfinder Island.

Their talks, workshops, keynotes and demonstrations enrich the knowledge and practices of our camp’s canoe trip guides and directors – known in Pathfinder life as the Headmen.

Headmen share the Spruce Root experience with others. Also invited are senior in-camp staff, active Pathfinder alumni, and select leaders of other wilderness programs. The mix of people for this uniquely Pathfinder event creates a terrific program schedule, as well as chats, mealtimes, and lasting bonds between leadership generations within the camp and beyond.

Over two days at Pathfinder, Spruce Root presenters include biographers, wilderness travelers, outdoor educators, child development, medical and emotional health professionals, Indigenous educators, wilderness medicine leaders, cartographers, authors, historians, social scientists, ethnographers, media makers, natural scientists, parks officials and camping profession leaders. Among them are physicians, best-selling authors, PhDs, and recipients of the Order of Canada.

Conceived in the camp’s centennial year 2013 and established in 2015, Spruce Root is organized by alums Sladden and Herman, with support from the Pathfinder Centennial Fund and the Algonquin Campership Fund.

PAST SPRUCE ROOT CHAUTAUQUAS

2015 2017 2019 2022 2024

Attending Spruce Root 2026?
Remember to register online by May 25th!

Dedication
HONORING

LINDA LECKIE

Lecko once remarked, ‘Pathfinder does it right on the trail.’ Massive praise from a legend, and a lot to live up to.

In August of 2025, park resident and Pathfinder friend Linda Leckie passed after a battle with cancer. This year’s Spruce Root is dedicated to her memory.

Over 15 years, Lecko left an indelible mark on Pathfinder, making us her number one camp priority, making us ever more ‘right’ on the trip trail. She was lifeguard trainer, trip baking coach, paddling session host, and Spruce Root fellow, all of it in keeping with her renowned professional career. She was a Wapomeo camper and guide, inspired by Esther Keyser to become an all-seasons professional guide and outdoor educator, notably as head of outdoor studies at Bishop Strachan School in Toronto.

Lecko urged on the Pathfinder trip staff she’d lauded for ‘doing it right:’ to sharpen their dark water lifesaving and risk management on the land, groove their trip paddling skills, bake that morale magic treat on the campsite, slow down and open their senses a little more, savor their trip day with the campers, respect Indigenous peoples when on their lands, and to pass all this on to their campers, the next generation of Headmen.

Linda was a scholar, trip camps consultant, hand-haul winter tripper, Lifesaving Society instructor-examiner, flatwater and trip instructor for ORCKA, lead player with Algonquin Eco-Watch and the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario; and at the time of her death the Chair of The Friends of Algonquin Park.

Linda was a founding presenter at Spruce Root from 2015.