This is the moment that you will look back on and be grateful for. It’s often forgotten. The decision that needed to happen for the “remember when we…” stories to take place. It’s the moment that you decided to finally book the experience, commit to the creation of memories, or give the greatest gift to the adventurous person in your life.
In Ontario’s Southwest, we pride ourselves in having the most unique, authentic, and memorable experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world! That’s why we’ve created our very own signature experiences. These are the experiences to book if you care about the details, want to know the real story behind the people and the products, or make a connection with the host.
OSW Signature Experiences
Udderly Ridiculous - A Taste of Farm Life
When Cheryl Haskett married a farmer and made the big move from Guelph to Oxford County, she quickly realized there was a lot to learn. From a plethora of new sites and chores to the realization that farm life isn’t the quiet life they tell you about in books, Cheryl has approached every aspect of supporting a farm with humility and yeah, a lot of humour.
Now, she’s ready to give you the inside scoop. Join Cheryl on their third-generation farm and the birthplace of her company Udderly Ridiculous- producing award-winning goat milk ice creams. Learn the zany stories of life on a farm as you do agility training with a lively pack of goats, get up close and personal with the chickens and spend some quality time out in the hay field with your alpaca guide.
If you have children under the age of 16 who want to participate, the family friendly version of this experience will be better suited for your group! Click here to learn more about that experience.
T.J. Stables - Awaken Your Spirit – A Spirit Horse Encounter
Once living freely in the boreal forest of Ontario and northern Minnesota, thousands of Indigenous ponies ran wild around the Great Lakes region and lived in harmony with the First Peoples. Colonization brought the ponies to the brink of extinction. In 1977 only 4 ponies remained. Through conservation efforts, these horses have been returned to their ancestral lands near Walpole Island to live once again as the Little Horses of the Big Woods.
Walk amongst these rare and endangered little horses and experience their incredible spiritual power and make your own connection. Listen to the oral stories that were passed down by generations of First Nations People about their bond with these little horses. Gather around the fire at the authentic Metis fur trade Tipi encampment, tap your toe to the lively Metis fiddle music, and laugh at the adventures of the fur trader. He might just slice you a piece of what's cooking in the pot. Indigenous drumming and songs by your first Nations guide will enlighten you to the relationship we all have with Mother Earth.
This 3-hour experience for all ages will captivate and educate about Indigenous culture, resilience and recovery like no other.
From Our Tree to Table: A Build-Your-Own Board Experience
Rediscover nature at the award-winning From Tree to Table Experience. Gain knowledge about the trees of Ontario’s vast Carolinian Forest with woodworker David Schonberger on 2 acres of property. Gather around an open fire, sip on tea with freshly-foraged ingredients and engage your senses. Communicate with the roots of the forest as we discover reverence of the woodland ecosystem through smell, taste, touch and sight.
Enter the artisanal woodshop to create your own live-edge charcuterie board alongside David and choose your own piece of locally harvested lumber. Work with a variety of tools including David’s grandfather’s vintage handtools to shape your board. In addition to getting your hands dusty in the woodshop, enjoy a handpicked selection of the local terroir including local artisan charcuterie, cheeses, preserves and breads while socializing around a Feasting table. Finally, return to the woodshop to explore Ottercreek Woodworks’ studio of handcrafted boards, personalize your work and learn how to use your new charcuterie board at home to enjoy with loved ones.
Thames River Melons - Harvest Brunch
Join Registered Dietitian and Farmer Alex Chesney, for some time in the fields at Thames River Melons. Harvest your own fruits and vegetables, visit the chickens, gather eggs, and explore the farm. Slow down and enjoy the beauty of one of Ontario’s most bountiful agricultural areas as you learn more about where your food comes from, how it is grown, the nourishment it offers you, and the benefits of supporting your local producers.
Head back to the brand-new Farm Kitchen where you’ll spend time together creating a beautiful long table brunch crafted around the season’s freshest finds. Cook a delicious and simple frittata and roasted potatoes, learning kitchen tips and tricks as you go and enjoying the company of others. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labour paired with a selection of other farm goods and local flavours as you sit down together for a social brunch on the farm. Experience how food inspires connection and taste the difference local makes.
Click here to book.
Berrylicious Farm - Picnics in the Patch
Enjoy a blueberry taste-testing experience and picking lesson before filling your complementary basket. Settle on a blanket with your picnic basket to enjoy the delicious local harvest of Oxford County. Depending on which picnic you've selected, you'll have the option of enjoying fresh blueberries (of course), local cheese, crackers, a homemade signature blueberry jelly roll, a tasty berry flatbread, a mason jar salad, and a delightful and refreshing drink.
Picnics last for approximately two-hours and are designed to accommodate groups of 1-4 guests, depending on the basket. Click here to learn more.
Grand Experiences - Nith Whitewater Experiential Learning Adventure
Early Spring Paddling Experience on the Nith River, lets you take your paddling to the next level with the help of Grand Experiences instructors.
The Nith River is ideal to experience and learn advanced paddling, including white-water. They’ve developed a route that sees you through progressively challenging waters, culminating in a series of mild rapids that will test your skills. Beginning on calmer water in rural Oxford County, their instructors teach paddling strokes for power, maneuvering, and bracing.
After an on-river morning learning techniques, enjoy a warm riverside campfire lunch at Bas Beach, including their famous Maple Chili. Then, continue developing your skills by navigating Swift Alley, the challenging currents of Devil's Cave, plus the Level 1 and 2 rapids of Arrowhead, Big Curve, and Penman's Pass.
Click here to book online or call 1-888-258-0441.
