BRENT RUN 2023

Will you support Andy & Connor in an epic attempt at a 162km canoe trip & send 75 kids in need to Camp Mini-Yo-We?

BRENT RUN 2023

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of children? Do you want to follow along on an adventure of a lifetime? Would you like to help send 75 kids in need to Camp Mini-Yo-We this summer? Are you passionate about outdoor education and adventure and want to be part of something bigger than yourself?

Support Andy & Connor Montgomery in their mission to conquer the Brent Run – a continuous 162-kilometer journey, with 22 kilometers of portaging, done in a cedar strip canoe in historical Algonquin Provincial Park by donating today!

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REFLECTIONS FROM CONNOR & ANDY

UPDATES

It’s Sunday evening and we are writing this as the sun is setting. After studying a variety of weather information over the past week, we are excited to announce that we have locked in a window for the Brent Run. We hope to set out from our start point on Canoe Lake tomorrow night (Monday, July 24) at around 11:45 PM. The forecast looks beautiful on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with low winds, sun, and (hopefully) a bit of moonlight to help us see the horizon through the night. It will be possible to follow our journey through satellite location tracking. This will be made available at www.brentrun.com, or you can go directly to https://maps.findmespot.com/s/PWD4/9Y.

We will spend much of the day tomorrow packing and strategizing and hope to get some sleep in the late afternoon/evening before hitting the water. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers as we head out.

We want to once again send our appreciation for the overwhelming support we have received. We will have a final tally once the trip is over, but we are feeling strongly that our revised financial goal of $75,000 will be reached. 100% of the proceeds will go to sending kids to camp this summer!

We’ve been pushing towards this for a very long time; we want to thank so many of you for the way you’ve encouraged us and helped make this happen:

Our family, for listening to our dreams and working through so many logistics.
Rich Birch and the staff at Mini-Yo-We, for getting the word out and assisting with all things promotions and website.
Algonquin Outfitters, for helping us with food, equipment and spreading the word.
Local Muskoka press, for sharing our story.
All of you, for your words, emails, and texts of encouragement.

We look forward to updating you all again soon.

Cheers,

Connor & Andy

It’s hard to believe that our 162 km non-stop canoe trip adventure is almost upon is! We are at the stage where we are looking at the long-range weather forecast with the hope to be paddling late next week or early the following week. There have been so many people that have helped us along the way and we are incredibly grateful. We just wanted to take a few minutes here to express our thanks and to provide a bit of an update.

First of all, we are absolutely blown away by the fundraising support we’ve received for such a great cause. The summer camp experience has been life-changing for both of us and we are honoured to be part of giving this experience to as many kids as possible. Our goal was to raise $50,000 to send kids to camp. Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many, we have increased our goal to $75,000 and close to $65,000 has already been raised. We’ve heard some really touching stories by many supporters that have shared with us why they have chosen to give to this cause. We are amazed and so thankful!

We also want to thank some others. A big thank-you to Algonquin Outfitters for their support in helping us with supplies for the event and for raising awareness and promoting this event. I’d also like to thank My Muskoka Now/Moose FM for their story and interview with us https://www.mymuskokanow.com/126484/featured/father-son-duo-paddling-162-kilometres-through-algonquin-park-for-huntsvilles-camp-mini-yo-we/. It’s really great to see our community getting behind this in this way.

We’re feeling a combination of excitement and nervousness as our trip approaches. We are likely going to need around 30 hours to complete this from start-to finish and our ideal window is to hit the water between July 27^th and August 2^nd.

What are the things that we’re nervous about?

Portaging and paddling in darkness is new to both of us so we’ve picked a window where moonlight should help us (we also have powerful headlamps…).
One of the rules of an official “Brent Run” is that you need to complete it in a cedar strip canoe. We have the canoe ready to go and I really wish it was as light as the newer ultra-light canoe’s that we usually use for tripping. We’re going to feel this on some of the longer portages for sure 😉
Setting a paddling pace that is sustainable for the duration of the trip. We’ve done long trips before but we’ve never done anything that is 30 hours straight.

What we are excited about?

This is something that we’ve talked about doing together for almost 10 years. We are both really excited that it’s finally happening.
The adventure/push of doing something difficult.
The conversations we will have and the memories we will make.
Most importantly, we are really thankful that 75 kids will get a summer camp experience of their own thanks to the generous support of others.

We’ll likely send one more quick update as we are set to embark on this adventure. You can follow along with us at www.brentrun.com. We are hoping to have satellite tracking for those that are interested.

Thanks again for your interest and incredible support! We can’t thank you enough!

Andy & Connor

What is the Brent Run?

The Brent Run is a canoeing adventure in Algonquin Park, Ontario, that dates back around 80 years. It's a 162-kilometer journey from Canoe Lake to Brent, with 22 kilometers of portages. The first official Brent Run was completed in 1934 by Bill Stoqua and Bill Little, who took 32 hours to complete the journey. The fastest time, set in 1990 by Chuck Beamish and Bob Anglin, still stands today. The Brent Run is considered a big deal because of its daunting nature and the fact that it must be completed following specific rules, such as leaving from Canoe Lake, using a cedar-strip canoe, and confirming arrival in Brent by taking a picture. The Brent Run is an extreme wilderness challenge because the route usually takes 8-10 days to complete, but this race pushes adventurers to complete it in as little time as possible.

Why are Andy & Connor doing this?

Your support of Andy & Connor will help send 75 kids to Camp Mini-Yo-We this summer. With your help, we can make this dream a reality. Follow Andy and Connor’s progress and donate to help make this possible. Every dollar counts and will help give children the opportunity to experience the joys of summer camp. Your donation will help provide a safe and fun environment for children to learn, grow, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Camp Mini-Yo-We is a place where children can build relationships, develop skills, and gain confidence. At Camp Mini-Yo-We, children will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn about nature, and develop a sense of responsibility.

Why do Kids Need Camp?

Now more than ever more kids need camp. When a child comes to Camp Mini-Yo-We they have the chance to make new friends, learn new skills, and have fun. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to school closures and social distancing measures, causing many kids to miss out on meaningful social experiences. Camp can help address this by offering a chance for kids to engage in social activities, develop independence and resilience and boost their mental and physical well-being. A week at Camp Mini-Yo-We helps kids get a leg up in life!

Who are Andy & Connor?

Andy is a Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager who also has a passion for the great outdoors. He has a special connection to Algonquin Park and has extensive knowledge about its history. Inspired by his love for adventure and the challenge of the Brent Run, he has set a personal goal to complete the run before his 50th birthday in August. With his drive and enthusiasm, Andy is determined to overcome any obstacles and reach his goal.

Connor is a dedicated and nature-loving second-year civil engineering student at Queen’s University. Connor's passion for the great outdoors has been a constant source of peace and relaxation in his life. During the winter months, he indulges in his love for skiing, while the summer months see him working at Camp Mini-Yo-We. With a wealth of experience in canoe trips, Algonquin Park holds a special place in his heart, particularly as he has shared many memorable experiences with his father.

NEW GOAL: $75,000 to Send Kids In Need to Camp!

Friends of Camp have already stepped up and funded more than $50,000 towards this goal. Andy & Connor are challenging us to a stretch goal of $75,000! Your generosity will help us send even more amazing kids in need to Mini-Yo-We this summer! Can you help send some amazing kids in need to Mini-Yo-We this summer? A gift of any size will help!

Donate Today

Help Andy & Connor go for the record and make a difference in the lives of children!

Donate today and make a lasting impact. Your donation will help provide a safe and fun environment for children to learn, grow, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Your support will help send 75 kids to Camp Mini-Yo-We this summer. With your help, we can make this dream a reality. Donate now and be part of something bigger than yourself. Together, we can all make a difference in the lives of children.

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