Motorless Day 2026

Motorless Day 2026

There was a great turnout for Motorless Day! Thanks to everyone who participated in another wonderful event at the lake.

A huge thank you to Catherine Wensley, Rhonda Candell, Janet Boileau-Hyde, Tim Stretton, and Pierre Dulude for providing and serving the hot dogs, watermelon, chips, and lemonade.

Presentation and The Secret Life Under the Deck

The focus of this year’s session was “The Secret Life Under the Deck,” taking a closer look at robins, their nests, and raising chicks.

We were very happy to welcome our guest presenter, Ella Stretton. Ella grew up on the lake with fond memories of lake life, swimming lessons, and the activities through the Club. After completing her degree in environmental studies, Ella joined EnviroCentre and EarthPath where she works to empower youth through hands-on environmental education, helping kids develop a connection to nature and a practical approach to protecting it.

Hands-on Activities

Ella led an engaging program that kicked off with a video following a local robin family from nest construction to raising two fledglings.

Following the presentation, the kids (and adults) enjoyed the hands-on portion:

• Making & Testing Robin Nests: Learning how robins weave their homes, the kids used natural materials to craft their own nests and tested their structural strength using golf balls.
• Wildflower Seed Balls: The kids rolled wildflower seeds into clay and soil balls. Ella explained how the clay shell naturally protects seeds from hungry birds and harsh weather, allowing anyone to easily toss them into hard-to-reach areas around the property to bloom after rains.
• Building Cedar Nesting Shelters: The idea of a nesting space for a robin was presented. Unlike typical birds’ nests, the robin’s nest is made more like a platform with a roof. It was highlighted why cedar is essential—providing chemical-free durability outdoors, repels pests, and acts as natural insulation against heat and cold. Plans for making a robin’s nesting platform were distributed.

A big thank you to Ella Stretton and all of our volunteers for making Motorless Day 2026 another success.