Imagine spending a day with plant lovers knowledgeable about the medicine that abounds in the beautiful and ancient Outaouais region. Discover the medicine in the richly colourful wildflowers blooming the meadows and fields of the Pontiac. Unearth the medicine found growing in the shade of the maple forests. This is a day where diverse healers, plant lovers gather to learn, share, connect and celebrate. This year’s theme is The Medicine of our Ancestors. Workshops and herb walks will be offered in both English and French.
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FRIDAY AUGUST 9 | Registration for the Gathering will begin at 4pm, please plan to arrive between 4 - 6:30pm. Opening ceremony begins at 7:00pm and the evening continues until 9:00pm.
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SATURDAY AUGUST 10 | If you are coming for Saturday only, registration opens at 8:00am. Workshops begin at 9:30am and continue until 5:45pm. Then come gather round the fire for an enchanted evening of music and storytelling. Our entertainers will include local singer-songwriter Chris MacLean and storyteller Luce Bélanger, as well as many others!
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11 | If you are only coming for the Intensive workshops, registration opens at 8:30am. Our three workshop intensives begin at 9:00am and continue until 12:30pm.
Event Location
This year's Outaouais Herb Gathering will be held on the stunning regenerative agriculture farm & apothecary of Mariane Desjardins Roy, La Fée des Bois Apothecary.
34 GREERMOUNT RD
SHAWVILLE, QC
ABOUT THE FARM
The farm is located a 1 hour drive west of Ottawa near the town of Shawville, QC and boasts 70 acres of ancient forests, rivers, cultivated herb gardens, barns and other beautifully constructed meeting places. The farm hosts workshops, plant sales, herb walks and also grows, crafts & sells their own line of high quality herbal products.
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If you haven't already been for a visit, you are in for a treat! Read their website to learn more:
What You Need to Bring
The Outaouais Herb Gathering is a Rain or Shine Event!
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Lawn chair or blanket for sitting
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Water bottle, a cup of tea
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Lunch & snacks
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Appropriate dress for the weather & hat
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Cash for vendors - cell reception is not guaranteed
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Notebook and pen
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Your fire cider creation for the fire cider contest
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Babe in arms welcome
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What to Leave at Home
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​This is a pet-free event. Please leave your furry friends at home.
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Beyond registration in our dedicated Children's Program, this event is not suited to children. Children 12 and up who are interested in attending the workshops may do so with parental supervision at all times, and babes in arms are welcome.
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This is a garbage-free event. Whatever garbage you bring you must leave with, so come prepared to do so.
Overnight options
If you are attending the full weekend and are out of town: we have a limited 50 camping spots on-site - alternatively, there are many stunning chalets & rentals in the surrounding area.
On-site Camping
Your $50 Camping fee is purchased through our Eventbrite Registration page. First, select your ticket then add-on a camping ticket.
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Parking will be in a designated field across the road from the event location (2-5 minute walk). There will be a drop-off zone near registration to unload all camping equipment.
All camping is pack-it-in style, unless you have made specific arrangements.
There is very limited space allowed for small trailers (only 7 spots, no large RVs), please contact us at outaouaisherbgathering@gmail.com to reserve. Trailers will be parked in specific zones, however there are no hook-ups provided and generators & dumping are not permitted. ​
Camping Packing List
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Please bring all tenting equipment you need to be safe and comfortable while camping, including your tent, sleeping bags, camping chairs, and tarps if necessary.
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For food storage, snacks and drinks, please bring a cooler with ice. Indoor kitchen space and refrigeration is not provided.
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Bring your own camping chairs. There are picnic tables and benches stationed at communal areas around the property (however, not enough for 1 to be provided at each camping site), and a covered pavilion for shelter and cooking if it rains.
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Bring clothing to layer and appropriate footwear for the weather, as this event will take place rain or shine!
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This event is garbage-free, so plan on bringing small garbage bags to pack out your waste.
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Other items to bring: flashlight, water-bottle, travel mug, rain poncho, bug spray, necessary medications, first-aid kit (there will also be one located at registration), sunglasses, sun hat, notepad and pen; a day pack for carrying your stuff and cash for shopping at vendors.
Food & Water
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For cooking your meals at camp (only Saturday night’s dinner is provided, with food ticket purchase), you may wish to bring a small camp stove and necessary cooking and eating utensils. Small camp fires will not be permitted at the camp sites and there are no indoor kitchens or cookhouses available.
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There are a number of outdoor water taps and one outdoor sink. Hot water and biodegradable soap will be available at meal times near the sink to wash dishes.
Sanitation & hygiene
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There will be outhouses provided for all washroom needs throughout the weekend.
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Showers are not available.
Nearby Lodging
Airbnb: www.airbnb.ca
Prunella Cabins: www.chaletsprunella.com
Pine Lodge Resort: www.pine-lodge.ca
Visit the local region's tourism website for many more lodging options: destinationpontiac.ca
Waste-free event
Please bring your own food, water bottle, chair, and plan on bringing any garbage home with you!
REFUNDS: If you need to change your plans for any reason prior to July 15, 2024, your registration fee minus a $50 administration fee is refundable. Refund requests must be in writing and received in our office by this date. After July 15th, refunds will be made at the discretion of the event organizers. Please send us an email if you need to cancel your ticket: outaouaisherbgathering@gmail.com
