Interested in learning what life was like in a Manitoba PoW
camp during the Second World War? Then the “from North Africa to the North
Woods” is the trip for you!
Loaded onto four wagons, the visitors become new prisoners
heading out to the former site of the Riding Mountain Park Labour Project under
the strict supervision of the guards. Learn what life was like at the camp as
the guards and prisoners (interpretative staff) bring history to life through
stories and photographs. Once at the camp, enjoy a traditional German meal,
similar to that served to the prisoners at the worksites. After lunch, explore
the site of the former camp with the aid of a GPS and myself.
Since the summer of 2008, Friends of Riding Mountain
National Park, in cooperation with Parks Canada and the Riding Mountain
Biosphere Reserve has been offering these interpretative wagon tours to the
site of the Riding Mountain Park Labour Project on the shore of Whitewater
Lake. I have been fortunate to be
involved with this since the start and it has become a favourite program of
mine. If anyone is looking for a true PoW experience, this is definitely worth
the trip!
Tour dates are July 21st and September 2nd
Tickets are $59.00 each or $53.10 for Friends members and
are available at the Nature Shop (RMNP Visitor Centre) or by calling (204)
848-4037. If you have any questions,
feel free to phone that number or feel free to ask me.
The wagons depart from the north end of the Bison enclosure
in Riding Mountain National Park at 9:15am and we return at 2:30pm.
Tickets are already selling and they usually fill up a few
weeks in advance!
