KAGAWONG—Youngsters from around Manitoulin Island took part in a maple tapping event hosted by Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA) on Wednesday of last week.
“This was the (MSIA) Youth Rangers second year hosting the maple tapping event and we had 38 kids registered from Gore Bay all the way to Little Current,” stated Liam Campbell, environmental technologist with MSIA. “We started by learning about the process of tapping maple trees, how to identify them, as well as telling the youth the history of maple syrup.”
After a pizza lunch provided by Bridal Veil Variety and The Kag, “the kids got into groups or pairs and were each given their own bucket and spile, which were generously lent to us by Lee Hayden (of Gordon/Barrie Island) who makes and sells maple syrup out of Ice Lake.”
The youngsters had to identify their own maple tree with Mr. Campbell then put the spile in the tree.
“All of the trees were running, and the kids were able to collect full water bottles full of sap to take home,” added Mr. Campbell.
