Walking as Remapping: Family Edition
Build a Poem from Place with Anna Swanson

For kids ages 7–12 and their caregivers

Come explore the city in a whole new way—by turning a walk into a poem! On this playful and creative walk, we’ll use our eyes, ears, and imaginations to notice the world around us: the sounds of the river, the shapes of the trees, the colours of the sky, and the textures under our feet.

We’ll start and end at the Boathouse Tea Room, with a walk along the river nearby. Along the way, we’ll collect words—things we see, hear, and feel—and write them down. At the end, we’ll use those words to build poems, rearranging them to create new meaning.

This walk is part of a bigger series that helps us see the city differently—not just how it looks on a map, but how it feels to walk through it, to imagine it, and to listen to its stories.

No writing experience needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a love of adventure.

Accessibility: This event will involve walking slowly on flat gravel walkways and some uneven dirt trails, with several stops to talk or write. There generally will not be formal seating where we stop to write, except for logs, blankets, etc. There are no significant inclines, and there are ramps in any place with stairs, including the bridge. There will likely be a portapotty at one point along the route (not wheelchair accessible), but we suggest using the washroom before the walk. Please contact info@artgalleryofguelph.ca in advance if you have accessibility questions or for further information.