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Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper's Memoir
Outdoor author and educator Kevin Callan (aka The Happy Camper) has always suffered from high anxiety. Where did Kevin go to escape this anxiety? He didn't find relief on a psychologist's couch or popping pills. Kevin found it by heading off on wilderness trips. Canoeing has always been the author's favourite mode of travel, but he's also tried other ways of low-impact travel. Backpacking, kayaking, snowshoeing, whatever. As long as he's outside in nature. Wilderness places are sacred; they need to be loved and protected. But they are also places we need to help ward off our growing issues with mental and physical health. This inspiring, often humorous memoir is full of stories of the ways that wilderness can magically transform and heal our lives. Illustrated throughout, this memoir includes sidebars that give camping, paddling and canoeing advice for staying safe in the great outdoors.
244 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2022
5 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Callan
40 books29 followersKevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 19 books; his latest being Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper's Memoir. He is an award winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. Check out his web site at www.kevincallan.com and YouTube channel KCHappyCamper.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 8, 2023
Amazing book.
It’s a memoir – but it’s more than a memoir. It’s a collection of cool canoe trip stories – but it’s more than just trip stories. It has lots of advice about canoeing and outdoor skills and practises – but of course, it’s more than that.
The author tells about his life and some of the obstacles he’s had to overcome growing up and he doesn’t pussyfoot around when it comes to talking about some of his own issues and behaviors. We all have them – but not many of us are comfortable owning up to them in front of people, never mind in a book that’s going to be read by hundreds of thousands of people.
And it is a wonderful book to read. Hey, I zipped through it at warp speed, finishing it in four nights (and I could’ve done it in three…except I deliberately left the last 50 pages to squeeze one more night of reading out of it.)
I guess I can relate to a lot of what he writes because a lot of the things he experienced and felt growing up I also felt and experienced growing up. He went to study forestry after high school, as did I. But like myself, he found it wasn’t really doing it for him. He wanted to find a way to reconnect people with nature, to make a difference in the world which is always what I’ve wanted to do (even though I probably lost sight of that for a good chunk of time).
There are some poignant moments, and some instructional ones as well in the book. And I’m not talking just about outdoor skills – I’m talking about life instruction.
There is a lot of humour in here, too. Just like he doesn’t hide some of his warts, he doesn’t mind poking fun at himself and laughing at himself, either. He would definitely be a fun person to go canoeing with.
I was actually supposed to go canoeing with Kevin Callan in the Kawartha Highlands back in 2015, as part of a travel media conference I attended, but my knee was really messed up at the time, there was no way I could’ve handled any of the portages. I would’ve been a risk for myself and others on the trip, so I had to bow out of that one.
Maybe someday…
It’s a memoir – but it’s more than a memoir. It’s a collection of cool canoe trip stories – but it’s more than just trip stories. It has lots of advice about canoeing and outdoor skills and practises – but of course, it’s more than that.
The author tells about his life and some of the obstacles he’s had to overcome growing up and he doesn’t pussyfoot around when it comes to talking about some of his own issues and behaviors. We all have them – but not many of us are comfortable owning up to them in front of people, never mind in a book that’s going to be read by hundreds of thousands of people.
And it is a wonderful book to read. Hey, I zipped through it at warp speed, finishing it in four nights (and I could’ve done it in three…except I deliberately left the last 50 pages to squeeze one more night of reading out of it.)
I guess I can relate to a lot of what he writes because a lot of the things he experienced and felt growing up I also felt and experienced growing up. He went to study forestry after high school, as did I. But like myself, he found it wasn’t really doing it for him. He wanted to find a way to reconnect people with nature, to make a difference in the world which is always what I’ve wanted to do (even though I probably lost sight of that for a good chunk of time).
There are some poignant moments, and some instructional ones as well in the book. And I’m not talking just about outdoor skills – I’m talking about life instruction.
There is a lot of humour in here, too. Just like he doesn’t hide some of his warts, he doesn’t mind poking fun at himself and laughing at himself, either. He would definitely be a fun person to go canoeing with.
I was actually supposed to go canoeing with Kevin Callan in the Kawartha Highlands back in 2015, as part of a travel media conference I attended, but my knee was really messed up at the time, there was no way I could’ve handled any of the portages. I would’ve been a risk for myself and others on the trip, so I had to bow out of that one.
Maybe someday…
March 23, 2023
Simply incredible…
I’m a young person who spent last summer in Canada including a 7 day canoe trip in Quebec. We don’t seem to have any sort of tripping programmes here (the middle of England) so I’d never canoed before let alone embarked on any sort of trip; but I truly had the time of my life.
I think I discovered Kevin a little while before my trip via a YouTube video on self publishing. I found out about this book a few months after my trip and I can honestly say (as an avid reader,) this is potentially one of my favourite books I have ever read. The writing style is perfect and fast paced enough to keep you hooked whilst slow enough allowing you to take in every last detail as if you were there in person.
I was hooked from beginning to end and will certainly be passing it on to other adventure mad members of my family.
I’ve truly got the bug now and will be returning to Canada this coming summer… I’m sure this book will be a fine accompaniment for my venture.
I’m a young person who spent last summer in Canada including a 7 day canoe trip in Quebec. We don’t seem to have any sort of tripping programmes here (the middle of England) so I’d never canoed before let alone embarked on any sort of trip; but I truly had the time of my life.
I think I discovered Kevin a little while before my trip via a YouTube video on self publishing. I found out about this book a few months after my trip and I can honestly say (as an avid reader,) this is potentially one of my favourite books I have ever read. The writing style is perfect and fast paced enough to keep you hooked whilst slow enough allowing you to take in every last detail as if you were there in person.
I was hooked from beginning to end and will certainly be passing it on to other adventure mad members of my family.
I’ve truly got the bug now and will be returning to Canada this coming summer… I’m sure this book will be a fine accompaniment for my venture.
December 2, 2025
I read this well written memoir of Kevin Callen "The Happy Camper" a few years ago. As someone who loves camping, it was an enjoyable read. I felt I could relate to some of the struggles he discusses within this book. For those who follow "The Happy Camper" and love camping this is a must read!
September 25, 2022
A memoir by well-known canoeist about a life spent canoeing and learning. What could be better?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews