Yours Outdoors

The Haliburton Highlands are an endless source of natural and cultural wonders, but its difficult for even the wisest of county residents to know where they all are. The county is so large, and the sights and experiences so abundant that most people only know a fraction of what is going on in their own backyard. In an attempt to expose both residents and visitors to more of the Highlands’ hidden treasures, Barrie Martin created the company Yours Outdoors.

Yours Outdoors is a company that specializes in experiential tourism and offers unique adventures in art, culture and nature in the Haliburton Highlands. Experience packages include cycling journeys that visit local arts galleries and studios, driving excursions that sample local produce and cuisine, wilderness hikes to locations of outstanding natural beauty, and even cross country skiing, ice climbing, snow shoeing, and dog sledding in the winter months. Package lengths range from half days to experiences several days long. All packages are available with or without accommodation. Yours Outdoors can also design custom packages to meet the needs and interests of its customers.

Yours Outdoors is owned by West Guilford resident Barrie Martin. With a BSc in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph, and 28 years experience working as an Education Specialist at the Leslie M. Frost Natural Resources Centre, Barrie is well acquainted with the Haliburton Highlands and what it has to offer.

“I created Yours Outdoors in 2004,” Martin said. “In many ways it is an extension of what I’ve been doing throughout my professional career. I used to work in provincial parks creating experience packages, and then it was my responsibility to make education entertaining and engaging at the Frost Centre.”

Operating Yours Outdoors is a fun and creative process for Martin, as he attempts to build packages that will provide his clients with memorable experiences. “I often like to look upon the experience packages as learning vacations,” Martin said. “Our guides take care of everything for the clients, including food, transportation, booking, and accommodation. This allows the client to relax and have an experience that is truly unique.”

Unlike a typical sightseeing tour, Yours Outdoors attempts to engage all of the senses. People feel, listen, touch, see, and smell the Haliburton Highlands,whether they’re cooking tourtière at a local maple syrup barn, travelling through the treetops in the canopy tour at Haliburton Forest, or learning about fur harvesting from a local trapper.

“Unlike a package one might get from a resort or lodge, we work with non-traditional tourist partners, such as restaurateurs, naturalists, artists, and local personalities. This gives our clients a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the county. It provides the client with an experience that is personally relevant, and allows them to socially interact with the community,” Martin said.

While the packages provide clients primarily with experiences, there are often physical items that can be taken home. Some packages allow clients to keep items of pottery they made, take home mineral samples they discovered in the rock formations, and eat gourmet food they helped to prepare.

Martin operates Yours Outdoors with a team of associates, and clients are guided by a variety of experienced leaders. “Everybody working with Yours Outdoors is well educated, trained, and intimately familiar with Haliburton County. They are also very passionate about what they do. “Our experience packages are led by professionals who are knowledgeable, engaging, entertaining, and love what they are doing ” Martin said.

Yours Outdoors also tries to adhere to the principles and practices of green travel and ecotourism. Many of the experiences offered strive to foster awareness and understanding of the natural environment and sustainable living.

Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of Yours Outdoors, from a business perspective, is the manner in which it is marketed. Martin takes full advantage of print media, and his use of internet advertising is outstanding. Martin writes an online blog about the business, and advertisements for Yours Outdoors can be found on most websites related to the Haliburton Highlands. Martin also effectively uses social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to spread the word of Yours Outdoors.

Martin’s innovative approach to experiential tourism has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. He continues to get more customers, while neighbouring counties inquire about his services. “I’ve had people ask if I’d provide similar services in the Bancroft area, Georgian Bay, and Durham County,” Martin said. “But we’re focusing on Haliburton for the time being.” 

Ontario Tourism has taken an interest in Yours Outdoors, and has contributed to the promotion of its unique adventures. HCDC has also provided some assistance over the years. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing without the support of HCDC,” Martin said. “HCDC business plan funding got me started, and they’ve helped me with capacity building. HCDC also provided funding for an intern, who we shared with another organization.”

Martin thoroughly enjoys living in the Haliburton Highlands, and he recognizes that it is a great place to operate a business. “I often refer to myself as an experience broker. I don’t have to create experiences, they all exist out there - I just try to package them in unique ways. I’m acting as a facilitator and helping people to experience the many hidden wonders of the area,” Martin said. “The Haliburton Highlands inspires me to achieve.”

To learn more about Your Outdoors visit www.yoursoutdoors.ca/