Left to right: Sarah Tokarek, Abbie Arnold and Carly Kazakoff taking an icy did in Shuswap Lake.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sarah Tokarek

A Shuswap woman with a passion for outdoor adventures is attracting people from near and far to her forestry workshops, polar bear dips, and entertaining outdoor adventure blog.

Sarah Tokarek is the Shuswap Adventure Girl, and there is nothing she loves more than helping others discover nature in the Shuswap.

“The more people love and care about the area, the more they will take care of it,” she said. “I love teaching people about the area and the fun historical facts.”

Tokarek is bringing ecologists, forest technicians and other knowledgeable environmentalists to outdoor locations around the Shuswap to guide guests on fun, informative adventures through the forest.

She also takes women and babies on hikes and hosts full day outdoor adventures for women.

“We get people coming from Kamloops and Vernon, all over to join the workshops,” she said. “We start them at 11 a.m. because we know people are travelling.”

Most recently Tokarek hosted a Winter Forage and Tree Talk led by an herbalist in Salmon Arm in the forest at Skimikin Lake. About 30 showed up for a walk in the woods, followed by a campfire and tea making session. Guests learned what trees can be used for in medicines and cooking.

“We love to do giveaways and these ones were foraging baskets filled with locally produced eco-friendly treats,” she said.

Winter Forage & Tree Talk in the Shuswap led by Christine Tether of Nettle and Oat Herbal Holistics

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sarah Tokarek

Tokarek also runs full day adventure trips where she contracts out a shuttle bus to take 24 women for outdoor fun and discovery in surrounding places like Revelstoke. Tokarek manages the food and plans the activities.

“These trips are super fun and accessible,” she said. “I love the female camaraderie, it is very rewarding. Especially when woman who were shy at first end up exchanging phone numbers. That is what it is all about.”

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The polar bear dips Tokarek organizes have become “the best thing about winter.” She advertised the first dip as an event in November. Dippers had to register and sign a waiver. Tokarek said 45 people showed up to that one. She has continued hosting the icy dips in different locations around the Shuswap every week since.

“Everyone is invited to attend and typically between 20 and 40 people come out,” she said. “We have a core group that meets almost daily. We all have jobs and kids but make time to meet up, have fireball or coffee and chat. We sit in there for about 15 minutes.” 

The dippers wear leggings, wool socks and toques to protect themselves. Tokarek said it releases endorphins that make her feel “amped up and joyful” for three hours.

“I welcome new ladies to try it, there is a list of health benefits along with the benefits of friendship and being in nature. It is rejuvenating and calming for your nervous system."

Polar bear dip in Shuswap Lake hosted by Shuswap Adventure Girl.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sarah Tokarek

Tokarek was born and raised in the Yukon where her dad was a conservation officer and outdoor life was all she knew.

“We were always in float planes going to cabins and surrounded by trappers,” she said. “I didn’t realize it was a unique lifestyle at the time.”

When she settled in Blind Bay over a decade ago, Tokarek had new outdoor areas to explore but it wasn’t that easy.

“We moved here with a newborn and I didn’t know anyone,” she said. “I was trying to go hiking and do stuff with my baby but I didn’t know the trails and none of them were marked at the time. I was afraid to be out there alone.”  

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At that time The Shuswap Trail Alliance was coming together. Tokarek currently volunteers with the organization.

A couple of years ago when COVID shut down local children’s programs, Tokarek pitched an idea to her community to guide moms and their babies out on the trails as a group.

“We made it happen and it was a well-attended program,” she said. “I organized more small groups and when I went into Salmon Arm people called me ‘the hiking girl’ and would ask questions about trails.”

With a nudge from her husband, Tokarek started her Shuswap Adventure Girl blog and business. She spent five months putting it together, filling it with information on trails and special outdoor gems like waterfalls, funny adventure stories and photos. She launched the project two years ago.

“It just exploded and I realized I wanted to make this a job,” she said. “I started getting wilderness training in things like first aid and bear aware. I put on more workshops and they all kept filling up right away.”

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This fall Tokarek’s young children will be in school which will give her more time to build up her developing eco-tourism business. She already has more workshops planned for this year which can be found, along with costs, on her website.

She is currently working toward becoming an outdoor safety facilitator.

You can find more photos and events on Tokarek's Facebook page. 

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