Rules of the Sugar Bush

Updated: March 2nd, 2022 in accordance with new Ontario Guidelines in effect March 1st, 2022

We have a no smoking and no pets policy at the sugar bush.

Parking
Please follow the instructions of the main entrance booth greeter and the parking lot attendants when finding a spot for your vehicle. We have a one way traffic parking lot.

Accessibility
There is accessible parking spaces near the entrance to the Lodge (pancake house).
The lodge has a wheelchair accessible washroom.
The sugar bush tour is not accessible.
The sugar bush tours can accommodate air tire strollers, but keep in mind there are stairs and the trails are mainly wood chips.

Covid-19 Policies

Wellness
Wellness includes the provincial and regional requirements to help protect our staff and guests to minimize the transmission of Covid-19. The requirements do change and we will be following the most up to date public health guidelines.

We ask that everyone visiting the sugarbush be respectful of one another to create an environment that all feel welcome to enter.

Vaccine Passports
The Ontario government has removed its proof of vaccination system on March 1, 2022. With this change in the health regulations, we will not require proof of vaccination status to enter our pancake house dining room.

Masking requirements are still in place indoors.

Face Masks

Face masks are required to be worn by volunteers and our guests in all indoor settings. A face mask is defined as: made of tightly woven cloth or fabric, with at least two layers, fits snugly without gaps, covers your nose, mouth and chin.

Masking requirements will be followed indoors. This includes the pancake restaurant, our Maple store, Sugar Shack store and during the indoor tour. Please come prepared to wear a mask in each of these designated areas.

Mask exemptions for medical reasons will be accepted (following Niagara Public Health by-law 2020-46)

Volunteers will wear a face mask at all times indoors.
Volunteers working outdoors will wear a face mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Physical Distancing
All our guests are expected to maintain physical distancing when walking the trails, on the wagon, in the maple store and waiting in line for the pancake house.

Capacity Limits – to be determined based on the current public health guidelines at the time of your visit.

Cleaning and Sanitizing
Increased cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces will continue to be a priority during all of our sugar bush areas. Hand sanitizer will be provided in multiple areas and we encourage you to sanitize your hands upon entering high traffic areas (the sugar shack, the hayride shuttle, taffy shack, pancake house, maple store)

Volunteers
Those volunteering need to complete online screening through Ontario Public Health each day they are coming to the sugar bush and sign in at the lodge.

Volunteers will wear a face mask at all times indoors. Volunteers working outdoors will wear a face mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Volunteers are to bring their own lunch. A microwave and beverages are provided.

Agape Valley Pancakes

Dry Mix (for sale through our online store):

Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt

Directions for 10 – 12 medium pancakes

You will need:

1 cup soured milk *

3 large eggs

2 tbsp oil (melted butter can be substituted)

2 cups of AGAPE DRY MIX

*to sour milk add 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to the cup of milk

Prepare:

Preheat skillet over med-high heat or electric griddle to 325-350F

(Remember every griddle/stove top is different

Lightly grease skillet/griddle

Mix It Up

Measure your Agape dry mix into a bowl.

Add the wet ingredients.

Stir with a whisk or electric mixer on low-med setting until smooth

Add more milk or dry mix to get the consistency you are happy with

Cook It Up!

Using a 1/4-1/3 cup to scoop the batter for each pancake

Flip the pancake when the batter is “set” and the bottoms are golden brown.

Continue to cook for approximately 1-2 minutes until the second side is golden.

Serve with Agape Valley maple syrup.

Enjoy!

Baked Oatmeal using Maple Syrup 

Thank you for considering to serve our Lord Jesus Christ at the ministry of Agape Valley this March. As a volunteer run ministry, we appreciate the time you are able to give.  Minimum age to volunteer is 13.

Throughout the month of March there are two areas to volunteer in:

1. Public Sugar Bush Days (Saturday’s and March Break)

2. During the week prep work/cleaning after public days

Please fill out our online volunteer form to let us know when you are available and what you would like to do!

Click here to complete the online form → ONLINE SUGARBUSH VOLUNTEER FORM

We will send you confirmation of the dates you will be volunteering.
We need volunteers all day, half days, and to help at the end of the day do clean up.
We appreciate the time that you are able to give.

On public sugar bush days (Saturdays and March Break) Volunteers come at 8:00am for morning devotion (with the exception of some kitchen volunteers who come for 7:00am). The sugarbush is open 9:00AM-2:00PM to the public. Volunteers will need to bring a lunch with them this year (different from past years).

Here is a list of volunteer jobs during the sugarbush season:

*Please note, we do our best to accommodate where you prefer to work, it is dependant on volunteers each day

Our on-site store in the lodge is open Saturday’s in March! During the rest of the year it is by appointment only.

We also have our product at these local stores:
– Personal Touch Home Improvements ( 2601 Highway 20 East Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 )
– Gospel Folio Press (304 Killaly St W, Port Colborne, ON L3K 6A6)
– Our Online Maple Store

If you are looking for something specific, please call us at 905-89-AGAPE (905-892-4273).