About Muskoka Woods
Leading the way in transformative group events.
From September through June, schools, churches and corporate groups of all kinds are discovering the unique and powerful benefits of Muskoka Woods, including our state-of-the-art Leadership Studio.
Retreats encourage active living and camaraderie through unforgettable indoor and outdoor team building activities. Programs are tailored to each group and reinforce our core values: creativity, friendship and confidence. Whether you’re a group of 30 or 700, Muskoka Woods is an ideal choice.
Our modern facilities and unrivaled 1,100-acre grounds hold spacious dining halls and comfortable cabins, as well as exciting activities that get you up in the air, on an athletic field, or up close and personal with nature.
Lucas Durocher
SCHOOLS & GROUPS DIRECTOR
Lucas grew up locally in the Muskoka area, which is where he developed his love for the outdoors. He started working at Muskoka Woods when he was 17 and hasn’t missed a summer since, taking on a range of positions from counselling to managing all arts and athletic activities. Lucas has a degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. His passions include healthy active living, education, sports, the outdoors, and raising up young leaders. He is an authentic leader who cares deeply about the purpose behind his work. Lucas met and married his wife, Kirsten, on the shores of Lake Rosseau and now calls camp his home. You may even see him training for his next triathlon along highway 141.
Land Acknowledgement
This territory is covered by The Williams Treaty of 1923 between the Crown, Canada, and the Anishnaabeg Nation. We recognise and deeply appreciate their historic, and continued, protective connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions First Nations, Metis, Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening our community, the province and Turtle Island and our country as a whole.
As settlers, we are grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land — for thousands of years. We are honoured to be guests on this land.
The recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous People must also be clearly and distinctly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and challenge of truth and reconciliation real in our community.
Our Core Values
Core values are the foundation of all we do at Muskoka Woods. They articulate deeply held beliefs that inform our strategic priorities. These values create an unwavering guide that helps Muskoka Woods achieve its goals.
We inspire “do something about it” leaders
How we do it:
- Our four-week CEO Leadership Program equips teens, ages 15-17, with the personal skills and leadership abilities they need to become the CEO of their own lives.
- Part artist’s loft, part monastic retreat and part family cottage, our 4,000 square-foot Leadership Studio provides an inspiring space for our CEO Leadership Program in the summer and transformative team building programs for corporations, organizations, schools and churches in the fall, winter and spring.
- All of our staff members receive intentional leadership training throughout the year. For example, our summer directors receive seven weeks of dedicated leadership training before summer camp begins and we have an Emerging Leaders Program for all of our full-time staff under the age of 30.
We welcome all youth
How we do it:
- Muskoka Woods is a place where “kids get to be ‘me,’”. Many of the accommodations and facilities are wheelchair accessible and several rooms are equipped with platform wheelchair lifts.
- Making Muskoka Woods accessible for all guests is a top priority - our main buildings are wheelchair accessible, our most popular activities are accessible to guests in wheelchairs, and many of our accommodations are fully accessible, including several rooms that are equipped with platform wheelchair lifts.
- Our Exceptionalities Program is designed for guests with varying neurodiverse and physical needs, which could include Autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual and physical disabilities.
- We provide accessibility training to all staff, our external vendors, and teams who work with our guests and/or the public. Our training is directly connected to Ontario’s accessibility law and takes into account human rights.
- In 2020, Muskoka Woods formed the "Make Us Better" committee to develop goals and training for all staff to make summer camp more inclusive and diverse.
We provide a safe place to grow physically, mentally, spiritually and socially
How we do it:
- Our on-site Summer Camp staff-to-guest ratio is 2:4 — one of the highest supervision rates in North America.
- All staff training includes: certification in Occupational Health & Safety, emergency preparedness & procedure customer service standards, youth culture & development, insights from child protection experts and specific, hands-on training for each section at camp.
- We have partnered with Plan to Protect, the Canadian experts in child abuse prevention and child protection, and were recently recognized with a “Seal of Excellence” for outstanding achievements in meeting the highest standard of safeguarding the vulnerable sector. We also provide diversity and inclusion training to all staff through RenewIQ.
We encourage youth to explore what they believe
How we do it:
- We utilise our physical outdoor setting in the heart of Muskoka to allow guests to truly explore who they are away from the distractions of home.
- We’ve partnered with MindUP — an organization founded by Goldie Hawn to give young people the tools to help manage stress, regulate their emotions, and face the challenges of the 21st century — to help kids develop their mental fitness while at summer camp.
- At Muskoka Woods we welcome guests into a safe environment and encourage them to explore their beliefs. At Summer Camp, we don’t prescribe religion, we engage campers in age-appropriate conversations about values through our Christian lens. WILD and Venture guests participate in Cabin Chat where they learn about Christian values. As a cabin, they’ll talk about each day’s topic and then get to show their creative side with an activity. At Convo Café, Junior High, Senior High and Crew guests can choose between two streams: Exploring Life and Diving Deeper. Exploring Life is focused on values-based teaching that is relevant to their specific age group. At Diving Deeper, guests will learn more about Christian values and personal beliefs through Bible-based teaching.
We create environments that motivate people to excel
How we do it:
- We offer age-appropriate developmental opportunities year-round! From ropes to canoeing, kids have a chance to develop skills, build character and try new things.
- All of our activities offer a “challenge by choice” approach for our guests. When kids participate in activities, they work with our instructors to set their own personal goals and outcomes.
- All of our summer camp guests have the opportunity to receive AAA Awards & Passports for personal achievements and growth during their week at camp.
- We are continually learning and sharing information with parents and youth leaders through the Shaping Our World podcast.
We seize every moment to encourage and affirm the best of life
How we do it:
- Through fun! At the heart of celebration is “sizzle”: add the unexpected; multiply the fun.
- We like to call out the best in kids! Achievements are celebrated throughout the week during Summer Camp, including Cabin of the Week activities, Guest of the Week and Leader of the Week.
- We develop a culture of encouragement: our staff are trained to see the best in kids.
- Awards are given out weekly to seasonal staff, annually to full-time staff, to celebrate professional achievements.
Lead: We inspire “do something about it” leaders
How we do it:
- Our four-week CEO Leadership Program equips teens, ages 15-17, with the personal skills and leadership abilities they need to become the CEO of their own lives.
- Part artist’s loft, part monastic retreat and part family cottage, our 4,000 square-foot Leadership Studio provides an inspiring space for our CEO Leadership Program in the summer and transformative team building programs for corporations, organizations, schools and churches in the fall, winter and spring.
- All of our staff members receive intentional leadership training throughout the year. For example, our summer directors receive seven weeks of dedicated leadership training before summer camp begins and we have an Emerging Leaders Program for all of our full-time staff under the age of 30.
Accept: We welcome all youth
How we do it:
- Muskoka Woods is a place where “kids get to be ‘me,’”. Many of the accommodations and facilities are wheelchair accessible and several rooms are equipped with platform wheelchair lifts.
- Making Muskoka Woods accessible for all guests is a top priority – our main buildings are wheelchair accessible, our most popular activities are accessible to guests in wheelchairs, and many of our accommodations are fully accessible, including several rooms that are equipped with platform wheelchair lifts.
- Our Exceptionalities Program is designed for guests with varying neurodiverse and physical needs, which could include Autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual and physical disabilities.
- We provide accessibility training to all staff, our external vendors, and teams who work with our guests and/or the public. Our training is directly connected to Ontario’s accessibility law and takes into account human rights.
- In 2020, Muskoka Woods formed the “Make Us Better” committee to develop goals and training for all staff to make summer camp more inclusive and diverse.
Protect: We provide a safe place to grow physically, mentally, spiritually and socially
How we do it:
- Our on-site Summer Camp staff-to-guest ratio is 2:4 — one of the highest supervision rates in North America.
- All staff training includes: certification in Occupational Health & Safety, emergency preparedness & procedure customer service standards, youth culture & development, insights from child protection experts and specific, hands-on training for each section at camp.
- We have partnered with Plan to Protect, the Canadian experts in child abuse prevention and child protection, and were recently recognized with a “Seal of Excellence” for outstanding achievements in meeting the highest standard of safeguarding the vulnerable sector. We also provide diversity and inclusion training to all staff through RenewIQ.
Invite: We encourage youth to explore what they believe
How we do it:
- We utilise our physical outdoor setting in the heart of Muskoka to allow guests to truly explore who they are away from the distractions of home.
- We’ve partnered with MindUP — an organization founded by Goldie Hawn to give young people the tools to help manage stress, regulate their emotions, and face the challenges of the 21st century — to help kids develop their mental fitness while at summer camp.
- At Muskoka Woods we welcome guests into a safe environment and encourage them to explore their beliefs. At Summer Camp, we don’t prescribe religion, we engage campers in age-appropriate conversations about values through our Christian lens. WILD and Venture guests participate in Cabin Chat where they learn about Christian values. As a cabin, they’ll talk about each day’s topic and then get to show their creative side with an activity. At Convo Café, Junior High, Senior High and Crew guests can choose between two streams: Exploring Life and Diving Deeper. Exploring Life is focused on values-based teaching that is relevant to their specific age group. At Diving Deeper, guests will learn more about Christian values and personal beliefs through Bible-based teaching.
Challenge: We create environments that motivate people to excel
How we do it:
- We offer age-appropriate developmental opportunities year-round! From ropes to canoeing, kids have a chance to develop skills, build character and try new things.
- All of our activities offer a “challenge by choice” approach for our guests. When kids participate in activities, they work with our instructors to set their own personal goals and outcomes.
- All of our summer camp guests have the opportunity to receive AAA Awards & Passports for personal achievements and growth during their week at camp.
- We are continually learning and sharing information with parents and youth leaders through the Shaping Our World podcast.
Celebrate: We seize every moment to encourage and affirm the best of life
How we do it:
- Through fun! At the heart of celebration is “sizzle”: add the unexpected; multiply the fun.
- We like to call out the best in kids! Achievements are celebrated throughout the week during Summer Camp, including Cabin of the Week activities, Guest of the Week and Leader of the Week.
- We develop a culture of encouragement: our staff are trained to see the best in kids.
- Awards are given out weekly to seasonal staff, annually to full-time staff, to celebrate professional achievements.
Our Programs
Summer Camp
Muskoka Woods welcomes all youth to an experience for a lifetime. We believe that fun plus reflection equals confidence. Unlimited fun is delivered through our dedicated staff, top-notch facilities located on the shores of beautiful Lake Rosseau and 50+ activities. By encouraging youth to reflect and draw deeper meaning from fun experiences, we give them the confidence to shape their world.
Schools & Groups
Each year, more than 25,000 guests discover the unique and powerful benefits of Muskoka Woods. Unlimited fun is delivered through our dedicated staff and top-notch facilities located on the shores of beautiful Lake Rosseau. We create a positive atmosphere where guests grow, laugh and thrive as they embrace “challenge by choice” activities to bring out the best in themselves. Students, peers and colleagues work in teams, building confidence and character through memorable outdoor experiences. By encouraging guests to reflect and draw deeper meaning from fun experiences, we give them the confidence to shape their world. Our world-class facilities on our breathtaking property, combined with our expert staff, make Schools & Groups trips an experience for a lifetime.
Leadership Studio
The Leadership Studio provides an inspiring space for our CEO Leadership Program in the summer and transformative team building programs for corporations, organizations, schools and churches in the fall, winter and spring. Gaining global recognition, The Leadership Studio is a place where the leadership journey finds new life, breath and meaning. The space has been described as having a sense of movement and embodies the very spirit of innovation. This gorgeous building sits on Lake Rosseau’s sparkling shores, surrounded by pristine Muskoka wilderness.
Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation
Everyone deserves a chance, especially our youth. The Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation joins young people on their journey and helps set them on the right path. Its funds support meaningful partnerships, educational opportunities, bursaries and unforgettable summer camp experiences for young people with financial or special needs. The foundation provides funding for initiatives aimed at helping youth from all walks of life build confidence, achieve their goals and realize their potential.
Muskoka Woods
Senior Leadership Team
A staff ready to serve
Our staff comes from many backgrounds: recent graduates of Recreation and Leisure programs, University and College students, Co-op Students, Canadian and International staff. Our staff is fun-loving, trained in the core Christian values of Muskoka Woods and committed to providing a whole camp experience that is fun, safe and successful. All staff members demonstrate leadership excellence and undergo a rigorous selection process that includes behavioural interviews, reference checks, skills and experience assessment, police and criminal record check and a seven-day on-site training course.
The beautiful shores of Lake Rosseau
With more than 1,100 acres to explore, world-class facilities and a rare 2,800 feet of shoreline on gorgeous Lake Rosseau, Muskoka Woods is one of the most highly regarded residential camps in North America.
Muskoka Woods offers a perfect mix of untouched nature, modern buildings and state-of-the-art athletic facilities. In addition to cabins, dining halls and meeting rooms, guests enjoy a finely crafted, purpose-built Leadership Studio, Music Hall and boathouse.
– Teacher St. Elizabeth Seton
Accredited with Ontario School Boards
