School trips play a vital role in enriching students’ education by removing students from the classroom and giving them the opportunity for experiential learning, which complements and enhances traditional instruction. A visit to Muskoka Woods transports students to a lush, 1,100-acre woodland on the shores of Lake Rosseau, where they get to experience a dazzling natural setting and participate in a roster of outstanding activities that have become synonymous with the Muskoka Woods’ name. Teamwork and leadership skills are built into every activity at Muskoka Woods, which helps to foster personal growth and nurtures the social, cultural and intellectual development of students. Your students’ time at Muskoka Woods will not only impact them on a personal level, but will ripple outwards, having a positive effect on the classroom and on the school community as a whole.
Now that you’ve chosen Muskoka Woods as the destination for your next school trip, you’ll want to make sure your students get the most out of their experience! Read on for tips on how to make your school retreat to Muskoka Woods a memorable one.
Choose the time of year that suits your students best
Muskoka Woods is one of the few facilities that is open all year — even in the winter! We welcome schools and groups for two-night stays from September through mid-June. The first thing you’ll have to do is decide whether your group wants to take in the Muskokas in all their colourful fall splendour, book a snow-filled retreat in the winter, or take advantage of the warmer weather — and the possibility of riding down the famous Kraken six-lane waterslide — in the spring. Other factors to consider are the ages of your students and the types of activities you want to do. Also, some seasons have reduced rates, so if your school has a tight budget, then a visit during non-peak times might be beneficial.
Plan your activities accordingly
Your Experience Expert will work with you to realize your school’s goal in booking a trip to Muskoka Woods and help you schedule activities accordingly. Some activities have an outdoor education component while others focus more on team-building and leadership. Spring and fall activities include high ropes (with a team-focused aerial trust dive!), nature hikes, archery, tennis and many more. A sampling of winter activities includes snowshoeing, tubing, curling, and indoor rock climbing. All seasons offer fun team-building games and exercises.
Be prepared
Making sure your students are prepared for their overnight stay at Muskoka Woods is vital to their comfort and enjoyment. Students should bring:
- Labelled water bottle
- Hat
- Watch
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Sunscreen
- Jacket, raincoat and rubber boots
- Closed-toed running shoes
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Underwear and socks
- Weather appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty (layers are key!)
- Pyjamas
- Pillow
- Blanket/sleeping bag/single-fitted sheet/single bed sheets
- Towel
- Flashlight
For winter, students can ditch the sunscreen and insect repellent in favour of appropriate outerwear for doing outdoor activities, including:
- Snow pants and jacket
- Waterproof mittens/gloves
- Winter boots
It’s not about the destination, it’s the journey
But in this case, it’s both! Muskoka Woods is reasonably accessible by vehicle for most schools in Southern and Central Ontario and a great way to start your team-building trip is on the bus! Being on a bus together is an informal, no-pressure way for students to form deeper bonds with each other — and their teachers — before they even get to Muskoka Woods. Encourage fun and silliness by coming armed with campfire songs to sing out loud so they’ll have them memorized before they roast their first marshmallow!
Take advantage of the unique setting
What sets Muskoka Woods apart from other school trips, is its spectacular setting along 2,800 feet of shoreline. Students will have the opportunity to completely unplug and immerse themselves in nature in a way that they typically cannot, which will also help them form deeper connections with their friends and peers. Activities are selected to highlight the natural surroundings and really take advantage of your time spent away at camp.
The winter experience challenges guests to snowshoe into the woods. In spring and fall, students can go on a nature hike where the sound of birds replaces the hum of traffic. The natural surroundings also help students learn about the importance of respecting the environment and environmental stewardship.
Muskoka Woods takes pride in being one of the most accessible camp destinations in Ontario, regardless of the season. Many of the accommodations and facilities are wheelchair accessible and several rooms are equipped with platform wheelchair lifts. And if a student requires a parent or personal support worker (PSW) during their stay, the parent or PSW can attend at no charge.
Rely on the expertise of Muskoka Woods staff members
Muskoka Woods’ expertly trained staff have a lot to offer in terms of making your trip a memorable one. Like all staff at Muskoka Woods, your Host Instructor shares a common desire to help young people realize their full potential while having the time of their lives! Muskoka Woods staff are experts at fostering a strengthened sense of community among guests targeted to their specific ages, and can help them draw life lessons from their experience.
A school trip to Muskoka Woods is a valuable learning experience for students, giving them a chance to form bonds with their peers and challenge themselves along the way, which boosts confidence and develops leadership qualities that will carry back over into your school environment. Most importantly, students will leave with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Visit schools.muskokawoods.com for more information or to book your next Schools and Groups visit.
