Outdoor Education Brochure

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Leadership • Team Building • Community Living Outdoor Experiential Education

Our Pledge • To assist teachers in meeting curriculum expectations.

• To provide students with one of the most ­memorable experiences­ of their lives.

• To offer skilled leadership, comfortable lodging and great food.

• To ensure that all programs are designed to offer students unique experiences that allow them to develop leadership and life skills.

• To help build students’ selfconfidence & self-esteem in a fun, safe and supportive environment­.

• To educate students about wildlife and conservation in an effort to foster a greater appreciation for the world we share.

• To nurture students’ love for the great outdoors and e ­ xperience all that nature has to offer.

If you have ever considered sending your students on an overnight excursion, consider sending them to Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre. At Camp Muskoka, students will fulfill a variety of curriculum expectations in a safe outdoor experiential learning environment, while developing a greater respect for their school community through leadership and team building programs, all while having the time of their lives.

Many principals and teachers agree, allowing students to share this community living experience fosters strong character education and promotes positive student behavior throughout the entire school year.

Let us do it FOR YOU! Throughout your stay, Camp Muskoka’s team of teachers and instructors will lead all programs both day and evening.

Your staff’s primary role is to serve as chaperones, offering them an ­ opportunity to learn new skills while getting to know their students on a ­different level outside of the classroom.

While most schools plan an excursion such as this once a year, at Camp Muskoka, we do this everyday. We strive to make the entire Camp Muskoka

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Experience, from planning and organizing to follow-up, enjoyable for everyone.

Camp Muskoka is pleased to assist in all aspects of the excursion process.

Whether it be a “Parent Interest Letter” to determine the level of interest in your community, having a Camp Muskoka representative host an “Information ­ Night” at your school, or organizing the bus transportation, we are more than happy to help meet your school’s needs.

“ From the planning stages, to the end of the trip, this has been the easiest trip to organize. The staff is great with both kids and adults.”

Mme. Cavaliere, TDCDSB

If you have any questions or to make a reservation, please contact us toll free at 1-888-734-2267.

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

The Program

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www.campmuskoka.com oe@campmuskoka.com 1-888-734-CAMP (2267)

Below is a list of programs and activities currently being offered at Camp Muskoka. For more details on how these programs directly link to a specific grade level’s curriculum expectations, please contact our office and one of our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist. All programs and activities are conducted in accordance with the latest Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines.

Outdoor Education Programs

A Day in the Life Airplane Crash Scenario - Survivor Muskoka Aquatic Studies Canoeing & Kayaking Night Hike Orienteering Predator and Prey Coureur du Bois Ecological Games Forest Ecology Hike Geology Rocks!

Rock Climbing & Rappelling Snow Shoeing Fire Building Inuit Games Land Sports Leadership Games & Co-Operative Initiatives Low Ropes Shelter Building The History of Traditional Hunting Practices Whimsical Weather

Using the latest Ontario Ministry of Education and Training’s Ontario Curriculum, each of our programs are developed and conducted by certified teachers with the support of our experienced outdoor education instructors.

This allows both students and visiting teachers to enjoy Camp Muskoka’s unforgettable learning experence.

When booking your excursion, the teaching staff of Camp Muskoka will assist in preparing a customized itinerary to help meet the objectives of your excursion.

Whether it is to provide your students with a one-of-akind, dynamic learning experience or to simply have fun in the great outdoors. Camp Muskoka is sure to accommodate your wishes and more!

“ Having taught for 22 years I have taken students to many camps and on many trips. This, I can honestly say, was the most positive and fulfilling trip for my students. It was a terrific experience that my students thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.”

Lori Pearson, DSBN

“ This was my fifth year visiting Camp Muskoka.

Every year what I believe to be the perfect experience gets better. The programming, food and facilities are top notch! The best, however, is the staff-super job everyone! See you next year!”

David Norquay, YRDSB

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

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The Accommodations “ From start to finish the staff, facilities, and program ming has been outstanding. It’s actually a treat for the teachers to be here!”

J. DiCesare, TCDSB

Whether your students are staying in Cougar Lodge or the Cottages, all student rooms are furnished with up to 10 sets of bunk beds which can accommodate up to 20 campers, cabinets to store their gear, washrooms and shower facilities. Camp Muskoka’s student sleeping areas are designed to promote healthy social interaction while ensuring that everyone has a friend, offering students an incredible community living experience. Schools are assigned sleeping quarters based on the needs and size of their student population. Male and female students are assigned to separate sleeping quarters.

The visiting school’s teachers bedrooms are immediately adjacent to the students’ rooms, offering both students and visiting staff privacy, while enabling the teachers to be immediately available to any student’s needs. A Camp Muskoka staff member is always on-site and on- call throughout the night should the visiting school need any assistance. Camp Muskoka’s assembly buildings, select sleeping quarters, showers and washrooms are fully accessible.

Cougar Lodge Cottages

The Staff

At Camp Muskoka, the hiring, training, and maintaining of a caring and nurturing staff is an integral part of our foundation.

We seek out individuals who lead by example and who treat people and the environment around them with respect.

Our certified teachers and outdoor education instructors come from various backgrounds, offering our guests a mosaic of skills and expertise.

All staff continually upgrade their skills and certifications to offer our guests the highest level of safety and service.

All Camp Muskoka staff possess current First Aid and C.P.R. qualifications in addition to providing us with a vulnerable sector police record check and several commendable references.

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“ Camp Muskoka has a terrific facility and a beautiful location, but the best resource truly is the staff. They are experienced, positive, friendly and approachable. Teachers have teammates at Camp Muskoka!”

Angela Maccaroni, NCDSB

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

The Food

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www.campmuskoka.com oe@campmuskoka.com 1-888-734-CAMP (2267)

Good nutrition is an essential ingredient in healthy living, especially for growing children. The chefs at Camp Muskoka take great pride in the food service they provide to all of our guests. Our menu follows Health Canada’s Food Guide ensuring well-balanced, nutritious meals.

Students receive three square meals a day, second helpings are always available and a snack is also provided in the evening. Camp Muskoka is proud to be the first camp in Canada to receive the Eat Smart! Award of Excellence. We have also received several awards for our homemade breads.

Camp Muskoka is a “Nut Safe” environment and has acknowledged that many of our guests come to us with a variety of life threatening food allergies. As a result, we have a strict Anaphylaxis Prevention Policy where all staff is trained in the knowledge of a variety of food allergens and their derivative forms, as well as the prevention of cross-contamination to ensure a safe eating environment for all of our guests. If your child has any special dietary needs (i.e. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy specific) please detail these needs on your Camp Muskoka Registration Form and contact the Camp Muskoka office to discuss arrangements. Below are samples of some of the food items commonly served at Camp Muskoka.

Breakfast

Lunch

Pancakes Sausages Cold & Hot Cereal Home Baked Breads Croissants & Bagels Muffins Fresh Fruit

Build-Your-Own Subs Hamburgers Hot Dogs Home Made Soups Fresh Baked Breads Crisp Salads Assorted Vegetables

Hot Chocolate 100% Real Fruit Juices Milk

Healthy Choice Desserts 100% Real Fruit Juices Milk

Dinner

Herb Roasted Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, Gravy & a Medley of Fresh Vegetables Slow Roasted “AAA” Beef with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy & Fresh Vegetables Spaghetti with choice of Meat, Tomato, or Alfredo Sauce Caesar Salad & Fresh Garlic Bread Healthy Choice Desserts Milk

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

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The Program Camp Muskoka

Outdoor Education Leadership Centre

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre specializes in a 3-day and 4-day, overnight experience for grades 5-12, as well as college and university levels. We can also custom design programs for any length of stay with a wide variety of program focuses from leadership and team building to recreational or curriculum specific.

Available from early September through to late June, our outdoor education leadership programs enable us to host a variety of special seasonal events in addition to a wide range of year-round programming. In any season, autumn, winter, or spring, these special seasonal events will allow your school to return year after year and always experience something new and exciting!

At Camp Muskoka, students may fulfill a variety of curriculum expectations in a safe outdoor experiential learning environment, while developing a greater respect for their school community through leadership and team building programs.

While a majority of our programs assist teachers in meeting Science and Technology, History, Geography and Social Studies curriculum expectations, virtually every program assists teachers in meeting several Health and Physical Education curriculum expectations. Camp Muskoka offers a plethora of exciting recreational activities designed to develop new skills, stimulate group participation, build positive self-esteem and foster leadership abilities; all while exploring the wonders of nature.

pletely blown “ We have been com pected this away. I had never ex camp. You a level of service from ts better people. We en ud have made our st & this level of growth couldn’t have had se. I el udents anywhere leadership in our st xt year.” ne can’t wait to come , DDSB Brewster Williams

“ I have taken students to several other overnight camps. I now only take them to Camp Muskoka. Complete experience far outweighs the others. Thank you for a third successful year hosting us.”

Josée Wright, KRDSB

have camp experience I “ This was the best skoka Mu p m Ca commend re ly gh hi I d. ha er ev ents. your leadership stud g in br to e ac pl a as l and d for both powerfu All activities allowe is a is Th . es nc rk experie meaningful teamwo top notch facility.” , PVNCCDSB Lindsay Ruthousky

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“A great experience that allowed students to build community, teamwork , and experience the beauty of nature.”

Amanda Lamacchia YCDSB

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

The Facility

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Nestled in the lush forests of the Canadian Shield, our 500 acre private facility contains several distinct ecosystems and unique natural geographical features, including three private lakes, wetlands, streams, an island and a beautiful 30 foot natural rock face offering a variety of climbing routes. Additional features that have been added to this pristine wilderness include an archery range, low ropes courses, camp fire sites, orienteering courses and a variety of gaming areas, all of which are connected by kilometers of groomed trails making Camp Muskoka an ideal setting for a team building leadership experience.

Camp Muskoka also offers over 40,000 square feet of indoor space. Whether your group is residing in Cougar

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Camp Muskoka offers outdoor educational leadership and recreational programming year round to school groups ranging from 30 to over 200 students.

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Camp Muskoka is located approximately 90 minutes north of Toronto in Bracebridge, Ontario, the heart of beautiful Muskoka. Our prime location offers the best of both worlds; all the amenities of town (including a full service hospital just minutes away) with all the privacy of wilderness.

Lodge or the Cottages, all sleeping accommodations are equipped with separate sleeping areas for students and teachers, and come complete with electricity, plumbing, heating and air conditioning. Visiting staff will also enjoy the amenities of a Staff Lounge equipped with a variety of comforts including high speed internet and satellite TV. Both the Pavilion and Pine Hall sit on a hilltop overlooking beautiful Cougar Lake and serve as ideal locations for large group indoor activities. The entire facility of Camp Muskoka is supported by automatic back-up generators ensuring power security no matter what the weather or season.

Another highlight is Camp Muskoka’s Canopy Aerial Park!

This 18 element high ropes challenge course takes students on an eco-adventure through the forest canopy of Camp Muskoka, culminating with the longest zip-line over water in Ontario. Our challenge courses are “challenge by choice” and are designed to encourage leadership, communication skills and social development within a student group and are an exceptional way to foster self confidence.

“ Hands down this is the absolute best outdoor camp to bring kids to.

Camp Muskoka has surpassed our expectations and has included those ‘additional touches’ that make this camp our home. The entire experience Jo-Ann Dawson, YRDSB was truly the best!!”

Cougar Lake

Cougar Lake is our very own private lake, spanning one kilometer and covering nearly 50 acres. This pristine body of water is spring fed and quite shallow, offering swimmers very comfortable water temperatures from the beginning of June through to the end of September.

Cougar Lake is also ideal for ice fishing and other winter sports from January through to the end of March.

Camp Muskoka Outdoor Education Leadership Centre 1-888-734-CAMP (2267) | oe@campmuskoka.com

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Got questions?

CONTACT US! Local: 705-645-6000 Toll Free: 1-888-734-CAMP oe@campmuskoka.com

Get the scoop! @CAMPMUSKOKA @CAMPMUSKOKA /CAMPMUSKOKA “ Exceeded a ll of our exp ectations.

From the pa ssionate sta ff to the beautiful gro unds, Camp M uskoka is a must fo r school trip s.”

Adam C larke, PDSB

“ An amazing experience that challenged kids to reach and push their limits and left them feeling so proud and accomplished! Thank you for such an awesome experience in the outdoors!!!”

Katie Patner, HDSB

e t has becom “A trip tha ol o ch s r in ou embedded e th f o d one culture an dents ts that stu n e main ev ard to!” look forw vies, Michael Da YRDSB