Fall 2011
In the spring of 2010, Muskoka Woods opened the doors to the Leadership Studio. To say the space is beautiful is a gross understatement. I could try and describe the tall and open reclaimed barn wood ceilings or the sweeping views of Lake Rosseau from the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors, but I wouldn’t be able to do it justice.
Over a year from its grand opening, the Leadership Studio has not lost any of its charm. Created as a space to develop leadership in youth and adults, the studio developed its curriculum by engaging the senses along with the intellect.
This Fall, the Leadership Studio piloted several new programs. Favorites included Bridging Cultures with the Pauline Johnson: A Poetry and Paddle Making Experience Coffee Shops and the Spread of Ideas Stargazing and the Power of Seeing and Sherlock Holmes Non-linear thinking.
In addition to the beauty of the setting and the high quality of the programming, have I mentioned the FOOD?! In short, it’s incredible! The best part of the Leadership Studio is the opportunity for Muskoka Woods to host groups of people with extremely important mandates. Included in our visitors this season are Streetlevel (working to eradicate poverty), Urban Promise (empowering young street leaders), the International Justice Mission (building a national justice movement), Centennial High School ( building community for marginalized youth), and Trillium League ( bringing together young leaders).
"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already."
John Buchan
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Get S.W.O.L.E
During week 8 of last summer, Muskoka Woods was fortunate to host Orlando Bowen, 4½ year CFL veteran (Toronto Argonauts/Hamilton Tiger-Cats) and Executive Director of One Voice, One Team (http://www.onevoiceoneteam.org/about_us_our_story.html), as guest coach for Fanatic Flag Football.
Though his resume http://www.orlandobowen.com/page1.htm tells me that he can bench press 455lbs, the term S.W.O.L.E doesn’t come from Orlando’s physicality. S.W.O.L.E is a principle, a state of mind, and an attitude to live by: Self Respect, Work Hard, Overcome adversity, Lead by example, and Excellence.
While Orlando leads his class in their warm-up drills, he calls out, “What’s Today?” and the class chants back -- “GAME DAY!” Orlando tells them, ‘every day is an opportunity to make a difference to someone else.’ At Muskoka Woods, our hope is to inspire youth to shape their world. However, we understand that sometimes the best inspiration doesn’t come from words, but from running drills or tossing around a football.
Though his resume http://www.orlandobowen.com/page1.htm tells me that he can bench press 455lbs, the term S.W.O.L.E doesn’t come from Orlando’s physicality. S.W.O.L.E is a principle, a state of mind, and an attitude to live by: Self Respect, Work Hard, Overcome adversity, Lead by example, and Excellence.
While Orlando leads his class in their warm-up drills, he calls out, “What’s Today?” and the class chants back -- “GAME DAY!” Orlando tells them, ‘every day is an opportunity to make a difference to someone else.’ At Muskoka Woods, our hope is to inspire youth to shape their world. However, we understand that sometimes the best inspiration doesn’t come from words, but from running drills or tossing around a football.
OREC NEWS: Windsor Fall 2011
In 1994, two yellow school buses arrived at Muskoka Woods from Windsor Ontario, bringing with them young leaders from the Windsor Essex Catholic District School board. Seventeen years and almost 30,000 students later, the Muskoka Experience continues to grow and be a life changing experience for grade 8 students and grade 11 and 12 Leadership students. Muskoka Woods is proud to partner with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board to provide a program where creativity reigns, friendships flourish and confidence grows. The Muskoka Experience emphasizes that you don't have to BE the best, you just have to do YOUR best!
This past October saw almost 1000 young people trying out the zip-line, hitting the trails on mountain bikes, learning to trust each other at low ropes, playing crazy chicken games, performing amazing dances, hearing from guest speakers and most of all challenging each other to do their best.
At Muskoka Woods, we seek to Inspire youth to shape their world. We had the amazing privilege of helping a 14 year old who was confined to a wheelchair go all the way down the zip-line with his father. It was truly a life changing and inspiring experience for the young man, his family, the staff involved and his classmates who were cheering him on.
We can't wait to see the next Windsor Group arrive at Muskoka Woods in May 2012!
This past October saw almost 1000 young people trying out the zip-line, hitting the trails on mountain bikes, learning to trust each other at low ropes, playing crazy chicken games, performing amazing dances, hearing from guest speakers and most of all challenging each other to do their best.
At Muskoka Woods, we seek to Inspire youth to shape their world. We had the amazing privilege of helping a 14 year old who was confined to a wheelchair go all the way down the zip-line with his father. It was truly a life changing and inspiring experience for the young man, his family, the staff involved and his classmates who were cheering him on.
We can't wait to see the next Windsor Group arrive at Muskoka Woods in May 2012!
SUMMER NEWS: Red Friday 2011
At 8:45am on Friday, July 8th, three hundred Muskoka Woods staff and over five hundred guests gathered around the flagpole at the centre of the camp.
Different from most mornings, the feeling in the air was more solemn, respectful. What set this day apart is that it was Red Friday. On military bases across Canada, red is worn each Friday as a sign of solidarity and respect for the soldiers who have served and are serving our country, as well as those who have given their lives in the process.
At Muskoka Woods, Week 1 was coming to a close. During this time, we had hosted seventy-five guests from military families where at least one parent was in active service abroad. As a part of the Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation (MWYF) Heroes program, these guests, under the strain of an absent parent, were given a week at camp as an opportunity for us at MW to serve the families who have given so much in the service of us.
As the Canadian flag was raised and the national anthem began, a cumulative 800 voices sang the words to O Canada. That Friday, we wore red to show our support to the Muskoka Woods Heroes and the sacrifices made by their families. We support their strength and their will. We wore Red and we remembered that we are free and we are proud and we remembered those who have given us the right to be so.
The MWYF Heroes initiative is funded by the generous donation of Caldwell Financial Ltd., Canada Company and other special donors To support the MWYF Heores or other World Shaping Initiatives, visit the MWYF website at: www.muskokawoodsfoundation.com
For more information on Red Fridays, please visit: www.redfridays.ca
Different from most mornings, the feeling in the air was more solemn, respectful. What set this day apart is that it was Red Friday. On military bases across Canada, red is worn each Friday as a sign of solidarity and respect for the soldiers who have served and are serving our country, as well as those who have given their lives in the process.
At Muskoka Woods, Week 1 was coming to a close. During this time, we had hosted seventy-five guests from military families where at least one parent was in active service abroad. As a part of the Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation (MWYF) Heroes program, these guests, under the strain of an absent parent, were given a week at camp as an opportunity for us at MW to serve the families who have given so much in the service of us.
As the Canadian flag was raised and the national anthem began, a cumulative 800 voices sang the words to O Canada. That Friday, we wore red to show our support to the Muskoka Woods Heroes and the sacrifices made by their families. We support their strength and their will. We wore Red and we remembered that we are free and we are proud and we remembered those who have given us the right to be so.
The MWYF Heroes initiative is funded by the generous donation of Caldwell Financial Ltd., Canada Company and other special donors To support the MWYF Heores or other World Shaping Initiatives, visit the MWYF website at: www.muskokawoodsfoundation.com
For more information on Red Fridays, please visit: www.redfridays.ca
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