#muskokawoods

[travellingwithgenevieve]

Muskoka Woods

Ever since I watched Camp Rock as a little kid, I've wanted to go to a camp and be a camp counselor. An opportunity just popped up at my school for me to be a camp counsellor/activity leader, and I knew I had to take it.

We took a coach bus all the way from my school to Muskoka. We picked up another school and a couple other people on the way until our bus stopped working. We had to switch buses and with all the stops we had to make, it took most of the day to get there. Once we got to Muskoka it went pretty smoothly. We got a tour of the property, told how to run things and just made sure the campers stayed safe in the cabins.

The Muskoka Woods experience was also so amazing, and I became incredibly close with other counselors from my school. I spent all 4 days next to one of my now best friends Ali, and became super close with a couple others. The counselors in my building would always hang out on the porch and talk about the campers, and the counselors would always group up to tell stories about our day.

The scenery was also very beautiful and the activities were so fun. I loved walking around the forest and around camp seeing the lake and trees. The sunrises and sunsets were also so beautiful and one of the best I’ve ever seen. The activities were also super fun for the kids. The counselor mainly just stood there and translated what the workers were saying to french and didn't do the activities since we got there late on the first day but at one station I was at, our group didn't show up so Ali and I got to do one and it was so fun.

Muskoka was really fun, however 4 days was pretty long. The food was decent, but it was hard to live off of it for 4 days, and it made me sick on the second day. The weather was also not the best with the activities we were doing. Ali and I were on the front hill for two days, and it was freezing to the point we had to go inside. It was also pretty boring during the activities since we basically just stood there all day and translated a couple words. We would try to tighten the harnesses, but the workers would still try and tighten them after us. We basically just stood there.

The 7th graders were also pretty annoying for hanging around them for 4 days. They would never want to do the activities and they would complain the entire day. However, they were fascinating and funny with all their drama and all their jokes. I was never bored when I was with them.

Overall, my experience at Muskoka was extremely fun and I would do it again this year. Even with the annoying 7th graders and the weather, it was a very enjoyable experience with my friends that I will never forget.

[joecares]

Only picture I took at NSN is this sexy number! #nsn #naturallysupernatural #biblebashers #hesok #lad #buds #muskokawoods #teamhospo #lilfro #lols #gg #camping

[michelleloweholder]

Tonites view #canuk #canada #canada🇨🇦 #view #sunset #landscape #muskoka #muskokalakes #beauty #muskokalakes #muskokaliving #muskokawoods #home

[gottabsomethingmore]

Hey #educators I don't know about you but I was hoping for a bit more snow this #holidayseason. #winterbreak just didn't seem complete without some of my favourite #winteractivities like #skiing #iceskating #sledding - #dreaming of the #snowy hills of @muskokalakes Credit @muskokabookmarks #muskoka #muskokawoods #winterwonderland #escape #holiday #nature #forest #naturelovers #cottagelife #muskokaliving https://www.instagram.com/p/BsVkQryn4gE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vqafhjbompim

[asenvs3000]

Making green unicorns fly

Thoughts of Nature Interpretation & Privilege

I have worked at MuskokaWoods** for several seasons (almost 10 months over the course of two years). My role there was a nature interpreter of sorts. My job allowed me to give kids an appreciation for nature in a very unique way, form the angle of 60 feet in the air through high rope, climbing, and ziplining in the Muskoka forests.  

**I don’t speak for the brand or the company

Taken by me, the MuskokaWoods High Ropes Course & Zipline

My favourite moments though we when we would get a group that had a kid(s) with a disability (mental or physical). Thanks to a special rigging system we were able to hoist kids up that couldn’t climb. Getting to help kids experience the world from this perspective always brings me so much joy but helping the kids with specials needs experience it is on a whole new level. On one such occasion, a boy with downs syndrome was getting ready to go up the zipline but was also very concerned that “Is it safe? people can’t fly.”. My answer was, “Well, how about you pretend to be something that does fly?” to which he said very seriously, “A green unicorn.” which is what his classmates chanted for him as he made to the top. 

In reflection, I am uncomfortably aware of my own privilege, being able-bodied and neurotypical. This is good though. When we recognize this discomfort we can shift our mindset to see other perspectives and to help drive us, as individuals and as a society, to be more inclusive. Nature interpretations is about giving people an experience beyond what they could have by themselves, something that everyone should have access to. I am incredibly grateful for the learn opportunity I’ve had through working at MuskokaWoods that has taught me to think creatively about where we fail to make things accessible and how we can change that.  

Think about a situation where an interpreters job may not be accessible to someone; a guided tour through woods may not allow for wheelchair access, an interpreter may be not annunciate clearly or block their mouth restricting lip reading for deaf/hard of hearing people, we are not always educated on the way our words or action may come across to minority groups. An important part of an interpreters work is creating a bond with the audience and we will never do this perfectly (we are all human) so long as we use our mistakes to push us forward rather than letting them hold us back.      

I’d love to hear your thoughts on privilege and how you are (or are not) affected by it. 

[ferrimanproductions-blog]

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A post shared by Alex Ferriman 📸 GoPro (@alex.ferriman)

Spinnin’ into Monday like @gopro 🤙☀️ 🎥 🔄 • • • • • • #GoPro  #goprohero6 #goprohero5  #goprocurator #experiencedifferent #goprovideo #muskokawoods #Gopro_featured #goprouniverse #gopromemoriae #gopronation #slowmotion #mondaymood 👇
@gopro 
@boomeranger_official 
@goprotvchannel 
@kings_gopro 
@moodygopro @gopro.momentsofficial @goproenthusiast 
@gopro_featured 
@goprocurator https://www.instagram.com/p/BoG0v_oHVkl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p8g2nsn24o6g

[kidsumers]

My cautious kids skipped the chance to race down the KRAKENracer @MuskokaWoods, but they did try other fun activities like kayaking and marksmanship. They each found something that worked for their personal interests. Photo credit: Muskoka Woods #MuskokaWoodsMVMT #paid #camp #waterslide #activities #summercamp #summer #fun #muskokawoods #muskoka #ontario #canada http://ift.tt/2wVRoT9 http://ift.tt/2vwR9KB

[anarchannie]

Had fun hanging out with this kid and other new friends at Muskoka Woods. #Canada #muskoka #muskokawoods #leadershipstudio2k16 (at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort)

[travellingwithgenevieve]

On our way back! Are we out of the woods yet? LOL!! Super fun! Keep your eyes out for the Muskoka review!

[mlaformatisspokenfor]

Some highlights from @muskokawoods staff week. It's been a blast. #mwcitycamp #iammuskokawoods #muskokawoods #staffweek2016 #whoareyou

[michelleloweholder]

Wood stains under the house - naturel beauty #canada #muskoka #muskokaaesthetics #muskokawoods #muskokaliving #wood #naturel #texture #colour #naturelbeauty #nature #art #naturephotography #inspiration #inspirationstyle #design #canada🇨🇦

[gottabsomethingmore]

Hey #educators , I don't know about you but I'm not ashamed to admit that I love when I can be in my #pj before 8pm. I only wish my #pjgear was from the beautiful @muskokabearwear - a little piece of one of the most beautiful places I know @muskokalakes @muskokawoods #muskokawoods @ontariotravel @discoverontario #thisismyontario #ontario #canadian #canadiangirls #canadianfashion #ohcanada #strongandfree #cozy #comfy #fridaynight #friyay #fridayvibes #fridaymood #teacher #teacherlife #teacherworld #KandAworld https://www.instagram.com/p/BsO9FU7H1ge/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18bic30ofj2lp

[travellingwithgenevieve]

On our way to Muskoka woods!

[michelleloweholder]

Town church #canada #church #wood #structure #photography #architecture #architecturelovers #tower #beauty #muskoka #design #muskokalife #town #muskokawoods