Muskoka Woods is a Christian youth resort that welcomes all young people to life-changing experiences. Unlimited fun is delivered through our trustworthy staff, top-notch facilities and 50+ activities. By encouraging youth to reflect and draw deeper meaning from fun experiences, we give them the confidence to shape their world!
Special needs:
Yes, mild support. A few of our campers have special needs.
All guests at Muskoka Woods are led by our trustworthy staff through an unmatched activity schedule and amazing evening programs. They stay in air-conditioned cabins with HEPA filters while enjoying the beautiful shores of Lake Rosseau.
Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Muskoka Woods currently has 2 programs available.
Ropes Course|Baking/Decorating|Cooking|Makeup Artistry|Podcasting|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Woodworking|Archery|Badminton |Basketball|Cricket|Flag Football|Gaga|Golf|Pickleball|Rugby|Soccer|Tennis|Volleyball|Skateboarding|Hiking|Paintball|Ping Pong|Rock Climbing|Scooter|Sports-Instructional and Training|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Sailing/Marine Skills|Stand Up Paddle Boarding|Swimming|Tubing|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Zip Line
Registration Details
Registration for summer camp opens in September each year and it’s easy to register online! Parents simply pick the week they’d like their child(ren) to attend and begin the process. After completing our online registration process, parents receive an email confirming their week(s). We require an initial deposit of $400 for each week per child, which can be booked with a VISA or MasterCard. Our online system is safe, secure and confidential. Final account payments are due April. If registering after final account payment deadline, full payment is required at the time of registration.
Located in the heart of cottage country, the vast offering of activities, and sparkling facilities, are what attract families and delight campers. There are all the traditional camp activities, though there a host of others in addition, from axe throwing to radio production. It’s a lot, to be sure, and some campers might feel a bit overwhelmed deciding what they want to do on any given day. That said, the camp has a reputation for delivering a stellar experience, something it is uniquely able to do. Buildings are modern, and staff are engaged and supportive. Day programs are of interest to families with cottages nearby, and specialty weeks, including girls’ only sessions, are varied and appealing.
This was my daughter’s first year at overnight camp, she had an amazing week! She made new friends and memories! She has been teaching us all her camp songs. Definitely coming back next year!
Chris, parent of Venture (ages 9-10) guest, Parent
Son can't wait to go back!
Our son had so many good stories from all the sports and adventures he was able to experience. The counsellors were amazing and he had a great time, especially as a first-timer.
Jan, parent of Jr. High (ages 11-12) guest, Parent
Above and beyond expectations!
The fantastic activities, unbelievably organized, the communication, the friendly staff — all above and beyond what we expected!
Michelle, parent of a Senior High (ages 13-14) guest, Parent
New experiences you can't get elsewhere!
My daughter experienced things she thought she would never try! The staff and counsellors were kind, patient and super friendly!
Denise, parent of a Crew (ages 15-16) guest, Parent
Freedom in a safe environment
The camp gives kids an opportunity to try so many new activities. They ensure an inclusive environment and keep kids well engaged throughout the entire week. It’s a great opportunity for kids to experience a little bit of freedom in a safe environment.� ...Show More
Transcript of our interview with Paul, Camp Director
What is unique about Muskoka Woods
Muskoka Woods Summer Camp is for kids ages 6 to 16. You can come for one week or multiple weeks. One of the things that makes Muskoka Woods unique is that we are a place like no other. We believe there isn’t another overnight summer camp in Ontario that can boast as much prime lakefront as we have on Lake Rosseau in beautiful Muskoka. Guests are immersed in the natural beauty of Muskoka, which encourages them to reflect and draw deeper meaning from fun experiences.
The location’s beauty is only matched by the facilities, which include a six-lane water slide, a 1,000-foot zipline, a huge inflatable Wibit water park, a beautiful boathouse, and even an open-concept leadership studio. Every cabin is equipped with air conditioning and HEPA filters. We also place the highest priority on safety at Muskoka Woods, because we understand that every guest is someone’s most prized possession.
We have a full health care centre with a team that includes an on-site doctor every week all summer, registered nurses every week, and a seasonal team of student nurses. We go well above and beyond the Ontario Camps Association standards for lifeguard coverage, and we provide more staff training than any other camp. We’re also one of the few camps to receive Plan to Protect’s Seal of Excellence.
We recently partnered with an organization called MindUP, which focuses on supporting healthy emotional and mental health in young people. It was created by Goldie Hawn, and we partnered with them to create a full curriculum for camps. We’ve been very excited to bring that into Muskoka Woods as well.
What type of child is successful at your camp?
We welcome all youth ages 6 to 16 for an experience of a lifetime. We believe that summer camp is important for kids and teenagers, full stop. Muskoka Woods provides a safe space for children to learn new skills, make new friends, improve social awareness, and grow in confidence. There’s something about what happens at Muskoka Woods when young people start to realize they’re valuable as they are—not just for their gifts, but also for their quirks.
It might be that they make a new friend, or that someone affirms them for something they’re good at and they’ve never heard that before. Something changes when they feel safe and encouraged to be themselves. I can’t tell you how often I hear young people say, “I’ve never felt so safe or encouraged to be myself.” They often discover they’ve been holding back a gift without realizing it.
Whether they’re into the arts, sports, water activities, or just meeting people, there’s something for everyone. There’s also a challenge for everyone, because part of growing in confidence is being willing to take risks. At Muskoka Woods, it always works, and there’s nothing else like it.
How do your staff deal with behavioural issues?
Before responding to behavioural issues, we focus on preventing them. There’s no better way to deal with an issue than by ensuring it doesn’t arise in the first place. For example, our cabinmate request policy helps avoid conflict by letting campers avoid people they’ve had negative experiences with in the past, and ensures everyone has someone they know in their cabin—without letting entire cliques dominate a cabin dynamic.
We hire over 350 summer staff from around the world, which gives us a 2-to-4 staff-to-guest ratio. We know that most behavioural issues arise when staff aren’t present, so we ensure staff are everywhere and well trained. We enforce a zero-tolerance bullying policy and set clear expectations with all guests each week.
Our staff are trained to define reality. That means we aim to respond appropriately—not overreact—but handle each situation with clarity. If there’s a bullying issue, we talk directly with the people involved and assess the situation for what it really is. We ask: Is someone’s safety at risk—either from someone else or from themselves? If we’re not equipped to support a camper safely, that’s when we may have to consider sending them home. But our goal is always to make it safe for every person to stay.
We also use MindUP and other training programs to give staff the tools to help young people grow without compromising anyone’s safety. These kids are trying to figure things out, and we want to help them get there in the right way.
Is the schedule structured, or is it more open?
Muskoka Woods has scheduled activities Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with lunch and free time in between. During activities, campers go to each session with their cabin. After dinner and some free time, there are unique signature evening programs specific to each age group, done together in section groups.
We offer more than 50 activities at Muskoka Woods. Yes, we have traditional ones like canoeing, sailing, basketball, and volleyball—but we also offer podcasting, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, paintball, culinary arts, cake decorating, laser tag, a giant water slide, and the Wibit water park. I’ve tried them all—they’re amazing.
What do campers value about their experience at the camp?
Muskoka Woods exists to inspire youth to shape their world. That’s why we exist. But let me tell you what inspiration actually looks like to our campers—because these are also the things they value most.
First, campers create meaningful connections. They make friends that they stay in touch with year after year, even coordinating which week they’ll return. They also form deep connections with counselors and instructors—many describe them as mentors who made a big impact on their lives.
Second, they make new discoveries. Whether it’s discovering a hidden talent, hearing encouragement for the first time, or simply realizing they can get on stage in front of 400 people and be silly, campers leave feeling changed. These are the moments they remember.
Third, they engage with our setting. That means not just the stunning natural surroundings, but also the kind, inspiring community. I hear it again and again: “Everyone at Muskoka Woods is so nice. People don’t act like this where I’m from.” Young people often say Muskoka Woods makes them want to be a better version of themselves.
Fourth, they grow in confidence. Even when campers don’t say it directly, you can see it in how they talk about their experiences. They leave with a greater sense of who they are and what they can do. And of course—it’s just plain fun. We also have something we call “Sizzle,” which adds surprise fun that makes campers say, “Muskoka Woods thinks of everything.”
What message do you have for new campers?
First, if you’re a prospective parent or camper considering Muskoka Woods, I truly don’t think there’s anything better. But before you decide, there are two things you should do.
Number one: learn everything you can about the camp. It’s a big deal to go to overnight camp, and you want to make the right choice. At Muskoka Woods, our guest relations team is available Monday to Friday to answer questions by phone, email, or chat, and our website has tons of detailed information to help you make the best decision.
Number two: know yourself. Ask yourself what kind of experience you’re looking for. What makes you nervous? What would be too far out of your comfort zone? That helps us work with you to make the experience both safe and meaningful. For example, think about whether you want to come on your own or with a friend.
Finally, I want to say—Muskoka Woods is the best. Camp has never been more important in kids’ lives than it is today. With mental health challenges and constant exposure to technology, camp is the best place to unplug, make real friends, try new things, and just have fun. I’m not faking my enthusiasm. Muskoka Woods changed my life. I started coming when I was 11, joined the CEO leadership program, worked on seasonal staff, and even met my wife here. We now have three kids, and I want every guest to experience Muskoka Woods in their own powerful, unique way—just like I did.
Paul has been a part of Muskoka Woods since his first summer as guest in 1996. He spent time working in the kitchen, on Water Ski Staff, as the General Athletics Area Head, as a Staff Coach and an Athletic Director for three years. Paul graduated with a Recreation and Leisure Studies diploma at Humber College. He spent six years working as a full-time youth pastor in Oakville and Ajax focusing on weekly events, programs and retreats with the hope of leading and mentoring junior and senior high school students during pivotal times in their lives. Paul has a passion for developing young leaders for today and the future. Paul met the love of his life Victoria at Muskoka Woods in 2006. They are married with three children and love watching them grow in confidence at camp each summer!
Staff and Counsellors
Muskoka Woods is led by a qualified and experienced full-time team. In addition to decades of experience at Muskoka Woods, many hold degrees in education, youth development and master’s degrees in leadership. Our summer staff of 350 are the best and the brightest from around the world and allow us to maintain a 2:4 staff:camper ratio. It’s one of the best overnight summer camp ratios in North America. Muskoka Woods believes in, and puts into practice world-class training and development for our staff, including certification in occupational health & safety, emergency preparedness & procedure customer service standards, youth culture & development, insights from child protection experts and specific training for each section at camp.
More details about property: There simply just isn’t another overnight summer camp in Ontario that can boast about having as much prime lake front on Lake Rosseau in beautiful Muskoka. The location’s beauty is only matched by the facilities that include a 6-lane waterslide, huge inflatable waterpark, beautiful boat house and open-concept leadership studio.
Accommodations
Sleeping Accommodations
Cabins
Amenities
Electricity in Sleeping Area
Shower in Sleeping Area
Toilet in Sleeping Area
Washrooms Facilities
Flush Toilets
Showers (indoor)
More details about accommodations: Guests love Muskoka Woods cabins! Super-thick six-inch mattresses, climate control with HEPA filters and full washroom/shower facilities located in the cabins or in a centrally located building ensure a comfortable stay.
Are meals provided?
Yes. During their stay, guests enjoy a balanced menu, prepared with the freshest ingredients, that provides them with the energy they need to keep them active. We accommodate many dietary restrictions or allergies, too.
Is Muskoka Woods technology free?
We recognize that camp is a transforming experience where kids get to have fun, grow in confidence and leave inspired to shape their world, and that technology can sometimes be a barrier to the full potential that is offered through camp. We recommend that all communication devices should stay at home. Our Cell Phone Policy can be found on our website at: muskokawoods.com/phone-policy
I helped a little WILD guest named Emma ride a skateboard for the very first time today! Even after a bunch of little falls at first, she insisted on learning how to do it properly. I kept going around the skateboarding loop with her to make sure she didn’t get hurt, but she demonstrated so much confidence in herself. By the end she was skateboarding like a pro! She had learned so much in only 1.5 hours and she even said that it was her favourite activity of the week so far! Way to go, Emma!
This is Braden’s first time doing two weeks at Muskoka Woods. Going into the week he was extremely anxious, and super homesick. For the first couple nights he struggled sleeping, and would be in tears at bedtime. As the nights have gone by, he’s gotten a lot less homesick and we've been managing it much better. He’s really worked on immersing himself into all the camp activities, and has made a conscious effort to get involved and get his mind off his homesickness!
Madison was very scared to go on the Wibit and wanted to stay floating in the water. After I showed how to get up and what it’s like, she gave it a try and loved it! But she was still scared to jump off, so I did a crazy fun jump to show that it’s not scary and lots of fun. After a few deep breaths, and saying “I can do it, Y E S, I can do it, Y E S, yes!” She jumped off into my hands and loved it, then said “I was so brave! I did it!” And proceeded to do it again about 20 more times, sometimes by herself, for the next hour!
Eric was scared the entire week to go on the Wibit or Kraken, but on his last day he said he was going to overcome his fears because he doesn’t know the next time he will be at Muskoka Woods. I told him I would go on the kraken with him because no one should overcome their fears alone so we went up to the top and both went down together. He immediately jumped up at the end and said “Can we go again??” and so we did! Eric showed me that you should do anything even if you’re scared because you will never know when you will have the chance to do that again.
Rachel was very anxious and nervous about performing in impact, worried about her voice, what to say, how the audience would react, and if she’ll remember the words. After a little pep talk and deep breaths, she went up and performed Party In The USA. She came back so excited and joyful, said it was the best feeling and experience for herself, and wants to do it again! She’s so glad she ended up performing at impact!
I’ve had a guest with me for multiple weeks and it has been awesome watching her grow in confidence during here time here at Muskoka Woods. When she first arrived she was a quiet, shy girl who just sort of tagged along when it came to group activities. Now she’s really grown out of her shell and has started organizing cabin clean up, as well as taking initiative for convo cafe chats. On Super Sunday this week, she stood at the door and greeted all the girls into the cabin. She asked them questions including where they are from, and what activities they are all looking forward to, ensuring they felt welcomed into our cabin. I’m super proud of her for growing out of her shell and hope that she continues to develop her character even as she leaves at the end of the week.
One of my guests in Venture was born with a heart defect that results in a smaller size than girls around her, less energy, and a lot of wariness and caution. She had an open heart surgery in 2018, and is very insecure of the scars on her chest. Just two days into camp, I have watched a timid little girl with big mood swings, exhaustion, and nervousness become excited for the water activities and things she has never done before, even being the first one to put on her swimsuit, despite her scarring and how it makes her feel. She is especially proud of her speed on the Kraken, skill on the Wibit, and how high she was able to climb at high ropes. She has handled this week’s uncertainty and other guests’ questions about her body like a champ, with new-found confidence from camp. She has become curious and eager, which I would’ve never expected during her arrival on Sunday afternoon. She has been able to be freely herself and I’m so proud of her!
Before camp, Lucas was extremely shy and very much a boy that liked to have his Momma around.
On our way to camp, it was raining and he told me that the rain was a sign that he shouldn’t be going to camp. After setting up his bed, he looked at me and told me he was okay, and his younger sister and I could leave. I left with a tear in my eye but a happy heart because I thought he found a place to be LUCAS. Lucas after camp is much more social and I thank you for that. Lucas grew so much in the week he was at Muskoka Woods; I can’t even begin to put into words.
My son became comfortable in his skin for the first time. Thank you just isn’t enough.
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