Glendon McGowan joined Camp Mini-Yo-We’s staff team in October as our Operations Assistant. A MYW alumni, he came back to Camp after serving with Torchbearers in Europe over the past two years, most recently at Capernwray Hall in England.
What did you do for Family Day this year? Nine families joined us at Camp Mini-Yo-We this Family Day weekend and it was fantastic! So often campers and guests experience Mini-Yo-We with their friends but on this weekend, parents got to jump in on the action and create some truly wonderful memories. From torch walks to terrific food and community in the lodge, everyone had an amazing time!
Interns’ Insider Perspective
From September to June, a group of young people join us at Camp for the final stage of our Leadership Development Pathway: the MYW Internship. They are usually between the ages of 18 and 25. Interns help with all aspects of our year-round activities, welcoming schools, churches and other guest groups in the fall, winter and spring. This team led over our Family Day weekend and shared a few memorable moments with me:
- “Ben [a guest] was such a joy! When asked what he would like to do when he grows up, he said, ‘Work at Camp Mini-Yo-We!’ I’m glad that I have been able to be a part of making this such a positive experience for him!” – A.K.
- “The talent show was a highlight of the weekend! There were so many great talents and we got to enjoy a campfire afterward with the guests—and roast marshmallows!” – Junia
- “As we stood on Mary Lake’s ice, one of the younger guests exclaimed, ‘Wait, are we standing on the lake? That’s so sick !’ It’s eye-opening experiences like this that make my day!” – Luis
- “I loved helping to facilitate the activity competitions and I enjoyed giving the families those experiences to compete together!” – Sam
- “Lukas, who is five years old, climbed the rock wall in under a minute! Impressive! I’ve not seen anyone do it that fast in the last five months!” – Junia
- “It was so heartwarming to see how much fun the kids had dancing and singing at the morning devotions and how they tried to convince their parents to wake up earlier. Morning devotionals were so much fun!” – A.K
- “Talking with a couple of moms at the last campfire, they mentioned that they love Family Day weekend at Camp Mini-Yo-We as they get to spend so much time with their kids and everything else is taken care of. They don’t have to stress about anything other than just enjoying being with their family!” – Jez
All in all, not only was the weekend exciting for the guests who came to experience time together away from the busyness of life, it was also beneficial for our interns. They were able to further their leadership skills and develop a servant-hearted attitude. We would love for you to join us next year! Hope to see you there!
Bring Your Group to Camp!
From church groups to school trips to team-building retreats, Camp Mini-Yo-We is the perfect Muskoka getaway in every season. Our year-round program team hosts a variety of outdoor activities and our food services team prepares delicious meals and snacks. To find out more, check out our Groups & Retreats webpage or contact the office at 705-385-2629 or info@miniyowe.com.