Every year dozens of schools chose Camp Mini-Yo-We for their overnight trips. They tap into the exceptional opportunities for their students from September to June. These customized experiences are designed to meet your goals whether they be outdoor education, team development or simply outdoor fun! Each year we welcome thousands of guests to experience the benefits of a trip up to Muskoka. These trips include:
- Grade 8 Grad Trips
- Outdoor Education Experiences
- Leadership Class Retreats
- Band Camps
- Science Club Trips
- … and more.
Below are some case studies of just a small sample of the typical schools that we serve. Take a look and imagine what your school could experience at Mini-Yo-We!
Pineridge Secondary School – Leadership Camp
Overview
Pineridge Secondary School has been partnering with Camp Mini-Yo-We in the development of their student leaders annually since 2016. The experience consists of two separate trips; one for the Grade 11 and 12 Student Leadership team in the fall to kick-start their training and program planning, and one led by this team for younger students in the spring. Through this two-stage experiential learning process, our Camp Mini-Yo-We staff model, support, and guide the Student Leadership Team in their program development, and actively support the facilitation of their spring programming. The first experience is focussed on leadership skills, team development, and creative program planning, while the second is focussed on practical application.
Result
Pineridge Leadership Camp has been a very successful program at Camp Mini-Yo-We, involving over 100 students year after year. The two-stage experience allows our team the opportunity to model excellent leadership, team dynamics, and program facilitation, and then support the Student Leaders as they engage in the process from brainstorming, to planning, through execution, and debrief.
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“Mini-Yo-We offers a unique space and outstanding staff to help us nurture our school leaders and build a better school community.” – Krista Parker, Teacher
Conclusion
The Pineridge Leadership Camp has been an overwhelming success from the perspective of both Camp Mini-Yo-We and the school community. The partnership between Camp Mini-Yo-We staff and the Student Leadership Team provides a high quality, high energy, creative, and engaging Camp experience for the younger students to enjoy. The unique relationships developed between the student leaders, the school faculty, and the Camp Mini-Yo-We team help the students to grow as leaders within a safe, fun, and educational environment.
Grandview Public School – Grade 8 Graduation Trip
Overview
Grandview Public School has chosen Camp Mini-Yo-We as the destination for their Grade 8 Graduation Trip annually for over 15 years. The trip serves as a celebration of their elementary school experience and friendships, providing the students the opportunity to create lasting memories together before moving on to high school. The students will enjoy a range of games and activities, as well as swimming, campfires, and the tuck shop.
Result
A graduation trip to Camp Mini-Yo-We has become a Grandview Public School tradition. It is an experience students look forward to as they move towards their Grade 8 year, and an opportunity for memories to be made. Each student receives a Camp Mini-Yo-We t-shirt as a memento, and each graduating class takes a photo together in the same location.
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We are always looking forward to our trip to Camp Mini-Yo-We. Many graduates say it was the highlight of their elementary school experience! – Erin Parker – Grandview Public School Teacher
Conclusion
The ongoing tradition of the Grandview Public School Graduation trip helps fuel the excitement and enjoyment of the experience. As a part of their end of year and graduation celebrations, it is an event that students look forward to all year.
Brooklin High School – Outdoor Education
Overview
Brooklin High School has been coming to Camp Mini-Yo-We as a part of their Outdoor Education program since 2018. They come twice a year. Their time at our facility serves as an experiential expansion to their classroom learning. Students will spend time in Muskoka walking in the forest, learning about trees, sustainable forestry, animal tracking and team collaboration. This is a two-night experience outside of the classroom and within a camp setting, spending time outside and discovering new environments.
Result
The students are provided the opportunity to learn snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter fire building, and high ropes, and to enjoy a winter forest walk. As our team facilitates the experiences, the students unpack their classroom knowledge in an outdoor setting through questions and exploration. The students make relevant connections to their learning and environment. For example – they are challenged to consider and explore how a managed forest can be sustainable, as well as provide material for the lumber industry. The campfires and nighttime torch walks allow for exploration of the night sky, away from city lights.
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“Camp Mini-Yo-We is a truly fantastic camp! The staff are excellent, knowledgeable and engaging. The buildings are clean and well kept, the grounds are expansive, and the programs are numerous, fun, and engaging. To top it off students leave Mini Yo We with experiences and memories that last a lifetime.” – Chris Kirchner – Brooklin High School Teacher
Conclusion
Students have a great time being at camp. The opportunity for the students to engage with the camp staff that are a few years older than them is a request of the teacher each year. Allowing the students to ask questions of the camp staff and learn how and why they choose to work at Camp Mini-Yo-We.
Durham College – Sports Management Program
Overview
Durham College uses Camp Mini-Yo-We to provide a location with access to a variety of activities and programming areas for one of its off site trips for students in their final year of the Sports Management Program. Using the lake, large outdoor spaces, campfire areas, and the high ropes facility, Mini-Yo-We has been their preferred location since 2003.
Result
As part of their school credit this trip is taken seriously by the students. Working together in their pre-assigned teams the students must learn new skills, and then transfer those skills into a series of time focused challenges to successfully complete course expectations. Using team building challenges and leadership skills, the teams quickly show their strengths and weaknesses when put under pressure. Camp Mini-Yo-We, with its variety of challenging activities, and large indoor and outdoor spaces, provides a perfect venue for the Sports Management Program to host their event.
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Staff at Camp Mini-Yo-We are always helpful and do a wonderful job assisting us in delivering this leadership opportunity – Janice Robinson – Durham College Teacher
Conclusion
The partnership between Durham College and Camp Mini-Yo-We has been in place for almost 20 years. The 24 hour experience that the students have at camp is one of the highlights of their final year of school. The fun, intense, loud and entertaining environment occurs because of the partnership between the college’s faculty and the camp directors.
Looking for more help with your up coming school trip?
Our team standing by! Here are your next steps:
- Drop by our schools website at this link to learn more.
- Reach out to Jez (jez@miniyowe.com) with questions to might have.
- Submit the form below for more information!
We’re looking forward to hosting your school in the coming months.