Welcome to Camp Mini-Yo-We’s Countdown to Camp series where we help you get excited and prepared for Summer 2025! Registered families can anticipate an email with a new video every Sunday at 2 PM leading up to camp. Each week focuses on an important aspect of Camp including what’s new for 2025, a tour of your camp, summer director introductions, weekly program themes, and more! Our team has gathered information that’s useful for both first-time and returning campers.
Adam Truax, our Leadership Pathway Director, hosts the first Countdown to Camp video and starts by touching on a few of the questions we receive most often from parents!
Our Approach to Technology at Camp
One of the first questions many parents ask is about the role of technology and cell phones at camp. In short, we are happy to be technology-free!
We believe camp is a special place to disconnect from screens and reconnect with God’s creation. We see being outside and enjoying nature as central to summer camp. Our experience is that being unplugged allows kids to enjoy our amazing Muskoka property and connect with new friends in a whole new way.
We also recognize that screens contribute significantly to the anxiety many kids face today. By taking a week away from technology, campers have the chance to engage fully with their surroundings, build genuine friendships, and grow spiritually and emotionally in a screen-free environment.
How Parents Can Stay Connected During Camp
While kids might experience homesickness, many parents find themselves feeling “camper sick” — wanting to connect and check in. We understand this well and have created several ways to bridge that distance without disrupting the camp atmosphere.
- Mailing Letters: Included in our “Get Excited” package are mailing labels that make dropping off letters and packages super straightforward during check-in. You can anticipate this mailing roughly two weeks before coming to camp!
- Online Messaging: For convenience, parents can visit our website and send messages directly to their camper. Our office prints these messages and delivers them during the week, ensuring your camper feels your love and support without needing a phone. Send a message using our online form.
- Camper Fun Packs: Another wonderful way to show you’re thinking of your camper is by purchasing a fun pack filled with goodies. These special packages bring an extra spark of joy and remind campers they’re loved. You can learn more about Camper Fun Packs on our website.
Friendship and Cabin Mate Requests
Camp is not just about activities; it’s about community and friendships. Naturally, many parents and campers want to know how they can ensure kids get to stay with their friends. Here’s the best approach:
- Contact Our Office: The simplest way to request cabin mates is by emailing our office at info@miniyowe.com with the names of the friends your camper wishes to be with.
- Mutual Requests Increase Success: The likelihood of campers being placed together rises significantly if both sets of parents send mutual requests. We encourage you to coordinate with the parents of your camper’s friends to submit these requests simultaneously.
Summer Staff: Who They Are and How We Prepare Them
Another common question we receive is about our summer staff: Where do they come from? How are they trained? Can parents trust them?
At Camp Mini-Yo-We, our mission is clear: developing tomorrow’s leaders through life-changing adventures in God’s creation. This mission drives our commitment to recruiting and training exceptional team members who embody our values and dedication.
Here’s how we ensure your camper is in the best hands:
- Leader-in-Training Program: We actively cultivate young leaders by engaging 16-year-olds in a four-week leadership training program. This program equips them with skills and values to eventually join our staff team.
- Extensive Staff Training: Our staff training period before the summer is double the average of other camps in Ontario. We invest heavily in thorough vetting and preparation to ensure every staff member is ready to provide a safe, fun, and spiritually enriching environment.
- Dedicated Team Development: Anna, one of our full-time staff members, is entirely devoted to team development. She spends the year searching for and supporting staff to maintain a high-quality team that is passionate about delivering an outstanding camper experience.
Exciting Additions For Summer 2025
This year brings fantastic new faces and features to Camp Mini-Yo-We, all designed to enhance your camper’s summer experience.
New Team Members
We have continued to grow and expand our team to ensure the best possible experience for your campers!
- Adam Truax — Leadership Pathway Director: As the new Leadership Pathway Director, Adam is excited to invest in our summer directors to ensure an amazing experience for our campers and summer staff.
- Nahanni Ranes — Lead Instructor: Nahanni is filling a new role focused on activities and instructions guaranteeing campers have access to tons of outdoor fun during their time with us.
- Steve McCready — Executive Director: As our new Executive Director Steve is bringing a fresh vision and leadership expertise to our year-round team!
Improved Facilities and New Features
We’re continually investing in our facilities to provide a safe, fun, and inspiring environment for campers. Here are some highlights:
- New Playground: Our beautiful new playground has quickly become a favorite spot for kids to climb, explore, and play. It’s designed to be safe and allow for tons of free play for campers ages 5-9.
- Bouldering Wall: Located beside our outdoor rock wall, the new bouldering wall offers a low climbing challenge that emphasizes balance, hand-eye coordination, and technical skill. It’s a fantastic addition for campers ages 10-15 waiting their turn to climb or those looking for a fun, safe climbing alternative.
Expanded Instruction Options
For campers aged 10 to 15 attending boys or girls camp, we offer premium instructions that allow them to dive deeper into specialized skills and adventures. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new instruction called bushcraft!
Explore the beautiful Muskoka wilderness while learning essential skills in bushcraft and outdoor survival. The focus will be on outdoor navigation, fire building, food, safe knife handling and building shelters. Take home a custom Mini-Yo-We knife as a keepsake to remember the experience by.
In addition to bushcraft, other instruction options remain available to help your camper dial their summer experience up to 10! We continue to offer Wakeboarding, Sailing and Theare Arts. Learn more and register for an instruction online.
Photo and Fun Packs: Capture and Celebrate the Moments
We know how important it is for parents to see their kids having a blast, so we’ve introduced new ways to capture those memories
- Photo Pack: For guaranteed high-quality photos of your camper in action, check out our new photo pack at campmyw.com/packs. These photos capture smiles, friendships, and exciting moments throughout the camp week.
- Fun Pack: As mentioned earlier, the fun pack is filled with goodies that remind your camper how much they are loved and supported while they’re away.
Preparing for an Incredible Summer
As we count down to camp, we want you to feel confident and excited about the upcoming summer at Camp Mini-Yo-We. Our commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment remains stronger than ever. We’ve enhanced our facilities, expanded our team with passionate leaders, and introduced new programs to ensure every camper has a life-changing adventure in God’s creation.
Remember, camp isn’t just a place to have fun — it’s a place to grow, connect, and build friendships that last a lifetime. Stay tuned for weekly updates as we continue the countdown to camp. We look forward to welcoming your family to Camp Mini-Yo-We for an unforgettable summer in 2025!
If you haven’t register yet today is the today! Sign up at www.campmyw.com/register.