Hi Geoff,
Just wanted to thank you again for being a great host for our group this
past weekend. You really made the camp run smoothly and an enjoyable
experience for all of us.
Everyone I spoke to from our group had an amazing time and we know this
would not have been possible without your contributions and the staff at
Camp Mini-Yo-We.
We truly appreciate all your help and accommodating our schedule, especially
with taking care of the kids on the Saturday morning.
Tony
The stalwart crew from St. Justin came to Mini-Yo-We for their annual annual canoe and camping
experience. Mr. Edmonds, Ms. Russo and Mr. McLean escaped with the grade 8 PACE classes to the wilds of Muskoka. The purpose of the trip is to prepare for a canoe expedition the next spring and prepare they did. Canoeing 101, 202; learning how to pack canoe packs and put up a tent, building fires (and putting them out properly); portaging canoes and a night hike. The Mini-Yo-We staff was impressed with the perseverance of their young subjects.
Particularly memorable was the lake crossing on the 3rd day of their adventure. Straight into the wind they headed and after a few course corrections and some determined paddling everyone made it across. When we turned to cruise home the wind increased even more to the point where white caps and rollers pushed them back to the beach. Only one canoe capsizes and we can blame that one on an overzealous boat driver trying to help. Wet, tired but not defeated they prepared for an overnight campout. The boys ventured onto the ridge and slept out by and IN the tree house. The girls erected their tents beneath a huge white pine on a bed of pine needles, good choice.
Oh and don’t forget the Amazing Race with all their skills: canoeing, portaging, tents, fire building were put to the test. The winner will be forever emblazoned on the trip paddle that Mr. Edmond will honour the winning team with.
Are they ready for the trip. Why they should be, they conquered the wrath of the wind on Mary Lake. We look forward to your return to the lakes of the north for another adventure.
This past Monday and Tuesday, Mr. Bolle’s senior Healthy Active Living Education (PPL40) class from Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown, ventured to the Mini-Yo-We Outdoor Centre to experience some new recreational activities in the spectacular fall grandeur of Muskoka. They began with team building activities and ventured up into the Challenge Course dangling from poles, platforms and trees. The beautiful sunshine made the crisp and cool lake bearable as they tried out kayaking. Orienteering without getting lost? Well most of the groups did very well. Who can forget wallowing along on bikes through Wavy Gravy and Muddy Mayhem. But we weren’t finished yet we still had rock climbing and of course The Swing. Wow…and all that packed into less than two days.
SWAT is the youth group from Faith Baptist Church in Huntsville. Their new youth leader is Jordan Mason who although new to Huntsville brings lots of experience working with youth. Worship, teaching on Courage from God’s Word and of course some fun on the bike trails, ropes course and even some rappelling.
Lead by Mr. Janssen, Mrs. Rozema and Mrs. Feddema the grade 8′s from Knox invaded the Mini-Yo-We Outdoor Centre. They braved the cold to bike, shoot, climb, canoe and challenge themselves on the high ropes. They even dared to Plunge into Mary Lake in the cold rain. The weather wasn’t the best but they made the most of their time and showed the kind of character we expect from Knox students. Way to go!!!
We had a marvelous time this week with Pickering Christian School. The first day was picture perfect as we canoed on Mary Lake, explored Deadman’s Island. That evening an outdoor campfire with s’mores made for a perfect end to a tremendous visit at the Mini-Yo-We Outdoor Centre. We observed the sky as the sun set and then as the harvest moon rose above the trees and made our prognostications on the weather for the next day. The exercise was made that much more meaningful as Tom Brown, Weather Anchor, CTV News Toronto participated in the discussion. I boasted of my gift in this area of climate prediction and predicted a slow system change.
The next morning began well but soon turned rainy…oops. I j0kingly attributed the weather to the daily weather sponsor; MYWOC had sponsored Monday and that CTV News was the sponsor for Tuesday’s weather. The afternoon brought a steady rain and just as we prepared for supper a dark front of clouds moved in from the north. A light show began with steady flashes of lightning and then veins of light cutting to the far shore of the lake. The gap between lightning flash and thunder clap shortened signaling the storm was upon us. Someone noticed that the far side of the lake had disappeared and a white wall was creeping towards us. The sheet of water soon enveloped the island and the next thing we knew horizontal rain was driving us off the porch into the lodge. We spent time discussing the weather cell, looking at radar maps on my Blackberry and observing the awesome light, wind and water show around us.
We enjoyed a lovely dinner in the comfort of the lodge and the storm passed…then the power went off. The camp staff sprung into action, setting up generators to keep water moving, lights on and our guests comfortable and safe. The blackout persisted until after our school guests left at 1 pm the next day.
I recanted on my blaming the weather on Tom Brown and even crediting the great whether to MYWOC , you see we can try to predict the weather and professionals like Tom are very good at it, but that is way beyond our control. We sometimes refer to days like this as demonstrations of nature’s furor. I would prefer to refer them as demonstrations of God’s power. Remember the storm on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus calmed that storm
Luke 8:25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
We didn’t do much commanding of that storm but we have a God who controls all things. The power is back and but the storm will be a memory for many and perhaps a reminder that God’s protection is what we really need.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
