Our Iona Activities - Parent's Version
Swimming
The Iona Program is nestled into a beautiful, calm corner of Echo Lake. Campers are encouraged to swim in the lake daily where supervision and instruction are provided by qualified Waterfront Staff. With a separate dock and lake space reserved for Swimming, campers are able to surely and safely master swimming skills while having lots of fun.
Canoeing
The history of Iona is filled with images of the canoe and that tradition continues. Campers have the opportunity to work toward provincial-level (ORCA) awards as well as simply have fun enjoying the water. Lessons are given by qualified and experienced instructors and units may choose to take a short canoe trip for an overnight adventure on Echo Lake. Through formal instruction, daily practice and encouragement by caring staff members, campers quickly develop a mastery of canoeing skills that leads to increased self-confidence and expanded canoe tripping possibilities.
Creation's Quest
Campers at Iona spend their days surrounded by stunning wilderness. This, combined with a philosophy of good stewardship of God's creation, is the basis of Iona's nature education program. At Iona, staff members take conscious steps to model attitudes of conservation, preservation and sustainability in every activity. Campers are encouraged to explore, value and learn to protect the environment that surrounds them. With specific studies relating to the Muskoka wilderness and our own ecological footprints, campers quickly develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
Outdoor Living Skills
Life at Iona is a constant lesson in the outdoors. From the moment of arrival, campers learn skills like no trace camping, fire building, shelter construction, outdoor cooking and waste management that equip them to survive more harmoniously with the wilderness. The practical application of these skills in daily camp life enables quick and thorough mastery. As campers acquire the necessary skills they become more and more self-sufficient, relying less and less on their counselors. This independence leads to the development of skills such as time management, leadership, decision making and planning. The Outdoor Living Skills program places an emphasis on safety, stewardship and responsibility.
Adventure!
Through novel experiences, campers are challenged to solve problems, communicate effectively and succeed as a group. The Adventure program creates opportunities for peer leadership and interaction which lead to increased self efficacy, improved interpersonal skills and fun. Campers will get to safely explore issues of trust, leadership, communication and teamwork through activities that are universally accessible and offer multiple levels of challenge.
Camp Crafts
Campers at Iona will have the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of artistic camp crafts. These crafts are designed to foster an attitude of creativity and good stewardship. By using materials mostly found in the surrounding forest, campers will be invited to see the beauty, possibility and versatility of God's creation. Camp Crafts offers fun, adaptable, nature friendly activities deliberately set-up to encourage sharing and positive peer interaction.
Music
While at Iona, campers will be encouraged to make their own music. With daily time set aside for singing, playing guitar and making unit chants and cheers, the campers will develop an appreciation for music that remains with them for their entire lives. Staff members will value music as worshipful and wonderful and model this attitude to their campers.
Stibe
Campers at Iona will have a daily Stibe (Bible Study). Through singing, prayer, crafts, sharing and learning, campers will gain a better understanding of Jesus' love. This experience is designed to encourage the campers along their personal faith journeys. By doing stibe with their peers, campers gain enthusiasm for worship, confidence in talking about the Bible and an introduction to the power of fellowship in the body of Christ.
