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OUTDOOR MINISTRY FOUNDATIONS
For Summer Camps
May 16-19th, 2025
Empowering Manitoba's frontline Summer Camp Ministry staff.
This exciting event has been created to strengthen outdoor ministry leadership through engaging workshops, time spent outdoors camping, and Christian fellowship.
To meet every budget, we have a variety of options to maximize your camp funding. This is our way of effectively investing into camps and your needs to raise up the next generation of leaders.
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Feel free to use the entire weekend to build up your team, we welcome groups to arrive as early as Friday and stay as late as Monday.
Friday May 16th - Come early and spend an evening relaxing.
Saturday + Sunday May 17+18th - Outdoor Leadership Training.
Monday May 19th - Optional extra day to camp with your group OR expand your skills with EITHER a Paddle Canada Canoeing Skills or OCC Field Leader certification add-on. Spots are limited.
REGISTRATION INFO
INDIVIDUAL
$125 | Person
For small groups & individuals.
Enjoy the full event including workshops, camping permits, group activities, and Paddle Canada Waterfront Skills certification.
GROUP
$1,000 | Group
Save with groups of 7+ staff.
Save big with a group fee for up to 20 staff. Enjoy full access to all the workshops and camping. More than 20 staff will be $50/person.
CERTIFICATION FEES
$25-$50 | Course
Best pricing in Manitoba.
Receive recognized certification. Also, expand your skillset with Paddle Canada or OCC training on Monday. Spots are limited.*
* $25 fee for Waterfront Skills Certification (facilitated during Workshop). $50 fee for Paddle Canada Lakewater Canoe Skills or OCC Field Leader certification (Monday add-on course).
Workshop #1
Outdoor Leadership Foundations
Back to basics...we'll explore how to create and plan for a high quality participant centered outdoor activity. We'll take a deeper look at expectations, standards, and best practices when leading others in the outdoor environment.
Facilitated by certified Outdoor Council of Canada instructors, this workshop will help staff understand the importance of leading safe, rewarding, and effective events as well as common mistakes and oversights.
The goal is for participants to be more confident in their role and aware of how to lead with excellence.
Workshop #2
Foundational Outdoor Skills
Outdoor leaders must be ready for any situation that occurs. This includes having a sound skillset of the most basic things they will encounter regularly at camp. From base camp to remote wilderness tripping, these following skills will be reviewed and practiced:
- Tarp / Shelter Set-up.
- Fire Building & Safety.
- Navigation.
- Water Purification.
- Nutrition and Food Planning.
- Basic Knots.
Workshop #3
Waterfront Canoe Skills
Canoeing is one of the most common activities at any summer camp. Understanding how to lead a canoe activity takes diligent planning, constant risk assessment, strong demonstration of skill, and effective facilitation.
Led by a certified Paddle Canada canoe instructor, this workshop will provide opportunity to learn and practice basic canoe skills, rescues and emergency planning, as well as give you resources for creating a fun and practical canoe lesson at your camp.
All successful participants (as assessed by the instructor) will be eligible for a Paddle Canada Waterfront Skills certification for a $25 certification fee.
Workshop #4
Camp Activity Leadership
Through a series of outdoor activities (like hiking or orienteering), we will practice how to effectively manage a group of campers safely through the process from preparing for the event till debriefing it.
Facilitated by Outdoor Council of Canada instructors, the skills taught and practiced in this workshop will be valuable for all leaders managing any activities at any camp.
Monday Course (Option)
Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Skills
Building upon the Waterfront Canoe Skills workshop, this course will expand your paddling skills and introduce you to further rescue techniques. This course will give you confidence and insight into leading basic canoe events and activities at camp.
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This is the minimum standard canoe certification for Manitoba camps to facilitate any school groups as per the MPASS standards.
Space is limited to first 10 participants. Must be age 16+ with successful completion of the Waterfront Canoe Skills Workshop. Course fee is $50.
Monday Course (Option)
OCC Field Leader
Building upon the Outdoor Leadership Skills workshops, this course will expand your risk management skills and introduce you to further understanding of the OCC's outdoor leadership framework.
This course will give you confidence and insight into leading basic outdoor events and activities at camp.​This is the recommended minimum standard outdoor leadership certification for Manitoba camps to facilitate any school groups as per the MPASS standards.
Space is limited to first 15 participants. Must be age 16+ with successful completion of the Outdoor Leadership Foundations and Camp Activity Leadership Workshops. Course fee is $50.
MEET OUR TEAM
Matt Peters
Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor
Paddle Canada Instructor
Matt's joy is the opportunity to inspire young outdoor leaders through engaging trips and courses in wild places. From 20+ years as a frontline camp leader, wilderness guide, and outdoor program manager, his faith and zeal for sharing the Gospel will inspire you.
Pauline Nadlersmith
Paddle Canada Instructor
Owner/Operator Riversong Wilderness
Anchored in her faith, Pauline can be found leading family and youth groups on life-changing canoe trips or spending her time teaching canoe courses. A mother of 5 and mentor to dozens, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to leading others and managing high quality outdoor adventures.
Kyle Kushnier
Paddle Canada Instructor
Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor
Kyle is an educator, guide, and very experienced summer camp leader. He has a special gift of teaching with warmth, patience, and humility that is rooted in faith and service. He'll empower you to lead others in the same way for the glory of God.
SCHEDULE
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Camping Permits
Camp with us at Wilderland's Base Camp located in St. Malo Provincial Park.
Interactive Workshops.
Learn and practice outdoor skills and leadership while being coached by experienced and certified instructors.
Christian Fellowship
With a relaxed schedule, you'll have time with your group as well as fellowship with other participants too. We'll host daily devotionals and a worship service Sunday morning.
Program Equipment
We provide all the canoes, paddling gear (paddles, pfd's), firewood, shelters, and safety equipment.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Personal Equipment
A packing list will be provided for all participants. This will include what clothes to bring, sleeping bag, rain gear, foot wear, and toiletries.
Food & Snacks
All participants will be responsible for your own food, snacks & drinks for the event. The is to help you save money from a food service cost. We will provide a suggested Group Menu to help you plan for a harmonized meal time with everyone.
Tents
Participants are responsible for your own tents. We do have a few large 6 person tents available for a small rental fee.
Group Management
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELVES AND YOUR TEAM AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING BEING ON TIME FOR EVENTS AND ADDRESSING ANY BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSICAL CONCERNS THAT SHOULD ARISE.
REGISTRATION INFO
INDIVIDUAL
$125 | Person
For small groups & individuals.
Enjoy the full event including workshops, camping permits, group activities, and Paddle Canada Waterfront Skills certification.
GROUP
$1,000 | Group
Save with groups of 7+ staff.
Save big with a group fee for up to 20 staff. Enjoy full access to all the workshops and camping. More than 20 staff will be $50/person.
CERTIFICATION FEES
$25-$50 | Course
Best pricing in Manitoba.
Receive recognized certification. Also, expand your skillset with Paddle Canada or OCC training on Monday. Spots are limited.*
* $25 fee for Waterfront Skills Certification (facilitated during Workshop). $50 fee for Paddle Canada Lakewater Canoe Skills or OCC Field Leader certification (Monday add-on course).
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