By Alex Miers
If you’re wondering what CampUs is, here’s a quick snapshot of something central to how we support our seasonal staff all year at Muskoka Woods.
Once known as Project 52, CampUs is Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation initiative that helps our seasonal staff stay rooted in faith communities after the summer or their time at Muskoka Woods ends. We’ve always been passionate about creating a space where staff can grow, explore faith, and build meaningful relationships in the community. CampUs carries that same vision beyond the summer, connecting with university communities where many of our staff now live.
Groups meet weekly or biweekly in Guelph, London, Kingston, Ottawa, and Belfast (Northern Ireland), and in smaller ways in Toronto, Hamilton, and St. Catharines. Many staff leave camp wondering how to carry that same rhythm and sense of belonging into the school year. My favourite part of CampUs is watching them do just that, continuing their friendships, faith, and growth beyond Muskoka Woods. It offers space to go deeper, stay connected, and often reignites their excitement to return.
Reaching far and wide
The impact of CampUs is lasting. Through regular Bible studies and larger gatherings like our Fall Corn Maze event, it keeps fostering a culture of faith, friendship, and fun. Each group uses practical, relevant material that sparks real conversation and helps staff see spiritual growth as something that continues long after summer. In these spaces, staff walk alongside one another, carpool to church, and share encouragement in faith.
This movement now reaches beyond Canada. In Belfast, one CampUs group recently hosted a praise and prayer night, living out the same spirit of community that began at camp.
CampUs offers connections for young adults at every stage. For first-year university students, it’s a ready-made community. For group leaders and hosts, it’s a space to grow leadership skills and explore gifts. And for graduates of the CEO Leadership Program, CampUs bridges the move into the wider staff community through monthly catch ups, a March Break serve trip, and other points of connection.
Even in my short time in this role, I’ve seen how CampUs helps staff grow and stay connected all year long.
Connecting with CampUs
We’d love your prayers that students would keep joining groups, that staff would invite friends, and that all would experience the power of community through Muskoka Woods.
If you live near one of our CampUs areas and want to host a meal, open your home, or mentor a group leader, please reach out. You can also follow along and help others connect through Instagram at @campus.mw.
We also aim to cover costs for group events, conferences like Outpour, and small touches like snacks for study nights. If you’d like to support CampUs financially, your partnership means a lot.
I’m excited to see CampUs grow into a lasting part of Muskoka Woods’ culture, helping generations of staff grow in faith, find community, and return summer after summer.
—
Alex Miers is the Summer Spiritual Development Manager at Muskoka Woods. She oversees both guest and staff ministry year-round, including CampUs and its leaders, events, and gatherings. Alex also leads guest and staff ministry content creation and other initiatives that help the Muskoka Woods community thrive.
Visit the Muskoka Woods Youth Foundation site to give a child the gift of growth, confidence, and unforgettable summer memories.
