Ruskoka Camp
Hold onto it – the summer is slipping away…….and it’s gone. The season rushes by every year, leaving us yearning for more time to chase our sunny dreams. My wishlist of summer adventures remains largely unchecked and while some plans might wait for next year, others will fade away. I do want to share one gem from this summer – not just in my memory, but one that's etched into the hearts of 64 kids who experienced adventure at Ruskoka Camp in Bracebridge.
Let's just rewind for a moment ... Alex Sakuta, a friend that I had made through our work in the nuclear industry, radiates infectious energy (pun intended). His excitement for everything he touches draws you in. At a nuclear conference back in February, Alex told me about his 23-year-old brainchild: Ruskoka Camp. Nestled in Muskoka's wilderness, this camp becomes a second home for 10- to 16-year-old campers and reunites former attendees as passionate volunteer counsellors and camp staff.
My curiosity was piqued. Being an outdoors enthusiast and having grown up in Bracebridge, where the camp resides, I pressed to hear more. Alex's description painted a vivid picture of the camp's beauty, its vibrant activities, and the community that keeps it alive. As a storyteller by trade, I couldn't help but propose an idea: capturing the camp's essence in a video as a testament to its magic and a pragmatic call for sustainable financial and volunteer support.
With cameras in hand, July saw our crew at the camp, stepping into the campers' shoes. There were obstacle courses, canoeing, archery, hikes, and bikes – we experienced it all. But what truly struck me was the bonds being cemented between these campers and their volunteer counsellors. And the maturity and natural leadership the young counsellors emanated in building a healthy ecosystem. There was a feeling of unity, regardless of age, as counsellors encouraged and campers thrived. This harmony was what made Ruskoka Camp special.
As an outsider looking in, I was moved by Alex's selflessness in devoting his time, tirelessly creating and nurturing this haven for kids to grow and learn, gaining leadership and outdoor skills and confidence in themselves to solve problems – it was inspiring.
As the day came to a close, I was asked to share my own journey with the campers – my trials in building a creative business, leading a team, and sustaining a passion-fuelled career. Humbled, I stood before these young faces, hoping to add some piece of wisdom to their reserve. And following my short talk, their questions! Deep, probing, and thoughtful, the genuine curiosity, engagement, and thirst for knowledge took me by surprise.
My takeaways after being recharged through the spirit and passion of the volunteers, the sheer joy and excitement and inclusivity of the campers, and just being in the woods, I remembered what it looked like with the whole world in front of you: Opportunities abound with growing independence to take the reigns of your destiny, to hold on and approach it with an open mind, a zeal for adventure, and fearlessness to take on the challenges that will be faced on the journey. It was a great reminder and motivator of the qualities that we continue to drive in the story that we write here at Big Red Oak.
So while this summer might not have seen all my checkboxes ticked, I'm grateful that I was able to re-live and reimagine on that day at camp.
— Lee de Lang
