Frequently Asked Questions

Muskoka Woods offers seasonal employment all year round! Join us for the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall or a combination of the seasons. Come and experience what Muskoka Woods has to offer each season as the snow falls, the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and the leaves fall.

Each season and department have different daily schedules and time off assigned, this will be reviewed for each position in the interview process. In general, Summer Staff work for 6 days each week, with 24 hours off. Winter, Spring and Fall positions work for 5 days each week, with 2 days off. For more information, please feel free to email iwanttowork@muskokawoods.com.

The staff community varies from season to season. Fall and Winter are our smallest, most intimate communities with a staff of 60. As we get into the spring, we hire approximately 80 people. Summer is an experience unto it’s own with a staff of over 350 young people. Generally, our seasonal staff age range is from 16 to 25 years-old.

Yes you can bring your car. Muskoka Woods provides a large parking lot where you can park your car.

In most cases, yes, you will be able to work at Muskoka Woods. We love having international staff on our team! Most staff come to Muskoka Woods on a Summer Camp Staff work permit. Our HR Coordinators will assist you with this process. This permit allows you ONLY to work at Muskoka Woods, and is only applicable for Spring & Summer contracts. If you plan on applying for other seasons at Muskoka Woods year-round or wish to work other places in Canada after your time at Muskoka Woods, you will need to apply for an International Experience Canada work permit. (information can be found online)

Summer staff are offered a laundry service at a subsidized price where it is picked up on a weekly basis and returned 24 hours later. Year-round staff have access to a laundry room at no cost. This is a shared community space that has high-efficiency washers and dryers to use during your time off. Staff are asked to bring their own detergent and dryer sheets.

Staff can store snacks, treats, cereal, etc. in their rooms or the common space of their accommodations. We highly recommend that any food in cabins is kept in a sealed bin. As a seasonal staff member, you will NOT have access to a kitchen to prepare your own meals. Our kitchen provides gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free alternatives. We are a “nut-aware” facility which means we do not allow nut products in staff or guest accommodation as well as in any common area or dining room. If you have other dietary concerns, please email iwanttowork@muskokawoods.com.

Seasonal Staff are expected to live on-site at Muskoka Woods. Staff are assigned a shared room with a bunk bed and shelves. Summer Counsellors stay in guest cabins. All of your meals are prepared for you by the team in the kitchen and served in the dining halls. Room and board is included for days off.

Yes! Staff can receive 25 volunteer hours per week worked, excluding our Staff Training Week, in addition to their pay. If you require proof of volunteer hours as a staff member, please reach out to staff@muskokawoods.com.

Yes! Muskoka Woods offers a stipend to all staff plus room and board is provided. Stipends range from $100/week up to $300/week. All Summer Staff who meet the requirements are also welcome to apply for the Jamie Groves Bursary.

Most jobs are a full summer commitment. However, we do offer a limited number of half contracts. If you are interested in a half summer contract, please be sure to indicate that in the time off portion of your application. This will be discussed further in your interview.

On your daily time off, there are plenty of things available for you to do. You will have access to many of the athletics activity areas, planned staff social events in order to get to know people, or just hanging out around property! We also encourage you to use this time off to find rest, however it is that you rest well. Additionally, on your day off each week you are welcome to leave property in order to go to the nearby towns, or to hang out with friends and other staff off property.

We have many opportunities for our staff to make friends and meet new people! All seasonal staff members live in community in cabins with other staff who are around their age. Additionally, our Staff Training Weeks and planned social events throughout the seasons give plenty of opportunities to make friends.

Each employee who commits their entire summer (with some exceptions for Classic and Staff Week for students) will qualify for this bonus. All counsellors, instructors, hospitality and support staff will receive a $300 bonus. All leadership staff will receive $400. And all Summer Directors will receive a $500 bonus. Staff requiring extra time off in the summer outside of their regular days off will be permitted to take no more than 3 additional days off as approved by the HR team. Any extra days beyond that will disqualify you from the bonus. The bonus will be paid out one week after the completion of the summer contract dates.

• Muskoka Woods is located in Northern Ontario (about 2.5 hours north of Toronto) and is situated on the beautiful Lake Rosseau. Here’s more information on Ontario, the province Muskoka Woods is located in: https://www.ontario.ca/page/about-ontario
• In summer, temperatures can rise above 30℃ (86℉), while in winter they can drop below -30℃ (-22℉)
• It is not uncommon to see raccoons, skunks, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, turtles and fish while walking around our property and shoreline
• If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a black bear or moose
• The water at Muskoka Woods is safe to drink

The following vaccinations are recommended for your protection and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Before you travel, the following vaccines should be reviewed and updated if necessary.

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Influenza

Yes, you can travel before or after the dates of your work permit – however, you cannot earn money outside of the dates indicated (for the Muskoka Woods specific work permit).

Pearson International Airport (Toronto)

Your specific start and end dates are discussed in your interview, and are also indicated in your contract. Some international staff choose to arrive earlier than their start date and spend time with friends, family or touring Toronto before their trip to Camp. This is definitely advisable if you are coming from a different time zone. Staff Development Week is quite full and requires you to be at your best. An opportunity to adjust to the time change beforehand is helpful.

We will assist you in getting to camp by picking you up at the airport or helping you make other arrangements by bus. As long as you are arriving or departing on the dates provided. Specific details will be given on an individual basis.

We will also help arrange to get you back to the City or the airport when your contract ends.

• Year Round Staff (winter, spring, fall) – you will receive individual details
• Summer Camp – At the end of the summer staff contract, a bus will leave Muskoka Woods at 5pm on the last day and will go directly to Pearson International Airport. You would be able to catch your late night flight after arriving at the airport at 8pm or take the UP express to any public transportation point. Some staff choose a departure flight a few days later and either stay with friends from Camp or stay at a hotel/hostel, then make their own way back to the airport. The airport has wifi and restaurants.

Unfortunately, yes! The amount is dependent upon your personal circumstances. You will be required to fill out a TD1 tax form in your onboarding. Please take a moment to read the Canadian Tax for Non-Residents form to ensure you fully understand the deductions.

See this document for more information

Weekly pay ranges are indicated in all job postings and are discussed in your interview. Your bi-weekly pay will be noted in your contract. Room and Board is provided at no extra cost.

Schools & Groups staff are paid bi-weekly and Summer staff are paid 2 times throughout the season. Canadian staff can provide their banking information so that their pay can be directly deposited. International staff are asked to open a WISE account which will also be directly deposited.

Counsellors stay in cabins with the guests, all other staff stay in shared accommodations, most with a separate washroom facility.

All staff stay in bunk beds. You may make a roommate request in the onboarding section of your application.

The storage space is limited, it’s important to keep that in mind when packing. Some staff choose to purchase small, plastic drawer sets to help keep their belongings organized. You will need to supply your own bedding and towels. (in most cases, we offer an opportunity to stop at Walmart on your way to Camp).

Out of province or out of country driver’s licenses are only valid for 90 days after entering Ontario. After 90 days, your license is considered expired. Anyone with an expired license will not be allowed to drive a Muskoka Woods vehicle, purchase a vehicle while in Ontario, or legally be permitted to drive a friend’s car.

If you are planning to stay in Ontario longer than 90 days and want to drive, we recommend that you obtain an International Driving Permit that allows you to drive up to 1 year while in Ontario. It’s important to note, you cannot obtain the IDP in Ontario, you must get it in the country/province that your license was issued in.

For more detailed information, continue to this link – Ontario Drivers License.

Mail:
Muskoka Woods Attn: YOUR NAME
P.O. Box 130
4585 Highway 141
Rosseau, Ontario
P0C 1J0

Phone:
The Resort phone number is (705) 732-4373. Messages will be taken for staff.

Internet:
Complimentary WIFI is available around Camp. It can be intermittent due to the rural proximity of our Camp. You may bring your own laptop. Muskoka Woods is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged equipment.

There are many things to do! Our facility provides many options for physical activity, hanging out with friends, and quiet down time. Muskoka Woods hires staff to coordinate community events in order to enrich your time spent with us living and working within a community. Muskoka Woods is located approximately ½ hour from three towns to go shopping, out for dinner, see a movie, and explore: Bracebridge. Huntsville and Parry Sound

Year Round: All staff are welcome to leave property on their weekly and daily time off. Transportation is provided on a weekly basis. Other activities include:

• Weekly Town Runs – to either Bracebridge, Huntsville or Parry Sound
• Weekly Church run
• Weekly Social Events run by staff teams such as camp wide games, Karaoke nights, board games in the staff lounge, and gym nights.
• Seasonal activities such as swimming and kayaking, hikes and campfires, snowshoeing and winter tubing
• Participate in leadership studio programs
• End of season celebration parties

Summer Camp Activities: All staff are permitted to leave property ONLY on their assigned weekly 24 hours off. Other activities may include:

• Fusion (staff only fun at activities)
• Soulhouse (worship services)
• Breakfast on the beach
• Outdoor movie night
• Can Jams – live music at the coffee can
• Morning workouts
• Pizza Night
• Town Runs to Walmart

**Please note – activities are subject to change

If you have ANY other questions, please feel free to email staff@muskokawoods.com and our HR team would be very happy to answer any of your questions.