Annual Trip to Bark Lake Leadership Center (I)

By Hayley Ho

Once again Bronze, Silver and Gold Visioneers’ 3 day excursion to Bark Lake Leadership Center in Haliburton, Ontario has proven itself to be one of the best highlights of this summer! From day to night, Visioneers were positively challenged and motivated to engage in physical and mental obstacles on both land and water, gaining many first experiences, learning teamwork and communication skills and stepping out of their comfort zones!

Just arrived at Bark Lake! Let's start with some icebreaking games!

Before the start of the many adventures Bark Lake had to offer, Visioneers settled into their cabins and were also asked to set and share personal goals to achieve in their time at Bark Lake as well as strategies to achieve them. Many shared about hoping to be a risk taker, to challenge themselves, maintain positive attitudes and of course to have fun! Everyone’s tummies and energy for the day were also taken care of by the delicious meals prepared at the center.

Meanwhile, Gold Visioneers are all ready and set for their 3 days practice canoe expedition!

Golds reviewing canoeing skills

Practicing portaging and testing the waters

Before the start of the many adventures Bark Lake had to offer, Bronze Visioneers settled into their cabins and were also asked to set and share personal goals to achieve in their time at Bark Lake as well as strategies to achieve them. Many shared about hoping to be a risk taker, to challenge themselves, maintain positive attitudes and of course to have fun! Everyone’s tummies and energy for the day were also taken care of by the delicious meals prepared at the center.

The day refreshingly started with Bronze Visioneers taking a cold dip into the lake for a swim test! Throughout, Bronzes had multiple opportunities to be exposed to and participate in a diverse range of activities that were both exciting and challenging, the major ones being kayaking, canoeing, low and high ropes and team building games. Each of these activities were designed to incorporate teamwork elements, like working in pairs or as a group, emphasized on personal growth and outdoor physical skills too.

Learning teamwork and playing games while kayaking!

Low rope activities highly emphasized on clear communication, teamwork and physical challenges. Bronze Visioneers were expected to practice these skills in activities like balancing everyone on a thin plank of wood, rearranging a set of pictures into its correct order while moving their teammates around and standing on a log and passing each other through ropes in different heights and spaces of a web without touching the ropes.

 Despite the pouring rain at night, the Bronzes got to participate in a team building challenge called “Building The Incredible Machine”. Different roles were to be played, like one being the project manager, engineer, walking messengers, a blindfolded player and one who could only answer questions in order to build the exact model of the machine. These restrictions pushed Visioneers to learn to communicate in all forms, both verbal and physically, to understand the importance of two-way communication and in working towards a common goal.  

Trying to communicate to the "engineer" of the team

Luckily as night fell, the rain has also stopped, leaving behind a clear starry sky of stars for the Bronze and Silver Visioneers to do a night hike to a beautiful beach for star gazing and story telling.

The following day consisted of more exciting land and water activities- High ropes and canoeing! It was great seeing the Visioneers bond closer within their team and individuals taking the initiative to try harder, take up a leader role, to voice out their suggestions and in persevering through tough challenges!   

Before walking high up in midair, all Bronzes were to set personal goals in overcoming their fear of heights, being a risk taker and bring a positive mindset in supporting their peers into the High Ropes site. With a lot of encouragements and courage from their peers and counselors, the Bronzes successfully figured out tricky rope courses and many took the leap of faith in jumping off obstacles!

Learning which paddle is right according to your height and the different strokes in canoeing!

Of course, campfire cannot be missed at night! As of Vision Youth’s annual tradition, Bronze and Silver Visioneers performed their team skits, had lots of laughs, sang along in campfire songs by Bark Lake staffs and ate perfectly roasted s’mores!

The last day of Bark Lake concluded with the Ultimate Canoe Race between different Bronze teams!! Visioneers could be seen paddling in sync with one another in their teams under the pouring rain among with the sound of loud cheers and rooting. All the teams were welcomed on shore with a long human bridge made by both counsellors and visioneers!

Awesome job Bronzes!! :)

Final debrief at Bark Lake asked the Bronzes to reflect on and tap the shoulders of those who you were grateful for, stepped out of their comfort zone, who you want to get to know more, who supported and cheered for you and who improved throughout the three days!  

Once again, endless fun and challenging memories were made these 3 days. Thank you Bark Lake for being the highlight of our summer!