Muskoka Landing staff and residents look forward to their summer olympics every year and this year’s event held  Aug. 10 was no exception.

This was the fourth year for the games where an ever-growing number of participants enjoy friendly competition and the opportunity to show off their unique abilities.  

“Talk of the program continues long after the program ends,” said Pamm Griffin, Muskoka Landing’s occupational co-ordinator.

Individual and group competitions are both featured at the games. “We incorporate physical, mental, social and emotional elements throughout the day’s events through active games, sensory stimulation and cognitive trivia. It truly is a well-rounded program,” Griffin said.

The competition stations can be adapted for most levels of cognition and physical ability.  Those who are unable to actively participate in the physical or mental component of the event come to be cheerleaders to help motivate the participants.   

 The residents’ common room is decorated with the Olympic torches and the five colours of the Olympic rings. Pictures of national sport heroes are posted everywhere and staff dress in sports apparel, trying hard to look like Olympians.  

“The participants get a good laugh because the staff look more like Richard Simmons,” said Griffin.

The team adapts events from previous years or they create and implement new stations making the olympics different every year, said Griffin.

“In the past four years we have had various individual competitions. Some of these competitions have been the olympic toss, fishing game, world-class kicking, name that sport, cookie stacking and more.”

The group competitions are the main attraction. They are held in the afternoon after  lunch and begin with the national anthem.  

“Before starting the competitions the groups choose a creative name for their team.  One year it was Canada against Switzerland because one of our staff members had lived there in the past.  Last year it was The Oldie Goldies against the Senior Warriors.”  

Successful competitions from the past have been the chair relay, balloon volleyball and the basketball challenge.  

“The chair relay is very similar to hot potato. The participants sit side by side with their opponents facing them about three metres away. Each team has the same objects, but some are big, some are slippery and some are tiny. Both teams are required to pass the objects to their team member sitting next to them and the participant on the end of the line has to ensure the object gets into the basket before the next object can be passed.”

 At the end of the competitions the winners are honoured for their efforts.

“ The use of ribbons and certificates promotes a sense of pride and accomplishment.  Many residents display their ribbons or certificates in their room throughout the year,” Griffin said.