Learn about maple syrup production and experience off grid life in the forest near Baysville, Canada
Last activity
: 14 Jun 2025
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
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Host ref number: 317544414744
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Feedback (6)
Left by Workawayer (Manon) for host
I spent 1 month helping Mike during the sugar season in March-April 2025. Mike is full of ideas for his property and lifestyle which was really exciting to witness but make sure to also make him focus on the present !
I was helping boiling the sap and bottleling the syrup, cleaning the evaporator when needed and preparing the bottles to be sold
… read more (cleaned and labelled)… I haven’t done the tapping of the trees at the beginning but other than that, I am glad to have been able to see the maple syrup making through the whole process !
I was staying in a canvas tent with another volunteer and it was quite lovely : we took turns to put wood in the stove at night, we were cooking on a camping stove and we had access to hot tubs to bath ! This year sugar season was quite a winter adventure : it seemed winter didn’t want to go away (a lot of snow, more snow every week and still snow at the end…)
I am glad I got these 2 experiences : maple syrup making and leaving off-grid in winter ! That is for sure for adventurous minds !
Left by Workawayer (Karen) for host
Staying and working with Mike and his lovely dog Taiga was a truly unique and unforgettable experience. I joined during maple syrup season, which came with some intense challenges due to the weather – lots of snow, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable conditions. We (me and another Workaway girl) were living off-grid in a canvas tent, heated
… read more by a wood stove, with no running water or electricity, which made it even more adventurous!
Despite the tough conditions, I really enjoyed my time there. It was incredible to be part of the maple syrup process and witness the effort and passion behind it. Mike always made sure we had fun, too – from relaxing in the hot tubs to visiting local breweries and trying different restaurants. A special highlight were the delicious with fresh Maple Syrup at the Sugar Shack!
If you’re up for a rustic, off-grid adventure in the Canadian winter and want to learn more about maple syrup production in a truly hands-on way, this is the right place for you.
Thanks again, Mike, for the experience and for all the great conversations and learnings!
Bernhard is on another level. Incredibly smart, hardworking, professional guy. Very skilled in carpentry. He was also a great teacher showing another workawayer how to build. Now that Magdalena is here with you, I hope you two have an awesome time travelling around Canada. You two are honestly awesome people. Hope to see you in Syrup season :)
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Left by Workawayer (Manon) for host
I spent 1 month helping Mike during the sugar season in March-April 2025. Mike is full of ideas for his property and lifestyle which was really exciting to witness but make sure to also make him focus on the present !
I was helping boiling the sap and bottleling the syrup, cleaning the evaporator when needed and preparing the bottles to be sold
… read more (cleaned and labelled)… I haven’t done the tapping of the trees at the beginning but other than that, I am glad to have been able to see the maple syrup making through the whole process !
I was staying in a canvas tent with another volunteer and it was quite lovely : we took turns to put wood in the stove at night, we were cooking on a camping stove and we had access to hot tubs to bath ! This year sugar season was quite a winter adventure : it seemed winter didn’t want to go away (a lot of snow, more snow every week and still snow at the end…)
I am glad I got these 2 experiences : maple syrup making and leaving off-grid in winter ! That is for sure for adventurous minds !
Left by Workawayer (Karen) for host
Staying and working with Mike and his lovely dog Taiga was a truly unique and unforgettable experience. I joined during maple syrup season, which came with some intense challenges due to the weather – lots of snow, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable conditions. We (me and another Workaway girl) were living off-grid in a canvas tent, heated
… read more by a wood stove, with no running water or electricity, which made it even more adventurous!
Despite the tough conditions, I really enjoyed my time there. It was incredible to be part of the maple syrup process and witness the effort and passion behind it. Mike always made sure we had fun, too – from relaxing in the hot tubs to visiting local breweries and trying different restaurants. A special highlight were the delicious with fresh Maple Syrup at the Sugar Shack!
If you’re up for a rustic, off-grid adventure in the Canadian winter and want to learn more about maple syrup production in a truly hands-on way, this is the right place for you.
Thanks again, Mike, for the experience and for all the great conversations and learnings!
Bernhard is on another level. Incredibly smart, hardworking, professional guy. Very skilled in carpentry. He was also a great teacher showing another workawayer how to build. Now that Magdalena is here with you, I hope you two have an awesome time travelling around Canada. You two are honestly awesome people. Hope to see you in Syrup season :)
Christoph is a hardworking, knowledgeable, fun guy. He is very professional, straightforward, and a man of his word. It was fun having you out, hope you enjoyed the Canadian Outback :)
I had a great time at Mike's adventure property. I spent only 1.5 weeks there but still had a great time and met very nice people there( and Taiga!). Mike has a big property near to Baysville and its absolutely amazing there. If you like to live off grid you will have a great time there. The other workawyers and I did various projects there. It
… read more was always fun and Mike is a nice and calm person. Even if something doesnt work out, he stays calm. His property is really magical and a true canadian experience. Thank you for the time, and espacially the hot tubs next to the river!
Left by host for Workawayer (Lea)
Lea was a great guest… very professional, kind and reliable. She ended up restoring a maple evaporator and it looks like brand new! Was a fun, happy experience having her out and she got along great with the other guests.
I spent two weeks at this wonderful place, experiencing the end of the maple syrup season. Mike is incredibly knowledgeable and a great communicator. I learned a lot about maple syrup production and even got hands-on experience. Most of the work involved collecting and producing maple syrup, with occasional firewood handling. The tasks were not
… read more too strenuous, and we spent most of the time chatting while working.
In our free time, I explored nearby trails and visited attractions Mike recommended, including trying Maple Cream Ale! The hot tub here is also a must-try and absolutely worth it. Evenings were spent around the campfire, chatting, drinking beer, and enjoying S'mores. I stayed in a cozy cabin with my own bed, sofa, and kitchen, which was perfect for me.
Overall, it was an amazing experience!
Yi-Ching is a very cool, fun, adventurous guest. She was so respectful, and always willing to help, and enjoyed learning about maple syrup and the rural Canadian lifestyle. She got along well with other guests. Although her English isn't perfect, the experience was very positive and heartfelt. I hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in Canada
… read more Yi-Ching :)
Left by Workawayer (Laura & Ruben) for host
Mike's adventure property is magic! He already put so much love and thought into it - you can feel it the moment you arrive. The property is only accessible by boat which makes it very private and special. We stayed in one of the cozy prospector tents with a little fireplace for colder nights and a comfy bed. Next to the prospector tent is a
… read more little kitchen house where we cooked most of our meals and that had everything we needed. On some rainy days he invited us to his apartment in town where we enjoyed a shower or the pizza machine in town. In our working hours we mainly helped making maple syrup, did firewood and some construction work. We spend our free time roaming around the property, reading or playing the guitar. Every couple days we left the property to get groceries, do things or just explore the area. Our highlight were definitely the hot tubs, the pub nights and the taste of hot maple syrup after hours of boiling. Communication with Mike was always easy and he was flexible with our hours. He and his adventurous dog Taiga came along great with our dog who had the time of her life on the property. Mike is a great host - very open-minded, helpful and interested. We stayed there for more than three weeks and enjoyed it a lot. We hope to come back for a round of Frisbee under the stadium lights!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Laura & Ruben)
I knew from the start Laura and Ruben would be a solid, fun, respectful & adventurous couple, and that's exactly how it turned out. From the start they were months ahead in planning and always reliable in every sense. They stayed out at my property during maple syrup season and were always willing to pitch in, and were genuinely interested in
… read more learning the whole process of making maple syrup & learning the rural Canadian lifestyle. They got along with other guests and especially went out of their way to make a fellow backpackers trip special, as that individuals English wasn't the best, which I really appreciated. Their dog Yuna is top notch, and got along well with my Aussie. Your visit will always be remembered, very special! I hope you have an awesome time overlanding around Canada on the rest of your trip!
Left by host for Workawayer (Stephen)
Stephen was a fun guest during maple syrup season, when I had around 5 backpackers out. Great personality, fun adventurous spirit, and a great banjo player around the fire lol. Offered to help out with different tasks relating to maple syrup, and always did small improvements around the property during his stay which I really appreciated. It was
… read more nice meeting you let me know if you're ever around again!
Left by Workawayer (Stephen) for host
I only spent two weeks with Mike (and Taiga 🐕) but those two weeks were filled with incredible and unique experiences. Mikes property is truly a peice of Canadian woodland heaven. From the south Muskoka river that runs through the length of the property to the trails and scenic views. Definitely an experience for those interested in nature. Living
… read more on the land does require some camp skills and an ability to be independent, however Mike is happy to teach. Be expected to plan and cook your own meals, however shared BBQs happen regularly. Outside of work there are plenty of outdoor activities to do, from hikes, to bonfires and in the summer months swimming in the river. The rustic outdoor hot tubs were one of my favourite features, nothing compares to laying in the hot tub with a cold beer and the smell of burning wood while looking at the beautiful nature around you. If you're looking for a truly Canadian experience, love nature and hanging out with a great and friendly host, Mike is the choice.
Left by host for Workawayer (Noushin)
Noushin was super kind and was a fun guest during maple syrup season. It was so nice meeting you!
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