Manitoba Camping Association

campsite, facilities, program, administration, and environmental standards. The manual is regularly revised and updated and it provides clarification in areas where regulations do not set out specific procedures for camps to follow. At present, the MCA represents 40 accredited camps and five member camps working towards accreditation. Accredited camps can use the MCA logo as a sign of endorsement. "We pull everything together and make sure our camps all follow standards," said Kovach. "Camps have to become 'members' of the association for one year while they work towards becoming accredited. Once we endorse a camp, we conduct a site visit every three years, or if there is a change in camp director to ensure compliance with standards. And the Sunshine Fund will only send kids to MCA-accredited camps. "We need to make sure that people are following certain standards, because we need to make sure those kids are safe," she added. Kovach said one of the MCA's current goals is working towards increasing public perception about the benefits of organized camp for children. "We're a community offering a great, non-sport-related activity for kids," said Kovach. "That's important — kids need to be active but not every kid wants to play sports. Camp can be a life- changing experience, and every child should have the chance to go." Camp is enriching for all children, however it can be particularly enriching for children whose families can't afford to provide healthy recreation activities due to low income, said Kovach. The MCA's Sunshine Fund provides subsidized funding for camp fees to families with low incomes. Every summer, the Sunshine Fund sends approximately 750 kids to summer camp, and the MCA's goal is to increase this to at least 1,000 kids every summer, and possibly send kids to camp during winter and spring school breaks. Kovach said the MCA can go even further. "We would like to be able to develop a scholarship program based on camp involvement," said Kovach. "Kids who previously attended summer camp with help from the Sunshine Fund could apply for a scholarship to attend university, college or a post-secondary program. We feel we can play a larger role in helping set kids up for future success." The MCA also wants to increase awareness of outdoor education as a whole. "I would really like to grow the outdoor education area," said Kovach, adding that a lot of camps rent out their facilities, especially in winter. These camps are unique and fun locales for business retreats, family reunions, or school trips, and they provide plenty of outdoor activities for guests such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, skating and more. The MCA's goals aren't limited to kids. Kovach pointed out that professional development is another priority for Manitoba camps. Ideally, the MCA would like to implement programs to help camp administrators in areas such as program development, facility upgrading, human resources and fundraising — most if not all Manitoba camps are not-for profit. "I would also like to give people the tools and resources to start thinking succession," Kovach said. "Camps often have projects planned to continuously improve their facilities and programs and we want to support them in their endeavours and help plan for the major staff changes in the future." Most of all, Kovach wants everyone to know how great camp is for kids. "It's a life-changing experience. I went as a kid, and you develop skills that stay with you for life," she said. For more information, visit mbcamping.ca. ■ ■ ■ Sixone-weekcampsforchildren Six one-week camps for children Six one-week camps for children ages 8 to 15 years. ages 8 to 15 years. ages 8 to 15 years. ■ ■ ■ Our mature counselling staff is Our mature counselling staff is Our mature counselling staff is hired from within Manitoba as well hired from within Manitoba as well hired from within Manitoba as well as from other regions of Canada. as from other regions of Canada. as from other regions of Canada. ■ ■ ■ Activities include Swimming, Activities include Swimming, Activities include Swimming, Hiking, Crafts, Canoeing, Archery, Hiking, Crafts, Canoeing, Archery, Hiking, Crafts, Canoeing, Archery, Campfires, Photography, Kayaking, Campfires, Photography, Kayaking, Campfires, Photography, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Volleyball and more. Snorkeling, Volleyball and more. Snorkeling, Volleyball and more. ■ ■ ■ Open "Year Round" with Open "Year Round" with Open "Year Round" with Conference Centre Facilities for Conference Centre Facilities for Conference Centre Facilities for winter retreats. winter retreats. winter retreats. ■ ■ ■ Situated beside Beautiful Riding Situated beside Beautiful Riding Situated beside Beautiful Riding Mountain National Park. Mountain National Park. Mountain National Park. ■ ■ ■ Camp Wannakumbac is a Not for Camp Wannakumbac is a Not for Camp Wannakumbac is a Not for profit Registered Charity with no profit Registered Charity with no profit Registered Charity with no Church affiliation Church affiliation Church affiliation 204-848-2380 wannakumbac.com hydro.mb.ca Hydro dams can cause dangerously turbulent waters with strong undercurrents and rapidly changing water levels. Obey warning signs. Be alert, don't get hurt. www.campswithmeaning.org CamperspacesavailableforkidscompletingGrades1-12 Daycampandovernightcampsavailable Meaning with Camps Camp Assiniboia › Headingley Camp Koinonia › Boissevain Camp Moose Lake › Sprague Formoreinfo,visit mbcamping.ca

• Cover