Manitoba Camping Association

2 Manitoba CaMping assoCiation May 2, 2015 www.cgitmanitoba.ca July 5-9,2015 Brereton Lake Whiteshell,MB forgirlsages12-17 forgirlsages12- 2- 2 17 17 Ca Camp mpBre rereto reton o CGIT CGIT Adifferentcampexperience—oneforthe entirefamily.Sixnights,fourmealsaday, countlessactivities.Awonderfulweek'svaca- tionforparentsandkidsofallages. Relaxing.Peaceful.Fun.Unique -SundaytoSaturdayweeks starting July 12. -Accredited, experienced, trained staff. -Spring andfallgrouprentals available. -2.5 hoursNWofWinnipeg onClear Lake Allinfoat www.campwasaga.ca. Mornings,experiencedstaffleadkidsinimaginativepro- gramsthatemphasizeoutdoorlearningandfun. ey'llac- tivelyexploretheplants,animalsandwaterwaysoftheBoreal ForestandplayinandonthecrystalwatersofClearLake. Parents,whileyourkidsareinprogram,youcanpartici- pateingroupactivities(hikeswiththecampnaturalist,biking, canoeing,kayaking)orrelaxovercoffeeatalocallandmark, whereyoumightfindthatbookyou'vebeenlookingfor. erestofthedayisforfamiliesandgroupactivitiesthat bringallagestogether.Contests,races,volleyball,swimming, atalentshow,bisonwatching,sunsetpaddles,games.Or,if you'drather,youcanslipawayasafamily. Privatecabins,activitiesandfood—threehearty,delicious mealsaday&abedtimesnack—areincluded. edaysaresun-filled,thenightskyisfullofstars. "MyonlyregretaboutCampWasagaisthatwedidn'tstart comingherealongtimeago." PatS.,Week5campersince2011 Watch"WhyLetYourKidsHavealltheFun" atwww.campwasaga.ca CampWasagaFamilyCamp:"WhyletyourkidshavealltheFun?" M any children look forward to summer camp all year long. They can't wait to sing campfire songs with their friends, canoe across the lake, or ride horses along the trails. But the kids who benefit from the Manitoba Camping Association's Sunshine Fund are dreaming of something much simpler. "They know they're going to get meals on a regular basis," says Liz Kovach, Executive Director of the Manitoba Camping Association (MCA) and Sunshine Fund. "It's strange to hear children talk about healthy food with excitement, but their reality is very different from other children's." Forty per cent of Sunshine Fund children live in the inner city. Some are from single-parent households that are struggling to make ends meet. Others are immigrants who are trying to establish themselves in a completely new way of life. "Some of these children are struggling with difficult situations. It's important for them to spend time in an environment where there's a strong sense of community," Kovach says. "Camps do a good job of being inclusive. It's great for the kids' self-development and self- esteem. It helps them deal with stress and recharge." Families apply for the Sunshine Fund. If they qualify, children get to choose which of the 33 MCA-accredited camps they will attend for one or two weeks. "We've got so many different camps that there's something to appeal to all kids," says Kovach. "Every camp gives kids a chance to get outside the city and connect with nature, and the mentorship Camp brightens kids' lives by Holli Moncrieff for the Free Press For more info, visit mbcamping.ca Not only about summer fun, camp offers kids amazing learning experiences and can open many doors. Submitted photos

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