Manitoba Camping Association

ZIPLINE CLIMBINGWALL Why do we exist? WinklerBibleCampexiststoextendthe kingdomofGod,focusedonchildrenand youth. Building Relationships Sharing the Good News BECAUSE KIDS ARE WORTH IT A passion for the Gospel. A burden for Canada. ADVENTURE DAY CAMP www.adventuredaycampmb.org 189HendersonHwy.,Winnipeg,MBR2L1L7 DAUPHIN BIBLE CAMP www.dauphinbiblecamp.com Box 686, Dauphin, MB, R7N 3B3 204-638-5568 GIMLI BIBLE CAMP www.gimlibiblecamp.com Box 1579, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 204-642-5707 ROSEAU RIVER BIBLE CAMP www.roseauriver.ca Box110,RoseauRiver,MBR0A1P0 204-427-2445 TURTLE MOUNTAIN BIBLE CAMP www.tmbc.ca Box1198,Boissevain,MB,R0K0E0 204-747-2587 VALLEY VIEW BIBLE CAMP www.valleyviewbiblecamp.com Box430,MacGregor,MBR0H0R0 204-685-2999 they receive from the camp counsellors is invaluable." Sending children to camp also gives their parents a much-needed break. "People are better caregivers when they're able to take care of themselves, and the children learn independence by being away from home," Kovach says. "The parents are extremely grateful their kids have this opportunity. It helps children develop socially, physically, emotionally and morally." The Sunshine Fund has sent over 23,000 children to camp, but too many kids are turned away each year. "We run out of funding every single year. We're never able to fulfil all the applications, which is really heartbreaking for us," says Kovach. "We never want to tell a child they can't go to camp because there isn't enough funding." Her dream is to develop a university or college scholarship for the Sunshine Fund children. "Camp offers an amazing learning experience. It opens a lot of doors for kids," she says. "When you donate to the Sunshine Fund, you're adding value to the life of a child who will really benefit from it." The MCA was established in 1937 to ensure a high-quality standard for the province's summer camps. "Membership with our association is completely voluntary. We focus on summer camps, but all our camps offer other services," says Kovach. "We're an advocate for camps in Manitoba." This is more than a job for Kovach — it's a passion. Some of her fondest memories are her days in summer camp. "I still like to look at my old pictures. I was the kid who wouldn't wash my camp clothing for at least a week because I wanted to smell that campfire and remember what it was like," she says, adding that she is still friends with many of the people she met at camp. "Camp had a big part in shaping my life. It put me in a situation where I had to make new friends, learn new things, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable." These days, camp also provides a much- needed break from technology. "A lot of the comments I hear from parents are that they love that their kids have to unplug," Kovach says. "Camp is an opportunity to disconnect from a world where we always have to be connected. Children are constantly stimulated by technology, but the human side of connection is being lost." Any child can have a summer-camp experience. There are many camps in the province that cater to kids with special needs. "Several of our members offer family camps so parents can get an idea of what it's like," says Kovach. "Camp is a very important part of childhood," Kovach says. The MCA will hold its Great Manitoba Portage fundraiser on May 23. All proceeds will benefit the Sunshine Fund. Participants can register online at mbcamping.ca. ❚ When you donate to the sunshine Fund, you're adding value to the life of a child who will really benefit from it. Register Today! www.WinklerBibleCamp.com

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