I think most adults who attended camp as a kid can readily remember those experiences quite vividly: whether it’s a pancake breakfast, a first-ever canoe ride, or singing around a late night fire. At camp, there is so much to learn and so many new friendships to build and for decades, our Board has recognized the importance of this summer tradition.

I was once told that some of the oldest cabins at Camp Stephens still have plaques recognizing the financial contribution of the Foundation. In 1999, the Camp Stephens Campership Fund was created for this well-known camp. A few years later, the Camp Manitou Fund was established. Its purpose is to provide the camping experience to the children of Winnipeg and area who do not have the financial resources to attend a camp, with a special emphasis given to children who are at risk. And just recently, a new endowment called the Boys and Girls Clubs CSI Fund was established to support summer learning programs across our city.

In 1971, our 50th Anniversary Report gave emphasis to the Foundation’s work with camps. It pointed out with pride that Camp Alloway, the Scouts Canada facility in the Whiteshell, is named for our founder. It also noted that funds were contributed to start the Girl Guide Camp at Caddy Lake in 1949 and that a further grant helped rebuild its main building when a severe snow storm caused it to collapse in 1966. We still agree with the sentiments of that report that “summer camping is part of the process of growing up that every child, particularly those with few other advantages, should have.”

In the last two summers we have supported registrations for children who wouldn’t normally be able to access camp, as well as upgrades to camp facilities. We’ve provided grants that have helped newcomer youth attend Camp Massad, children living with cancer to attend Camp Quality, and inner-city youth to experience a variety of summer day- and overnight camps.

At The Winnipeg Foundation, we take it as a given that supporting camp experiences for children and youth is a good cause. Of course, we are careful to confirm that camps are properly certified and we review the leadership as well as a camp’s proposed programs and budgets. But we don’t have to spend a lot of time evaluating outcomes because it is self-evident that a good camp creates good learning and character-building experiences. So, this year we have created a special process of approving grant applications for camperships in order to provide more timely approvals and ensure that local kids be given every opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, fun and friendships that come with summer camp. We know that their experiences this summer will be remembered throughout their lifetimes.