From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills of the east coast, Canada’s natural landscapes have become iconic symbols of its identity. In fact, 39% of Canadians say that nature is the country’s best feature, making outdoor recreation a key component of the great Canadian experience. We also identify our nation as one rich with diversity—with 44% of Canadians saying multicultural diversity is very important to them.1 But for a country equally known for its breathtaking environment and melting pot of diversity, there are large populations of individuals who lack access to such experiences.
According to a study by Ipsos, next to hiking, the second most common way that Canadians experience nature is by camping. The third most common, comprising 28% of respondents, is spending time at a cottage.
Those living in poverty face barriers that exclude them from this vital aspect of Canadian culture. It is a sad reality that while many Canadian children know the joy of jumping into the lake, spending a long weekend at a cottage or attending summer camps in the wilderness, many children who call Canada home have never been given the opportunity to experience the same magic. (https://casadelninobilingual.com/)
The Value of Camp
Summer camps offer children an opportunity to try many new experiences, make lifelong friendships, gain valuable mentorship and learn important life skills. For many Canadian families, summer camp is an essential part of their children’s growth and development. The Child Mind Institute reports that spending time outdoors builds confidence, promotes creativity and improves mental health in children by reducing stress and fatigue.
Additionally, the Canadian Summer Camp Research Project out of The University of Waterloo collected data from 1,405 parents who witnessed significant changes to the attitudes and behaviours of their children upon their return from a Canadian summer camp. The nation-wide study proved positive development in every targeted growth area including social integration and citizenship; physical activity; self-confidence and personal development; environmental awareness; and emotional intelligence. However, many newcomers to Canada or families who have no previous experience at summer camp have less appreciation and understanding of its value.
All children in Canada, regardless of their household income, deserve to experience the joy of summer camp and the great Canadian experience that many of their peers know so well.
Access to Camp
Unfortunately, for some low-income families, access to summer camps, national parks and recreation areas is entirely out of reach. Program fees, clothing and appropriate gear, spending money and transportation all add up. In an economy marked by steadily rising inflation, these costs continue to rise, making camp less accessible for many Canadian families. These limited opportunities for development, leadership and growth only perpetuate inequality.
It is no secret that summer camps are expensive—the average cost to send a child to camp in Ontario is between $300 and $1000 per week. And on top of registration fees, supplying kids with the appropriate clothing and gear for camp, such as sleeping bags and life jackets, can be an additional expense to families. At Moorelands Camp, all spots are subsidized according to the family’s income, with fees as low as $35 for an entire week. We do not ask campers to purchase any additional gear in order to attend Moorelands Camp. We provide campers with the items they need for activities at camp and assist families with sourcing additional clothing or personal care items if needed.
Transportation to and from camp can also create barriers for low-income families who rely on public transportation within the city, or who cannot afford the mileage or time required to travel up north. That is why Moorelands Kids provides the transportation—it also gives our campers the opportunity to experience the fun of a bus (and boat) ride up to camp!
In addition to financial barriers, many of the families we serve face additional language and cultural barriers that make the process of registration difficult and confusing. According to Statistics Canada, refugees and recent immigrants to Canada are more vulnerable to poverty than Canadian-born families. In order to provide opportunities to these populations, we often work with social agencies that these families already trust, and our staff makes an effort to assist them with any language or technology barriers in the registration process. We also intentionally plan our programs to keep in mind that this is new to many, and we want it to be a positive, welcoming and exciting experience for everyone.
A Priceless Experience
All children in Canada, regardless of their household income, deserve to experience the joy of summer camp and the great Canadian experience that many of their peers know so well.
Moorelands Kids exists to provide these opportunities to children and youth who would not have them otherwise. The cost of sending one kid to Moorelands Camp for a week is $1650. It is a priceless experience that the families we serve cannot afford. Each year, our Send a Kid to Camp campaign (SAK) raises funds to do just that—send kids to camp. And in doing so, we give them the Canadian summer experience that they deserve.
