Do you remember your first time at camp? The butterflies on your first day, and the confidence you felt when you faced your fears, learned new skills, and overcame challenges?
Thousands of children across the city are about to embark on their first day, that first challenge... those memorable, lifechanging experiences that one only makes at camp.
At YMCA Calgary, we’ve had the privilege of hosting thousands of campers and counsellors at summer camp each year. And every story inspires us with the tremendous transformation both campers and counsellors experience.
In anticipation of the first day of camp, we interviewed some of our Counsellors about what camp means to them:
First up, meet Christina! Day Camp Coordinator at Shawnessy YMCA.
Christina started attending camps with YMCA Calgary at just three years old, when she went to Camp Chief Hector YMCA for a family weekend program. Two decades later, Christina is still attending camp, now as the Day Camp Coordinator.
“Looking back, I can really see how attending camp helped me become the person I am today. I was quite a shy kid, but the counsellors always encouraged me to participate even when I was nervous, and soon I learned that once I was comfortable, I could be quite outgoing.”
Camp gives children a place where they belong, without the pressures of good grades or homework. Through multiple activities and challenges, it helps them develop new skills and reach their full potential.
“I love the community the counsellors would build for us kids. That is what led me to become a camp counsellor, and to get my degree in teaching. It was always such a fun and safe environment for me to grow. I never thought I could be a leader, and now it will be my career!”
“To me, Camp It Forward is the opportunity to provide every child with the chance to attend day camp and grow into the best version of themselves.”
YMCA Calgary believes that all children should have the opportunity to attend summer camp. However, one in ten local children require financial assistance in order to attend. To ensure no child is turned away, YMCA Calgary is launching our Camp It Forward fundraiser to send 500 children to summer camp.
You can Camp It Forward today at www.ymcacalgary.org/camp-it-forward.