Sunshine Fund guarantees a little magic in the summer

To this day, I still remember the morning polar plunges into Moose Lake — a cold shock to the system meant to wake campers up before the sun hit its peak.

Throughout my youth, my siblings and I attended Camps with Meaning, an organization that at the time offered three Mennonite bible camps at Camp Moose Lake, Camp Koinonia, and Camp Assiniboina. I spent many summers at Camp Moose Lake as well as an annual weekend trip with my high school, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate.

I have fond memories of swimming in the lake, picking up a bow and arrow for archery practice, sitting in the cafeteria with all of my friends waiting to devour home-cooked meals, as well as camp-wide games of Manhunt where bouts of giggling echoed around the property.

My parents were able to send all three of us to camp, including my brothers Jonah and Samuel, due to the camp being subsidized by the Mennonite Church. Without the financial assistance, it would have been a strain on my family to support three children going to summer camp on a yearly basis.

And the one summer Jonah wanted to widen his horizons to attend Camp Stephens at Lake of the Woods, it cost my parents an arm and a leg for just the one week (a price that is currently listed at approximately $1,000 per child).

These past few months, the Free Press has been able to talk to mothers that come from different backgrounds. Some are single mothers, some are new immigrants to Canada, some have left an abusive household, and some are welcoming new members to their family with having to allocate funds for diapers and formula.

But the one thing they all had in common was wanting to give their child a camp experience.

Across the summer months, the Sunshine Fund has allowed parents to fulfill that dream, covering a majority of the camp costs.

Fifteen-year-old Danica Taylor was given the opportunity to grow her confidence alongside new friends, Annaleia Monette received her heart’s desire by having a whole week of water activities, and Nile Fehr was able to fill his stomach with as much pizza as he could fit — absolutely raving about Winkler Bible Camp’s pepperoni pizza.

Through the work of many generous donors, children and young adults are able to build friendships, learn new skills, strengthen their faith, and have a week-long sleepover that they can’t wait to get back to next summer.

For some kids, they’re given opportunities not easily accessible. Leelan and Foster Palendat were able to spend a whole week riding horses at Circle Square Ranch, Charley and Averi Morris got to test their agility and speed with rope courses and BMX biking at Roseau River Bible Camp, and Ocean and Lake Gearo experienced new heights, zip-lining over Camp Arnes.

As summer camps become increasingly more expensive, it can be difficult for parents to afford what is usually a five-day adventure.

Luckily, due to the easy application process, communicative staff, and empathetic camp leaders, children of all ages are able to experience a little magic in the summer — maybe making a lifelong friend or two along the way.

gracepenner@winnipegfreepress.com