As the days grow longer and the warmth of the sun gets stronger, children start to yearn for the fun-filled days of summer break and parents start to seek out summer camp adventures. Unfortunately, for many children and youth involved with the Society, the possibility of attending summer camp is just a dream due to financial limitations.
Ministry funding ensures that children and youth in the Society’s care have the funding available to enable them to attend summer camp, but for those children and youth who are placed with kin caregivers (such as grandparents), summer camp funding is not available.
“I don’t have a favourite part [of summer camp] because I liked it all and there was just too much I learned about working with others and trying new things.”
~ 2018 Camper
As with most things, the cost of summer camp continues to rise. During the 2018 summer season, the average cost of day camp was $250 a week and the average cost of a residential camp was $575 a week. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations, the agency provided 36 children living in kinship service homes with a summer camp experience last year and the agency is optimistic that even more children can be provided with the summer camp experience this year. Currently, there are 174 children in 119 kinship service homes, with over 50 percent of those children being over the age of six.
The benefits of children attending summer camp are plentiful. Studies have shown summer camp participation can improve social skills, develop confidence, ignite new interests, develop teamwork, enhance emotional learning and the list goes on.
With your support, we can help make the summer camp experience available to children and youth who will greatly benefit from and thoroughly appreciate the opportunity. Every dollar donated through this campaign is directed to the Summer Camp Fund and therefore even the smallest contribution can make a difference. You can make a donation online through Canada Helps, by cheque or by calling 905-522-1121, ext. 6414. For more information email tthorne@hamiltoncas.com.
What is Kin Care?
One of the ways that the Society works to ensure safety for a child while preserving their connections and minimizing disruption is through kin placements. Kin caregivers may be grandparents, extended family, close family friends or community connections who provide a temporary caregiver role to a child while a family works to address safety concerns.
Kinship care has been shown to create better outcomes for children and youth by keeping the child connected to their family, heritage, culture and traditions. Kinship placements help build a sense of belonging, safety and security for children. For this reason, kinship placements are the preferred placement for children in need of protection and the Society continues to see growing numbers of kin providers.
Despite the tremendous benefits for a child to be placed with a kin care provider, the downside is that supports for children and youth outside of foster placements are limited and financial assistance is not available. Your donations can truly help make a difference for these families.
