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Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Making new friends at Calvary Temple Youth Camp
For eight-year-old Quirin Nolan, a week at summer camp meant new experiences and lasting memories. For her mother, Tiffany, a dedicated student pursuing her degree in social work, the same week gave her the time and space to focus on her studies. Their story illustrates how a program designed to enrich children's lives can also be advantageous for parents, showing the wider impact of a summer getaway. 'I had classes at that time,' Tiffany said. 'So, while she was having fun, it gave me an opportunity to be able to focus more on getting assignments done. We also have my mother living with us.' SUPPLIED Eight-year-old Quirin Nolan is already looking forward to next year's summer camp. Many families face financial barriers when considering summer camp for their children. The Sunshine Fund, which is facilitated by the Manitoba Camping Association, aims to address this, having supported 603 young Manitobans in attending camp in 2024. This year, 465 children have signed up, with several more expected and 31 camps to choose from. 'I was kind of a nervous wreck all week — first time being away from me,' the mother admitted with a chuckle. 'I thought maybe when she came back she would have missed me or told me that she didn't want to come back. Instead, she made new friends, and it was a great experience.' Camp environments foster independence and build confidence, allowing children to develop new skills and create lasting friendships in a supportive setting. Tiffany said the support offered to her by Calvary Temple Youth Camp, including access to a phone for children who might turn homesick, helped put her nerves at ease. Meanwhile, the camp provided the perfect atmosphere for her daughter to be a kid. Tiffany said Quirin took part in all kinds of activities throughout the week, including various water sports, and there was even a station where the girls could get their nails done. It was through these stories that Tiffany recognized the significant value of such programs. She understood that for many families in Winnipeg, especially those balancing tight budgets and demanding schedules, access to valuable summer experiences remains a significant challenge. She now advocates for other families in similar situations. Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. 'I would 100 per cent recommend it,' she said. 'We're so thankful and grateful for Sunshine Fund to allow my daughter to go and experience this.' In today's economic climate, the cost of summer camp can be a significant hurdle. Tiffany pointed out how the Sunshine Fund helps bridge this gap, offering 'a great way for kids to have these great experiences without the financial stress.' The positive impact on Quirin has been evident, and both mother and daughter are already looking forward to next year. 'I would definitely look into doing it again next year,' Tiffany said. 'Quirin wants to go next year, too.' Jeff HamiltonMultimedia producer Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University's journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff. Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Action-packed camp experience awaits six-year-old
In a few weeks, Thania Bazan's son will have an experience she never did —heading off to summer camp for outdoor adventures and a chance to make new friends. Bazan, a single mother of three, Luciano, 22; Paula, 20; and six-year-old Sebastian, never had the opportunity for leisure activities outdoors as she grew up in Mexico. She says she's grateful Sebastian will have that chance when he arrives at Camp Assiniboia later this month. It's one of many summer programs organized by Camps with Meaning, the camping ministry of Mennonite Church Manitoba. SUPPLIED Thania Bazan is excited to be able to send her son Sebastian to Camp Assiniboia later this month. 'He really likes nature, so I'm sure he's going to enjoy it,' Bazan says. 'I'm happy and very thankful that he'll be able to join to have that experience, and I'm sure he's going to be willing to go every year after this.' The camp, located 17 kilometres west of Winnipeg, has plenty of activities for campers, such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, archery, zip-lining, wagon rides, rope courses, and scavenger hunts. She says Sebastian is most excited to be around the water. 'He absolutely loves the water, and he's an amazing swimmer as well,' she says. 'He never took swimming lessons, I've just taught him since he was a baby, which is why he loves it so much.' Bazan says this camp experience will mark the first time Sebastian will leave the city without her. She says he was nervous to be by himself because he's shy, so she arranged for one of his friends, Vlad, to attend camp with him. 'Once he heard his friend was coming too, he got even more excited.' Sebastian's opportunity to be a camper is made possible thanks to the support of the Sunshine Fund, which has helped low-income families send their children to camps in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario for 45 years. Already 465 children have signed up this year due to the fund, with more applications being processed to date. Bazan says she hadn't known about the fund. She scrolled through multiple summer camp options and saw that the price was out of her range until she read up on Camp Assiniboia and noticed a subsidy option provided by the Sunshine Fund. 'It's impossible to pay for everything as a single mom, so it was very nice to see that,' she says. Bazan believes one of the amazing aspects about Canada is that there are always activities in place for children regardless of the family's economic status. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'That's something that I really appreciate about Canada. People and organizations are always making sure that every child has the opportunity to attend.' Bazan, who has lived in Winnipeg for 20 years, is trying her best to make ends meet by working part time as an early childhood educator and collecting a disability benefit. While she recognizes supporting her family hasn't been easy, she's also grateful for everything she has. 'In other countries, being a single mom on disability, I wouldn't have any access to a camp or anything like this. I have never felt that, 'Oh my goodness, I'm so poor that I can't afford anything, here,'' she says. 'I'm just pleased my son gets to join activities that other children can join when both parents are working full time.'
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
At Circle Square Ranch, campers get back to nature
Anastasia and Walker Proden have been going to summer camp since they were seven and six years old. Now 13 and almost 12, the siblings still make the 30-minute drive from their home to Circle Square Ranch, south of Austin, a tradition that's become a summer highlight. Walker likes swimming in the pool while Anastasia enjoys trail activities. The two are scheduled to head to the sleepaway camp in southern Manitoba for five days in August. While step-dad Myles Evans attended camp in New Brunswick, Walker and Anastasia Proden, with mom Vanessa Proden, go to Circle Square Ranch camp, south of Austin, Man. Anastasia says she makes new friends every year and is excited to do so again this year. 'My favourite thing about camp is meeting people, learning new skills, being in nature and helping people,' she says. 'It's fun for a multitude of reasons, learning, making friends, and just the vibe is awesome.' Circle Square has a host of activities for campers, including archery, horseback riding, mountain biking, trampolining, basketball, arts and crafts, sand volleyball, wall climbing, zip-lining, wilderness cookouts and campfires. Stepdad Myles Evans says the value of the experience goes beyond the activities and benefits them in many ways. Evans also went to camp when he was a kid, attending Shiktehawk Bible Camp in New Brunswick. 'In this day and age, it's more needed than you would realize,' said Evans. 'Developing a moral compass and so on, it's not so much out there anymore. I really appreciate having the kids being around others who have it and learning from them.' Vanessa Proden, the children's mom, says they have continued to enjoy camp year after year, and that they've been able to keep going thanks to the Free Press Sunshine Fund. 'It actually allows us to let them go to camp,' said Proden. 'I wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. It's super expensive.' For 45 years, the Sunshine Fund has supported low-income families by helping send their children to camps throughout Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, including Circle Square Ranch, where Proden first heard about the program through camp staff. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. The Manitoba Camping Association sends approximately 600 children to various day and overnight programs at 31 camps each year. So far this year, 465 campers have signed up, with more applications being processed. Evans says the camp has helped both children grow during the week of fun. 'They get to explore new opportunities, hang out with other people they wouldn't normally get to in their everyday life,' said Evans. 'I know they went for quite a few years, and it's helped progress them in a lot of ways… Walker's still struggling with some issues of being shy… but having this in their life has definitely benefited them a lot,' he said.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Like mother, like daughter: Sunshine Fund camp experience runs in the family
Peyton Toth is weeks away from graduating from Grade 3 and heading to summer camp for the first time. And the bubbly outgoing eight-year-old will soon be on her way to Camp Arnes, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg north of Gimli, thanks to the Sunshine Fund. Peyton's mom, Lindsay, said she knows firsthand the type of experience her daughter will get. Three decades ago, when she was eight years old, she went to camp for the first time — at Camp Arnes. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Peyton Toth (left) is heading off to the same summer camp her mother Lindsay went to three decades ago. 'I wanted her to go to camp so I began looking at the camps out there,' she said. 'But I didn't realize (camping fees) would be that much. It costs $800 for the week. 'It really is the difference between eating and paying rent — you know, the little things in our lives.' Thanks to the Sunshine Fund, and the sliding scale based on family income, Lindsay's camp cost came down to a more manageable $200. Lindsay said she didn't even know about the Sunshine Fund until she saw the link on the Camp Arnes website. But there was something else Lindsay didn't know: it was only because of the Sunshine Fund that she was able to go to Camp Arnes. Linda Hayward, Lindsay's mom, said a few decades ago she was a single mom who had bills to pay on a low income. 'She was just bubbly when she came back from camp,' Hayward recalled. 'It was so good for her. But camp is expensive… to have been able to send my daughter for that experience was great. I couldn't have done it without the Sunshine Fund. 'It also gave me a nice break. When you're a single mom, that little bit of a break helps.' With your support, Peyton — just like hundreds of children in low-income situations which the Sunshine Fund aids — will be able to be away from home for a week meeting new friends. As part of the camp's Explorers program, she'll be able to participate in a high ropes course and even take a Corcl — a small round plastic boat — onto Lake Winnipeg. Pretty cool things to do when you're eight. As Peyton says: 'I'm excited to go to camp.' Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. When asked what she looks forward to doing most, she gives a single word answer: 'Everything!' Lindsay said she has no doubt Peyton will have a blast at camp. 'She makes friends everywhere she goes,' the mother said. Peyton will return with a lifetime of memories and now it's up to you to help the other children who are on the list waiting to see if they can get to camp this summer. Kevin RollasonReporter Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin. Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Your generosity can make a kid's summer
In a few short weeks, children will be able to trade school books and assignments for the possibility of jumping in a kayak, getting on a horse, or racing down a zip line. That means it's also time to help needy families give their kids a camping experience they will never forget. For the 45th summer, the annual Free Press Sunshine Fund is kicking off with the hope that thousands of generous readers will help children who deserve a break from their studies in an outing that normally would be out of reach financially for their families. SUPPLIED L to R: Audrey Hicks (manager, training & risk management True North Youth Fdn), Kim Scherger (executive director MCA), Kayla Yakielashek (community outreach coordinator, MCA), Nancy Paschke (Standards & Accreditation Coordinator, MCA), Lexi (RRBC staff) and Duane Goertzen (executive director RRBC) 'The Free Press is again counting on our readers to help make the Sunshine Fund a reality for as many children in our province as possible,' Free Press editor Paul Samyn said. 'We know how generous you have been in the past and we are hopeful that tradition of giving will again enable kids to experience summer camping memories they will always cherish.' Kim Scherger, executive director of the Manitoba Camping Association, said children have a choice of 31 accredited camps this year including a new one — Beaver Lake Camp near Dryden, Ont. 'That's the furthest to the east we go,' Scherger said. 'They mostly do family programs so we would assist the children, not the adults, to go to this camp. Most of our camps are focused just on children, but three of them are family ones.' The Sunshine Fund has already signed up 465 children for camp while another 50 applications are being processed. Scherger said the association expects to help about 600 children realize their summer dreams this year. Last year, 603 children were funded by the Sunshine Fund. 'I'm a big proponent of camps,' she said. 'Camps educate the whole child. It's different than at school. At camp they get new social skills and they make new friends. They learn ways to be with nature. 'Camp just builds a foundation and a structure for life.' Scherger noted that the smoke from wildfires in the province has affected some of the camps. She said the fires forced staff at eight camps in Whiteshell Provincial Park, along with other residents and cottagers, to evacuate. Staff at five of the camps have since been allowed to return. SUPPLIED At Turtle Mountain Bible Camp, from left: Daniel Zylstra (co-executive director, TMBC), Dan Ingram (executive director Circle Square Ranch), Kayla Yakielashek (community outreach coordinator, MCA), Kim Scherger (executive director, MCA), Steve Klassen (assistant executive director), Chelsie Zylstra (co-executive director, TMBC) A camp near Flin Flon was also evacuated. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. 'There is still time, before summer comes, so the hope is everybody will be back at camp soon and doing preparations for the summer,' Scherger said. 'I've found in the past, being on evacuation standby, that these are the years where the staff are stronger because they have had to go through this together. So, that's what I feel will happen this year. We will see more leaders.' But, to make the dreams of all these children come true, they will need help and, in this case, it is through the generosity of readers. With your help, we can give children memories that will last a lifetime. Kevin RollasonReporter Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin. Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
