Kamp Kiwanis Letter - 2009

YWCA Kamp Kiwanis Summer Day Camp 2009

Introduction

The third annual YWCA Kamp Kiwanis Summer Day Camp took place the last two weeks of July 2009. The camp is offered to children, whose families are currently, or have recently been clients of the YWCA of Calgary and would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a summer camp. Kamp Kiwanis is a well-established outdoor recreational facility that allows youth with moderate to severe behavioural difficulties to attend. The camp director appreciates that this may possibly be their first or only camp experience.

Thirty spots were available for each of the two weeks, which were filled well in advance of the deadline. Ten counselors and the Camp Program Director accompanied the campers. In addition, last year’s camp counselors and Home & School Support workers chose two “junior leaders” to attend this year’s camp. The junior leaders provided leadership and support to the younger campers.

Activities

The youth have many opportunities to learn and develop social and problem solving skills with both their peers and adults while they are engaged in entertaining physical and artistic activities. It is possible that because the youth are so engaged in their day that the lessons they learn are much more poignant than those they might learn in a classroom/lecture setting.

Campers were able to take part in: archery, rock-wall climbing, a pond study, swimming, slip and slide, designing and launching bottle rockets, wilderness challenges including; shelter building, and ecosystem/food chain games, scavenger hunts, group art projects, hat-day fashion show, campfire cook-out, talent show for peers and counselors, tee shirt design, plus numerous crafts and group games.

Counselor’s Comments

“I was working with a little guy who had an anxiety disorder, as well as an attachment disorder. ..... I truly believe that the ability to attend Kamp Kiwanis gave him the confidence, strength and security he needed to go on and conquer many other great things in his life.” From a Youth Advocate.

“These kids talk about and revisit their time and experiences (at the camp) with people who also took part whenever they can. One counselor talked about how his clients’ eyes still “light-up” when they talk about and share their memories of camp.

Increased self-esteem, due to positive peer experiences was noted as the most positive outcome by everyone that I spoke to. Some shared that the usual social difficulties that their clients experience in the school environment did not present at camp.” Supervisor, Children’s Domestic Violence Programs.

“I was able to facilitate pond study. I saw children develop a sense of curiosity. The children also demonstrated a sense of belonging with each other as they would say things like "Come take a look at this" to their peers. A lot of these children would never even speak to each other, never mind be polite and enthusiastic with each other.

The pride I saw in all these clients’ faces was amazing. They were genuinely proud of what they had completed”. Family, school and Kamp counselor.

Parental Response

In general, parents responded that their children had a “fantastic time”. Parents appreciated the opportunity given to their children to have a fun outdoor recreational experience. Parents were pleasantly surprised by how well their children did at this camp, how this differed from some less favorable school-based experiences or other camps, and for some it was the first time their children had been successful at making friends.

Conclusion

Kamp Kiwanis is a great place for youth to grow, learn, share and build their self-esteem. The exceptional YWCA staff that volunteer to be counselors make Kamp Kiwanis both a safe and fun experience for everyone.

September 30, 2008

Kamp Kiwanis
Calgary, AB

RE: YWCA Recreational Summer Camp programs

Dear Mr. Nestor Kelba,

The YWCA of Calgary is privileged and grateful for the opportunity to access Kamp Kiwanis that allowed children, living in circumstances of poverty, an opportunity to attend summer camp.

The goal of our camp programs is to enable children to participate in the camp experience at no cost to their families and to help children grow to their full social and emotional potential.

YWCA Summer Camp programs are designed to serve families within the city of Calgary whose children are presenting social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. This past summer at Kamp Kiwanis, children were able to get away from the stressful circumstances in their environments and participate in recreational activities such as swimming, hiking and archery, play team games and do drumming circles around the campfire that helps them to develop socially.

Most importantly Kamp Kiwanis allowed them have fun and to just be kids!

"We made our own waterslide on the grass and I liked to swim in the pool"
"It was really really fun and we played lots of games"
"I like the drumming around the campfire best"
"We did skits with the counsellors and got to dress up, it was funny"

Many of our client families are of the working poor population or on fixed incomes. Their financial restrictions do not permit the parents to invest in extracurricular activities for their children. For many of our young clients, an opportunity to have a camp experience is nonexistent. Our Camp program is particularly targeted for children from economically disadvantaged families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend summer camp.

On behalf of the children who participated in YWCA recreational summer camp programs at Kamp Kiwanis we thank you this valuable opportunity and for providing children with fun-filled memories that only a summer camp experience can deliver.

Thanks for helping to change lives!

Arlene Adamson
Director, Fund Development and Communications
YWCA of Calgary