Sunshine Fund changes Manitoba kids’ lives every summer

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/12/2024 (365 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the sun rises over the vast landscapes of Manitoba, a new chapter begins for many children, families, and communities across the province.

The Manitoba Camping Association and Sunshine Fund have long been a beacon of hope, providing enriching experiences that foster connections, resilience and personal growth. This past year has seen significant strides in building new connections, overcoming challenges and forging vital partnerships with the provincial government.

The Sunshine Fund continues transforming the lives of children in need. In 2024, 603 young Manitobans went to summer camp with the support of our donors. Thank you to the Free Press and all of our donors for your continued support over the years!

In a year marked by challenges for our accredited camps, the MCA has focused on expanding its reach and building connections within diverse communities. Collaborating with local organizations, schools, Indigenous groups and newcomers, the association has ensured that camping opportunities are accessible to all children, regardless of their background.

Through community outreach with a new staff position, we have engaged families who might not have previously considered or knew about camping as an opportunity. Inspiring stories shared in the Free Press highlighted the positive impact of the Sunshine Fund, thanks to our donors.

The pandemic created challenges for camps, including staffing shortages and funding cuts by the Manitoba government. The MCA successfully advocated for funding, securing $150,000 for many camps to maintain skilled staff and continued learning for children.

With the ongoing growth of the Sunshine Fund, the MCA remains committed to brightening the lives of children and youth in Manitoba. Together with community support, we’re building a brighter future for the next generation with many inspiring stories ahead.

We are thrilled that we are once again collaborating with Concord Projects Foundation. Through this partnership, the foundation has generously committed to matching donations, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000. Your contribution will have double the impact, as it will enable us to provide more children with the opportunity to attend summer camp. The overall year-end campaign goal is to raise $45,000.

We firmly believe that every child should have the chance to experience the joys of camp, and your generous gift will play a vital role in making it available for all.

To learn more about the Manitoba Camping Association & Sunshine Fund, you can find us online at manitobacamping.ca. You can also reach out to sunshinefund@manitobacamping.ca to get added to our email newsletters and stay connected.

Thank you to the Free Press and all of our donors for your continued support over the years! Happy holidays from us at Manitoba Camping Association.

— Kim Scherger is the executive director of the Manitoba Camping Association