Countdown is on for Camp Arnes

The anticipation of leaving for summer camp grows as Kyla Gearo walks her kids through a list of everything they’ll need in preparation for their five-day adventure.

As each day passes, her kids grow increasingly more excited as the reality of getting to go to Camp Arnes sets in — a reality Gearo didn’t think was possible before help from the Sunshine Fund.

With the help of Free Press readers, the Sunshine Fund has been able to send children to camps across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario for 46 summers and sent 681 kids to camp in 2025.

“I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without it, that’s for sure,” said Gearo.

She said the summer camp — located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg — costs $700 per child and the subsidy from Sunshine Fund meant she only had to pay $300.

Gearo said she found out about the Sunshine Fund from a neighbour who was also able to send her kids to Camp Arnes through the program.

Her kids have always wanted to go to camp and they have lots of family and friends who go every summer that are adding to their excitement.

“They’re getting my kids hyped up and talking about how much fun they’re going to have,” said Gearo.

She said her nieces and nephews have been telling them about all the activities at the summer camp and they’ve been talking about it with friends at school who have gone, adding to the buzz in the household.

The camp has activities like ziplining, archery, high ropes, canoeing, laser tag and an indoor pool.

Her 11-year-old son Ocean is obsessed with soccer and is looking forward to playing with other kids when he gets to camp in August.

And her eight-year-old daughter Lake is mostly excited to spend the week with friends who she was able to get a spot with.

Gearo said her kids often spend time inside playing video games and she’s excited for them to be outside with nature and form new friendships.

Gearo said she also attended Camp Arnes when she was little along with her sister.

“I remember doing a lot of the activities and it’s a great opportunity for any kid to get to go to camp,” she said.

Gearo’s mom was a single mother like herself and could only afford to send her for one summer. She said it means a lot for her to be able to do this for her kids and have the opportunity to send them in the future with the Sunshine Fund.

This will also be the longest she’s ever been away from her kids but knows that they’ll have the amazing experience she had when she went to the summer camp.

“I’m kind of nervous but I know they’re in good hands,” she said.

Gearo said she plans to continue to apply for the Sunshine Fund to keep sending her kids to camp and make lasting memories.

tiago.resko@freepress.mb.ca