Sunshine Fund begins annual summer camp drive

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2021 (1551 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You might say the provincial government kicked off the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund this year.

Last week, when Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, accompanied by chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, announced the reduction of some of the restrictions aimed at keeping people safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they also gave the green light to allow children to go to summer camp… at least in a limited way.

Under the heading “day camps,” the province moved the needle from “closed” to “open to a maximum of 20 participants in groups.”

And, with that, the 41st annual Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund — our campaign to help children of lower-economic means have a chance to go to summer camp — has sprung to life.

Kim Scherger, executive director of the Manitoba Camping Association, said it is accepting Sunshine Fund applications and several operators, who normally host overnight camps, have pivoted to hosting day camps.

“I do know that five (camps) announced their closure for this year earlier, so it would be safe to say at this time approximately 30 of our 35 accredited camps will be offering programming in some form, which includes day camps,” said Scherger.

The target for this year’s Sunshine Fund is to send more than 200 children to camp.

“This past year has not been easy for kids across our province,” said Free Press editor Paul Samyn.

“That’s why the Sunshine Fund is so important in what will be the second straight COVID summer. I’m sure Free Press readers will again respond by helping ensure as many kids as possible can enjoy a taste of summer camp.”

The fund began in the pages of our newspaper in 1979, with the promise it would help “children who would otherwise be turned away from a camping holiday for lack of funds or sponsors.”

Since then, generous Free Press readers who have supported the fund have helped thousands of children paddle a canoe or kayak for the first time, jump on a horse, go on a zipline, or learn a new craft.

With the second summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all had it tough, but children have had it particularly hard. Many have had periods where they were stuck at home doing classes instead of at school. After school hours, there hasn’t been much to do; swimming pools and outdoor hockey rinks have been closed or of limited use for periods of time.

Children couldn’t even go to a friend’s house for a visit during the second wave in the fall and winter, and the recent third wave, because of public health restrictions.

Do we now want to deny them now because their parents have to look at it as a choice between going to camp or buying food this week?

If you are able to, please give what you are able. Your help will bring these children a bit of normalcy during these historic times.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca