Non-stop summer at Rossbrook House

West Alexander

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This article was published 17/07/2024 (442 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With temperatures rising above 30 C, it’s prime time for many to get outside and enjoy the best of the heat. However, although the weather offers opportunities for most of us, there are still a many young Winnipeggers who have a more difficult time gaining access to things often taken for granted.

Take the simple act of making an ice cream sundae on a sweltering day, said Patty Mainsville, executive director at Rossbrook House. It’s a small activity for some, but huge for others.

Rossbrook House, located at 658 Ross Ave., is a 24-hour drop-in centre for youth aged six to 24 which operates with the mission that no child should ever be alone — and it certainly doesn’t slow down in the summer.

Every year, right in the middle of summer — the weeks of July 22 and 29 — the not-for-profit is able to take two groups of kids, one for each week, down to Camp Maskwa, also known as Maskwa Project, a reclusive nature reserve near Fort Alexander, Man.

“It’s all about giving kids a normal, fun summer,” Mainsville said.

There, the kids are able to experience real camping, Mainsville said.

“It’s not a cabin, it’s actually rough camping. So they get to experience that, they learn how to build fires, they go fishing, they go swimming. It’s a beautiful area for them to just be kids.”

Rossbrook House has been using the site as a camp getaway for around a decade, Mainsville said. Although she doesn’t stay at the camp with participants, she’s able to gather enough of the experience through seeing the kids during drop-off and pickup.

“The exhaustion of the kids when you go pick them up, it’s so cute, because you get to see their messy hair, and how tired they are and how they fall asleep instantly when they get into the van. That’s amazing. But also, how they all come together to unload and they work as a team to get things done.”

Maskwa works differently than a typical summer camp. Activities are co-ordinated by Rossbrook House staff and the kids get plenty of choices on what they want to do while they’re out.

“They have a little bit more freedom to be able to just play outside the lines. They don’t have a set schedule, they have an idea of the various activities, (and) they have the ability to be flexible with their schedule … And also a choice of what their interests are, because they have great activities going on at any given time.”

Rossbrook House offers summer activities galore back in the city, as well, including its indoor activity room, community walks and art, as well as pool field trips, picnics and more.

A new overnight activity is in the works for the older kids, Mainville said, tentatively called ‘Like it’s 1999.’

The late-night fiesta will aim to create new, colourful memories for youth who use the drop-in as a safe resource when they’re unable to find a safe place to sleep.

“Sometimes it can be really heavy on the shoulders of a lot of our kids, so we try to bring light to the evenings or over-nights for them,” she said.

Rossbrook House is not-for-profit and funded by donations and fundraising events. The team is also, always in need of volunteers — especially during the summer. For more information, visit rossbrookhouse.ca