St. Paul’s Church aims to send kids to camp

Of that total, $35,000 would go towards the costs of transportation, supplies and tuitions for the camps and $15,000 would be put towards a ‘Culture Camp’ at Christopher Lake in the fall.

The “Tri to Send Kids to Camp” campaign was first started in 2006 and in that year they raised $2,000 which allowed the about 16 kids to attend camp.

“[In 2012], particularly with the help and initiative of Malcolm Jenkins and Canadian Tire, they sponsored us, gave us $20,000 and matched dollar for dollar. This year Canadian Tire is matching our fundraising dollar for dollar up to $25,000,” Scott continued.

Scott said because of that support they’ve “been able to grow the program to sending 140 kids to camp and sponsoring the cultural camps.”

The ‘Culture Camp’ is open to all students at each of the three schools and Scott said it’s a great way to lift up First Nations and Métis cultures.

The ‘Culture Camps’ would engage students and youth in First Nations and Métis traditions such as storytelling, drumming, medicines from the forest, trapping, crafts, games and the Cree language.

“We think this is an important project to help develop understanding and young leaders in our community,” Scott said.

He said one reason why the campaign was started was because the city has a lot of vulnerable youth.

“Twenty-five per cent of the population of Prince Albert is under the age of 18. A lot of young people don’t have a lot of things to do in the summertime and we wanted to create an activity that would be an alternative to other activities that might not be so healthy,” Scott said.

“We’re committed to sending kids not just one summer but if you go to camp and say you’re nine or 10-years-old and if you want to keep going to camp through your teenage years then we’re going to do that and we’re going to help you then belong to the community, hopefully build young leaders and work towards greater understanding within our community as well.”

There are a few fundraisers already planned to help raise money for the campaign.

On May 4, there will be a ‘Tri to Send Kids to Camp Garage Sale’ which will be sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, Scotia Bank, the Ranch Ehrlo Society, St. Paul’s and the three schools.

The garage sale will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Parkland Hall (1510 15th Street and Ninth Avenue East) and prices will be by donation.

On May 5, they are holding a ‘Steak Night’ at Original Joes from 11 a.m. until midnight.

Tickets for the steak night are only $20, with half going to the campaign.

Tickets can be picked up at any of the schools or at St. Paul’s Church.

There will also be a Spring Fashion Show held on May 15 at Riverside Community Public School from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The fashion show will also feature coffee, tea, and dessert. The fashion show is being sponsored by Scotia Bank, St. Paul’s, and the three schools.

“We’re really grateful to be able to have these keen partnerships with the community schools as well as the support of Canadian Tire, it’s essential. We’re hoping that in the longer term this program will have a profound effect on the community by building understanding and helping nurture young leadership in our community,” Scott finished.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid

by Sarah Wallace

St. Paul’s Church aims to send kids to camp

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