Monday, January 9, 2012

Camp Fire Stories: A counselor's point of view

Counselor: Heidi Peters

Camp History:
She has worked at Winkler Bible Camp for 7 summers, 3 springs, 1 year all year round, and went to Bible School there for another one year.

I've been a Jr. Counselor, Sr. Counselor, Lifeguard, Cross View Assistant Director, and Cross View Director. Cross View is one of our two sites at WBC.


What Heidi has to say about Camp:
 
"Camp, well to say it short and sweet, camp changed my life!

Camp is a place where children and staff are safe. They have the opportunities of a lifetime and I believe not enough children in our world get to experience camp. Camp is where children can learn to have fun, try new activities, make friends, and learn about God! I have worked at camp for seven summers and I would never trade any of those summers to work anywhere else. I love working at camp! Seeing the children's faces when they come back from an activity, or when they have learned something new about God, cannot be put into words. Camp changes children's lives forever! I know some of our staff at camp would not be where they are spiritually if it were not for camp. I would not be where I am today if it were not for camp.


I have learned so much at camp. I have learned how to teach others about God, I have made lifelong friends, and I have learned how to have a real conversation with God. I really cannot put into words what camp has done for me. It has been so much a part of my life. Although I have learned so many things at camp, camp has not always been easy for me. I have had to learn how to deal with misbehaving children, which has taught me patience and I have had to deal with situations that I never thought were possible. Camp was not always easy for me, but I would not trade it for anything! I have learned so many lifelong morals and skills through camp.

I love camp! I love the children, I love the staff, I love the activities, and most of all I love God! Seeing the children's faces running through the playing field, swimming in the lake, or just hanging out in their cabin makes me love my job. I also love seeing the campers grow up and become counselors and seeing their relationships with each other. I remember seeing a female camper at camp and wondering why she was at camp; it seemed she was there just for the boys. However, as the years went by she became a counselor and today I would say she is one our most mature female counselors we have.

My favourite part about camp is when I get to hear of campers that made their first time commitments to asking Jesus to become their personal Saviour. It makes me so excited just thinking of it. Just to think that because campers have the opportunity to go to camp, I will one day see them again and they can live eternally in Heaven with God.

Another huge highlight for me is seeing the campers connecting with their counselors. They look up to them so much. I know some of the campers go back to broken homes and I can only hope that those couple days at camp can show them that they are loved, even if they do not see that at home.

I am not sure what your background looks like, I am not sure what you have done, but I know camp can make a difference in a child’s life.

Thank you so much for everyone who has helped a child go to camp and if you have not had that opportunity, just talk to a child who has gone to camp and ask them about their experiences; ask them if they would like to go again."
 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

This year on the Sunshine Fund blog we want to share real camp stories with you. We want you to hear how camp has impacted the lives of the kids that have gone there, some are now grown up and have also worked at camp, some are kids looking forward to going again this summer and some are parents who are sending their own children to camp to have the experiences they've had. We will call these posts Camp Fire Stories, so keep an eye out for this new series on our blog.

If you want to contribute your own story on how camp has changed your life or your child's life, please email us at sunshinefund@mbcamping.ca. We would love to hear from you!

We are also gearing up for Summer 2012 here in the office. Our new applications will be available by the end of January. If you want to receive one please call our office at 204-784-1130 so we can mail one out to you. If you applied last year an application will automatically be sent to you when they are ready. We will also have a downloadable copy on our website mbcamping.ca 

Speaking of our website, we had it updated so go take a look mbcamping.ca . We are still updating it so please be patient as we get all our information up there.

Camp Arnes, year unknown.




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Camp Massad

About Camp Massad
Camp Massad,  one of only two Hebrew immersion camps in North America, offers a rich innovative blend of themed, creative, Judaic programming in a safe, nurturing environment. During the days campers enjoy sports, swimming, kayaking, scouting, singing, drama, dance, music and arts and crafts. During the evenings they are immersed in the sights and sounds of incomparable, innovative, interactive and unforgettable programs that reflect the unparalleled spirit, creativity and uniqueness of the camp.  All of Massad's programming is designed to bring out the best in every camper and reinforce the sense of community that is a trademark of the camp.



Statement of Goals
To provide a unique summer camping experience through the medium of the Hebrew language. Develops an awareness of Jewish identity, social skills, independence, cooperative group living, and increased knowledge of outdoor skills.

Camp Type: Residential
MCA Accredited: Yes
For children: grades 2-11
Gender: Co-ed
Session length: 5 days to 6 weeks
Average weekly fee: Contact the camp
Location: 1 1/5 miles North of Winnipeg Beach

Activities:
Sports
Swimming
Kayaking,
Scouting
Singing
Drama
Dance
Music
Arts and crafts

Contact information:
Winter and Main contact
C306 Doncaster Street
Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B2
(204) 477-7487

Summer contact
(204) 389-5300 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Camp Koinonia

About Camp Koinonia
Camp Koinonia is located on the shores of Max Lake in Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, 270KM South West of Winnipeg. Transportation is provided to this vibrant summer camp which offers sessions for children, youth and adults with disabilities.

Campers grow in body, mind and spirit through the activity program. Mountain biking, wall climbing, archery, canoeing, and swimming build strength and skill. Nature study encourages campers to appreciate and care for their environment. An age appropriate Bible exploration program provides moral teaching and spiritual growth opportunities. Music is an important part of camp life. Staff teach campers a repertoire of original Camps with Meaning songs as well as some camp classics. The low staff-to-camper ratio contributes to a feeling of close community. Campers bond in their cabin groups throughout the week, and get to know each other even better during the weekly camp-out in the forest.

At Camp, everyone is encourage to participate, regardless of ability or skill-level. Activities are taught in a way which maximizes cooperation and minimizes competition. Campers with special needs are integrated into the program. Campers in grades 1 to 3 are offered a half week experience as an intro to camp.Trained staff provide physical and emotional care for all campers. The food, prepared by a qualified Food Services Coordinator, is healthy and delicious.

The camp is owned and operated by Mennonite Church Manitoba, and is open to all campers.It is also available for year round rentals. Contact the camp for more information.


Statement of Goals
Motto: Lives are being transformed

Purpose: To provide a safe and exciting setting for campers to explore Christian faith, to build friendships and to experience God through nature.

View this video for a tour of the Camp Koinonia facilities.



Camp Type: Residential
Rental Availability: Yes
MCA Accredited: Yes
For children ages: 6-18 (and for adults with disabilities)
Gender: Co-ed
Session length: 5 nights
Average weekly fee:  $226
Location: 270KM South West of Winnipeg, 20 KM South West of Boissevain

Contact Information
Mennonite Church Manitoba
200-600 Shaftesbury BLVD
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2J1
(204)895-CAMP
camps@mennochruch.mb.ca
Facebook
 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Canadian Summer Camp Research Project

The Canadian Camping Association (CCA) has partnered with the University of Waterloo to create a research project that shows how camp affects children and what the benefits are (if there are any).


This research shows that in fact there is a positive outcome for children who have gone to an accredited summer camp in Canada.

Direct interviews with Canadian camp directors revealed five themes in the outcomes they witnessed in their campers:

1) Social integration and citizenship,
2) Environmental awareness,
3) Self-confidence and personal development,
4) Emotional intelligence, and
5) Attitudes towards physical activity.increase in their attitudes by the end of the session



The statistics reveal that at camp children experience a sense of belonging.  In this comfortable environment, new friendships are made and at times these friendships are with persons seen as different from themselves.  Results showed that campers resolved personal conflicts in a positive manner.  Over half the campers in the study showed improvement in learning how to protect the environment and developing environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviours. Almost two-thirds of the campers demonstrated improved attitudes towards physical activity by the end of their camp session.  Amid growing concerns regarding sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity, this result is significant.  Almost seventy percent of the campers showed positive growth in the area of emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize and deal with one’s own emotions and the emotions of those around you at an age-appropriate level.  Sixty-seven percent of all campers demonstrated growth in their independence and self-confidence.

Click HERE to read the rest of the study or visit the Canadian Camping Association's website.