Providing opportunities for children and youth to learn, play, and socialize
The Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Kids to Camp Fund is an annual grant stream that provides funding to camps for children and youth who reside in Waterloo Region and need financial assistance to attend camp.
In 2024, over $150,000 was provided to 28 organizations to support kids in having a camp experience. Since the fund’s inception, more than $1.7 million has been distributed from the fund*.
We’ve highlighted five examples of programs supported by The Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Kids to Camp Fund in the last year, which included financial assistance provided through the Registry Theatre, to share a bit of the impact this grant stream makes annually for children and youth in our community:
Adventure4Change
Adventure4Change facilitates community programming year-round for those who are newcomers, immigrants, refugees, racialized, and living in low-income housing. Each summer, they run weekly themed summer camp programming in Waterloo for over 200 children and youth. Participants in their summer programming have the opportunity to be active and engage in educational activities which take place directly in the community. These programs are largely led by community members, making the program accessible and affordable.
"Through various conversations that Adventure4Change staff have had with children, parents, volunteers, and leaders over the course of the summer, we were able to clearly see how big of an impact participation in affordable summer camps has been on community families. This is especially so as some families exclaimed, this has been our children’s best summer yet!” -- Elysia Bednarek, Program Director, Adventure4Change
To learn more about Adventure4Change, including their summer camp programming, visit adventure4change.org.
Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre
Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre is dedicated to providing a safe space and innovative play experiences for the children, youth, and families in our community. Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre's Summer Playground Program is a day camp, offered at their site in Cambridge, where children and youth participate in a variety of games, activities, off-site trips, and guest artist workshops. These workshops allow kids to explore their physical, social, emotional, and mental development.
"My family recently just moved to Canada, and I was in desperate need of a safe place for my children to be for the summer. I knew of Alison Neighbourhood through their Women in Community program and reached out to see if there were any summer camps available, along with any funding. I was able to get my younger son into camp and my older son was able to join as a volunteer. They were both so excited to go to camp each day. They got to experience a lot of things for the first time, having just moved to Canada (such as the zoo and mini golf). It was so comforting to know that my children were in a safe and loving environment." -- Parent of Summer Playground Program Participants
For more information about the programs offered through Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre, including their Summer Playground Program, visit alisonneighbourhood.org.
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre is an organization committed to providing support and resources to all individuals affected by cancer. Their day camp, HOPEkids, is for children and youth impacted by cancer. This program offers activities linked to arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities, wellness, and music – all while helping participants improve emotional regulation and the ability to process and cope with the effects of a cancer diagnosis in their family.
“For many of these families, the grant made it possible for their children to participate in outings they wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. These adventures brought joy and created lasting memories, a testament to the program's positive impact on the campers." -- Justin Kirkham, Grant and Funding Development Lead, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
“We just want to extend our gratitude for the opportunities these programs offered. My kids got to do so much more this summer, and they had a blast! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” -- Parent of HOPEkids Participants
To learn more about HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre and their HOPEkids program, visit hopespring.ca.
Wilmot Family Resource Centre
Wilmot Family Resource Centre is the leading provider of social support services to low-income and food-insecure families and individuals in Wilmot and Wellesley Townships. Their day camp provides a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for children and youth. Their programming helps campers improve on their mental health and wellness and encourages growth in empathy, resilience, and compassion.
"One camper who had never been to a camp or school (homeschooled) attended a week of camp. Upon arrival, she was timid and unsure as this was her first big group experience without a familiar adult (parent, caregiver). As the week progressed, it was exciting to see this child grow and make connections with the other campers, as well as the leaders. It brought comfort to the parents and assurance that it would be an easier transition for the child into the school system in September after having this camp experience." -- Trisha Robinson, Director of Programs, Wilmot Family Resource Centre
For more information about Wilmot Family Resource Centre and the programs and services they offer, visit wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.wordpress.com.
YWCA Cambridge / The W
YWCA Cambridge is an organization dedicated to advancing gender equity through programming, services, and advocacy. They have many summer camp programs, including their free, community-based Camp with the Art and Camp with the Love, both of which engage cis and trans girls and gender-diverse and two-spirit youth. Activities at these summer camps focus on reducing isolation and building new skills through hands-on, arts-based activities that engage youth in sharing, building on and developing new skills. Participants learn about healthy relationships, emotional literacy, ways to practice consent in their daily lives, positive coping skills, and self-care practices that feel best for them.
"I loved the things we did and the people who ran it. I love how I can be me here." -- Camp Participant
"Across camps I was able to observe a variety of campers socialize with peers similar in age and develop new friendships. Throughout the duration of camp, participants were very enthusiastic and willing to try new activities. They practiced collaboration and socialization skills through different icebreaker games and sharing materials. Campers were introduced to important topics like self-love, self-care, boundaries, and consent. They were able to practice setting boundaries with one another in a safe and welcoming environment.” -- Camp Leader
To learn more about YWCA Cambridge and the camps they offer, including Camp with the Art and Camp with the Love, visit ywcacambridge.ca.
If you would like to learn more about The Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Kids to Camp Fund, which will be accepting applications between January 13, 2025, and February 10, 2025, visit wrcf.ca/kidstocamp.
*Note: Between 2000 and 2022, these funds were distributed through the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation and Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. With the unification of those organizations as Waterloo Region Community Foundation, funds in 2023 and beyond were distributed through WRCF.
