The Boys and Girls Club is wrapping up its first-ever summer camp program, which ran through the month of July as an affordable and fun option for kids.
“This is the first year that we've tried this because we wanted to give the opportunity to low income families or families that can't afford very expensive summer camp program,” said Patty Cowden at the Boys and Girls Club. “It can be over $100 per person per week (at other camps) but for us it's only $25 per week.”
Cowden said this has been possible through much fundraising, much of which was done with the Wetlander's Survivor fundraising event last week.
“They camp for five days so all these kids can camp for one month,” said Cowden.
Kiyana John, 12, participated in two weeks of Boys and Girls Club Camp and said she had a great time participating in an array of great activities, including the West Edmonton Mall water park, swimming at the beach and dinner at The Spaghetti Factory.
“It was really fun and my cousin got to come with us and brother and sisters,” she said.
Other great events that took place this summer included watching Spiderman in 3D, baking and other day trips, all of which were free of cost.
“That's what the Bonnyville Boys and Girls club is for: it's a place to have fun and enjoy their time with their friends,” said Cowden.
Cowden said the Boys and Girls Club will “definitely” have a summer camp program again, as it has been a great success this summer.
“I think we're going to do it again. We want to carry this program for at least the month of July for them to have something to do in the summer time. There is potential to be longer, for July and August.”
However, with Cowden leaving at the end of this month for Vancouver, she said she is unsure as to what exactly will happen with the program but said she knows it will be in good hands.
“We have 75-100 kids that are members of the Boys and Girls Club in only this community alone, only in Bonnyville. So that's a lot of kids that need this place so hopefully people in the community will still carry on and support this place,” she said.
Cowden said over $25,000 has been raised by the Wetlander during their Survivor fundraising event and money left over from funds raised for their summer camp program will be put toward daily programming, which Cowden said can cost up to $10,000 per month to run.
“We run from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday and we feed kids dinner every night….and also help them with their homework. Or they can just have fun with their friends,” said Cowden.
Andrew Reid, a board member, will be stepping in place of Cowden until a replacement can be found.
