Camp Maple Leaf is a not-for-profit sleepover camp for children of Canadian military families and children who share similar life challenges.
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Camp Maple Leaf is a not-for-profit sleepover camp for children of Canadian military families and children who share similar life challenges.
As a leader you often need to make hard decisions. And with a Despite the cancellation of the
little luck, they turn out to be the right ones. That was certainly 2020 season on site, our team
the case at Camp Maple Leaf this year. With all the heartbreak has worked hard to develop and
that went along with the decision to cancel our program this implement exciting and innovative
past summer, there is still much happiness to report for 2020 programming initiatives that have
and, equally as important, for 2021 and beyond. helped campers stay connected to
us and each other. These unique
We recognized in early May that, in all likelihood, we wouldn’t programs have combined on-line and
be able to offer camp this year, so we began looking ahead and social media offerings with a fun-filled package of activities that
planning for 2021. That planning has guided us through the can be enjoyed at home. With kudos to our incredible Camp
summer - first off by determining a course of action to follow Director, April Young, and special thanks to the True Patriot Love
with the campers who were already registered for 2020. After Foundation, we were able to offer an exceptional Camp @ Home
contacting all parents regarding their preference for refunds and program that helped Camp Maple Leaf live up to its goal of
deposits for 2021, we were able to transfer approximately two- developing “friendships that follow you home.” See April’s report
thirds of those registrations into our program for next year. The on the facing page to learn more.
next step was to confirm with our user groups and partners that
they were ready, willing and able to recommit to our 2021 summer And there is more good news on the horizon for Camp Maple
season. Once we knew that we were on a good footing with Leaf in 2021. We are already in discussions with new user groups
campers and partners, we began contacting our major donors who will be joining us at camp in 2021; this includes the Down
to let them know our plans and ask for their continued support. I Syndrome Association of Ontario, which will be bringing 40 children
am happy to say most of our major donors have stepped up. As to Camp next summer. In addition, we have received funding from
a result, not only have we been able to continue to employ our the True Patriot Love Foundation to conduct a feasibility study to
year-round and key seasonal staff with the help of donors and help assess the possibility of establishing a second location for
government programs, but we are also able to look ahead to the Camp Maple Leaf in either Western or Eastern Canada. The study is
summer of 2021 with confidence. Camp Maple Leaf is in fine shape already underway with direction from Jane McCutcheon - a veteran
and will be ready to open its doors to campers once again in 2021. camp director and trusted advisor to the camping community
across Canada. We expect to have the results before the end of this
Our next step was turning our attention to site projects and site year, and the information provided will help guide our decision-
improvements that we could only complete because our facilities making as we consider the possibility of establishing additional
would be empty all summer. We have been able to take on a Camp Maple Leaf programs in other parts of Canada.
couple major improvement projects, the first being a much-
needed facelift for the interior of our Welcome Centre, installing This has indeed been an extraordinary year. If there’s one thing
new wood panelling to replace the old chipboard. We have also a Camp Maple Leaf experience teaches us it’s how to adapt
been working on the interior of three other buildings including when faced with unique life challenges. This year, our collective
the Longhouse, completing long overdue renovations. And the organization and extended camper families have, out of necessity,
big news for this season has come about as a result of a generous had to adapt to the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19
donation from Canada Company which is allowing us to expand pandemic quickly and effectively. I would personally like to thank
and make significant improvements to our Arts and Crafts Centre. the entire Camp Maple Leaf team for their patience, ongoing
With Canada Company support we will install new windows passion and commitment to our campers. We can’t wait to
and an accessible door. We can replace the roof and expand welcome everyone back in 2021.
the interior floor plan. With Camp Maple Leaf staff contributing Kim Smith
the labour, that project has been a real blessing for the site. (Camp name – Barbosa)
Meanwhile, ongoing maintenance has continued throughout the Executive Director
summer and the camp looks better than ever.
At Camp Maple Lea
f our mission is
to provide children
of
military families a Canadian
living with unique lif nd children
e
safe, fun-filled and challenges a
life
summer camp expe changing
rience.
Let’s start this Camp Report with an enormous expression of isn’t for financial reasons that they
gratitude. Thanks to the leadership at Camp Maple Leaf and come to Camp each summer. This
funding support provided by True Patriot Love, we were one of the job pays in other ways. Until the day
few camps able to continue some level of programming for our we were told camp was not going
campers this summer. I’m already feeling totally energized about all to happen
this year, the loyalty
of our great plans for next year and being together again at Camp. and passion that our staff showed
That said, we did manage to connect with campers this year was amazing. Many indicated they
despite the distancing measures that kept us from gathering on would be prepared to come to stay
the island. Our newly developed “Camp @ Home” program came at Camp without leaving for the
about as part of our 2020 “Plan B,” which we activated as soon entire summer to ensure everyone’s safety. Personally, I’ve had to
as it was confirmed that our regular camp programs had to be adjust my way of thinking. A good part of what I do during the
cancelled. What we set out to do was have our Camp @ Home year is about promoting Camp and getting to know the families. I
programming reflect the philosophy, goals and culture of our hit a lot of pavement, because when our families and partners are
traditional Camp Maple Leaf experience. To do that, we came able to meet me in person it helps develop a sense of trust. Next
up with the idea of a six days - six nights “FUNvelope” program. year we will have to get more creative about how we’ll be able to
We prepared and stuffed 350 zany program packages that were develop those close connections.
mailed out to all registered campers who wanted to participate. It’s often said that camp is 10 for 2 - ten months of preparation for
The packages were painted wild colours and had feathers sticking two months
of Camp. There is already a great deal of anticipation,
out of them - each one hand-painted and covered with sparkles. energy and excitement building up for next summer; after all by
When they arrived and campers’ families opened the envelopes, the time we get back to Camp again it will have been 22 for 2.
they exploded with confetti and feathers. Inside campers found The countdown is already well under way!
all the materials needed to accomplish our traditional six CML
goals in six days at home including a “FUNstructions” chart April Young (Camp name – Calypso)
explaining what they needed to do each day, directions on how Camp Director
to participate in online activities and a pen pal program. One of
our primary goals was the same as at camp – “create friendships
that follow you home” – so campers still got to establish new
friendships by becoming pen pals. For us, as one of
the partners to
it’s important to the Camp,
The FUNvelope program was a creative way to stay connected be able to provid
opportunities fo e these
to Camp Maple Leaf although we knew it could never replace r children of mili
and the other po tary families
the real camp experience. We received lots of positive feedback pulation of cam
being served, ev pers
on the program – one family even called it a ray of sunshine. en with the chal
related to COVID lenges
And now - unquestionably - all eyes are on next summer. We’ve -19. During this
and challenging unique
been working on the island all summer to make sure next year’s year, Camp Map
exhibited remar le Leaf has
homecoming is really special. We’re using every waking moment to kable resiliency
even as overnigh and spirit,
make it that much more exciting for next year. I’ve been checking- t camps in Ontar
cancelled in resp io were
in with our program partners throughout the summer and every onse to the pand
Patriot Love rem emic. True Nick Booth, CEO
single one is excited to be coming back. They’re all committed to ains a dedicated True Patriot Love
as we recognize partner,
making next summer’s program just as amazing as ever! And we’re th e importance of
families with prog providing milita
looking forward to our new partnership with the Down Syndrome rams that suppor ry and Veteran
were thrilled to t health and wel
Association of Ontario. Their campers will be participating in su pport the virtua l-being. We
for children from l Camp @ Home
session nine along with campers from Tourette Canada. military and Vete program
“FUNvelope” pa ran families. Thro
ckages and virtua ugh the
This year has been challenging for everyone. I think other than en su re d that campers l ge t togethers, Cam
and their families p Maple Leaf
not being able to have our campers on the island, the hardest to the CML com had continued co
munity, which w nnection
part has been knowing how devastated our staff were when they the uncertainty as of critical impo
and isolation br rtance given
received the news. Almost all of them secured other jobs, but it look forward to ought on by the
continuing our health crisis. We
prepare to welco partnership with
me participants the Camp as they
in person once
again next year.
Through the generous support of our donors we are able to provide subsid
ies to
ensure children who share similar life challenges are able to experience the
friendships,
fun and support from our special camp regardless of their families’ financia
l situation.
Camp Maple Leaf is a registered charity (870125150RR0001)
www.campmapleleaf.ca
for a birds-eye look into our summer fun through photos and videos.
e-mail us at info@campmapleleaf.ca
132 Reynolds Street Oakville, Ontario L6J 3K5
Phone 905-338-5200
Fax 905-338-3039
378 Fothergill Road, Ennismore, Ontario K0L 1T0
Phone 705-657-2222
Fax 705-657-2222
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