For Sarah Gingras and her nine-year-old daughter Lily, summer camp seemed like an impossible dream. Gingras, who didn’t have the chance to attend camp as a child, always wanted her daughter to experience what she never could.
Thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund, Lily was able to attend InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Manitoba this June, an experience that left a lasting impression on both mother and daughter.
“I always wanted to go to camp, so when I had the opportunity to sign up my daughter, I didn’t hesitate,” Gingras says. “She really benefited from it, and seeing Lily’s growth and happiness made it all worthwhile.”
SUPPLIED Sarah Gingras was able to send her daughter Lily to camp through a Sunshine Fund subsidy.
Gingras first heard about the Sunshine Fund at the Manitoba Outdoor Show at Assiniboia Downs. “They were there handing out flyers,” she recalls. “I took one of the cards and, out of the blue this year, I looked at it and thought, ‘Oh, you know what? Let me call them up.’” That led to a phone call to the Sunshine Fund, which subsidized Lily’s camp fees.
Lily’s excitement was palpable as she prepared for her first camp experience. Though initially nervous about not knowing anyone, she quickly found her place, Gingras says. “She made a lot of friends out there, she really loved it,” says the single mother.
Lily’s time at Pioneer Camp was filled with outdoor adventures and new friendships.
“She loved spending time outdoors,” Gingras says, adding the experience not only provided fun but also taught Lily valuable life skills.
“It taught her relationship building, especially when you don’t know anybody, and putting yourself out there,” she says.
SUPPLIED Lily’s favourite part of camp was spending time outdoors.
One of the most heartwarming moments for Gingras was seeing the change in Lily’s attitude towards responsibility. While recounting her camp experience, Lily told her mother, “I feel so much more responsible now.”
“She came back from camp and started doing little things at home that she wouldn’t do before,” Gingras says. This newfound sense of independence and maturity is precisely what Gingras had hoped for when she signed Lily up for camp. “As a single mother, it’s always a challenge to figure out what I can afford, but I’m so grateful to the fund because this was worth every penny.”
Looking ahead, Gingras hopes to continue providing enriching experiences for Lily. “In the future, I want her to grow and be able to get along with all different types of people. Camp offered the opportunity to learn how to do that,” she says. Additionally, the time spent in nature helped Lily disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life. “Being out at camp, away from electronics and the distractions of the city, was nice for her.”
Lily, whose current interests include farming and soccer, found that camp complemented her passions perfectly.
“She loved being outdoors and playing sports,” Gingras says. The experience was so positive that Lily has already expressed her desire to return next year. “She mentioned she wants to go back, so we’ll see if that’s possible,” Gingras says with a hopeful smile.
SUPPLIED Lily, who was initially nervous about attending camp, forged many new friendships during the experience.
