Sep 14, 2018
Dundee Sports Camp was developed in 2017 by a co-operative group of volunteers and local church leaders from the small farming community of New Dundee, Ontario. Recognizing the need for a fun and affordable summer day camp experience for children in the area, the group partnered with Scripture Union, a Christian Ministry specializing in summer sports camps, to run a one-week summer camp for children aged six-12, regardless of their faith, ability or sex.
Each summer, the week-long sports camp is packed with skill development, drills, games, scrimmages and awards, as campers rotate through three sports: basketball, ball hockey and soccer. As a recreational level camp, the emphasis is on campers having fun while learning core skills, gaining confidence on the field or court, and making new friends.
This year’s camp was held from July 23-27 at the Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church in New Dundee. The Gay Lea Foundation contributed $1,500 to subsidize the fees charged to each camper, making it possible for all children from the community to be able to take part.
“This camp was developed as an outreach of the New Dundee area churches to work together to promote activity and good sportsmanship in the young people of our community,” says Camp Coordinator Kathy Hilborn. “It is extremely important to us that it be available for everyone to attend.”
Programming and support staff for the camp is provided by Scripture Union, while the camp itself is run by volunteers from the community. With the support of the Gay Lea Foundation, each camper paid only $75 for the week in 2018.
“This camp was developed by community members who recognized a need and saw a way to improve their community,” says Gay Lea Foundation Chair, Rachel Caldara. “The Gay Lea Foundation is proud to support projects like these that so clearly demonstrate the power of co-operation, compassion and respect for others.”
“We had a great week with 50 campers and about 18 community volunteers,” said Hilborn. “We celebrated the Gay Lea Foundation sponsorship with an ice cream party using Hewitt’s Dairy ice cream and a visit from the Bouncy Cow, Buttercup! This is a great community initiative and we were so proud to have it sponsored by the Gay Lea Foundation.”
About the Gay Lea Foundation
The Gay Lea Foundation is the official registered charity and collaborative forum for Gay Lea Foods and its members, directors and employees to support families and communities in need. Since receiving charitable status in 2014, the Foundation has provided more than $685,000 in funding support for education, poverty relief and community well-being projects in Canada and around the world. The primary source of funding for the Foundation is an annual $150,000 contribution from Gay Lea Foods, which is supplemented by personal contributions from across the Gay Lea Foods family. Funding applications are assessed twice a year by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which is comprised of Gay Lea Foods Directors, delegates, dairy producer members and employees.
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