Students find ways to enjoy their freedom during the summer

Natalie Bercovici

July 2012

Imagine being on a sandy beach, under the dazzling sun, your eyes glazing over an expanse of blue glistening refreshing water. A lei encircles your neck.

Okay, you can stop dreaming. You are not in Hawaii. This is about children having the time of their lives for two weeks on a sandy beach at Trail’s End Camp in Vendee, Quebec.

Campers are at the water’s edge and some are preparing for kayaking, boating, or fishing. Canada Day was at the top of the list of countries to celebrate on theme days. They will try their hand at rock climbing and obstacle courses, they will hike and go on overnight camping trips. Chilly nights are host to campfires roasting corn, toasting marshmallows and making s’mores with sing-a-longs and camaraderie.

In Grenville-sur-la-rouge, Amy Molson Camp is nestled on beautiful rolling hills with 72 hectares of woods. An inviting pool encourages children to learn to swim, dive or just splash around. A waterfront with docks and boats herald water activities and campers explore nature lore along the trails. Basketball, volleyball courts, sports field, recreation hall and special events such as International Day, round out the activities. The list is endless!

Children make lifelong friends at camp. Photos courtesy of Generations Foundation

Since the beginning of the millennium, Generations Foundation and generous individuals have offered disadvantaged parents the opportunity to send their children to sleep-away summer camp.

Congratulations to graduate students and schools, recipients of the Generations Foundation Citizenship and Community awards of a plaque and laptop computer: Vanessa Eustace of St. Gabriel Elementary, Nancy Thi Nguyen and Angus Stewart of Dalkeith Elementary and Veronica Odracci and Natalie Fazio of Nesbitt Elementary School. Other students in the Commission Scolaire and English Montreal school boards will receive similar awards.

The award encourages the students celebrate their diversity and become a positive influence.

Natalie Bercovici

July 2012

Many people think that Sun Youth is busiest during the holidays. They might be surprised to discover how active we are during the summer, with a host of activities and summer food to collect.

Sun Youth raises funds for its sports and recreation program, including summer and day camps. Because many children who take part in these activities are from underprivileged backgrounds, the organization offers a subsidy program to help families pay the fees. As well, demand is high for the emergency food bank, though donations are higher during the holiday season.

Thanks for federal and provincial grants, Sun Youth is able to hire students during the summer. Of the 34 members of the bike patrol, four are teens who work from 20 to 40 hours a week, alongside experienced patrollers. Students also work as day- and summer-camp counsellors.

Sun Youth is participating in the Valorisation Jeunesse Place à la relève, a program aimed at facilitating access to summer jobs and paid internships for youth, particularly those from visible minorities, living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Montreal. Five candidates are taking part in the program at Sun Youth this summer.