Winnipeg Y launches Camps for Kids Campaign to Enhance Camping Experiences for Manitoba Children

News Release


WINNIPEG – September 23, 2010 – The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg today announced its

Camps for Kids Capital Campaign to raise $3 million to fund two initiatives that will expand

and enhance the Y camping experience for Manitoba children, youth and families. Lead

gifts have already raised $1.96 million.

One initiative is the $1.74 million purchase and refurbishment of the former Salvation Army

camp near Woodlands, 45 minutes north of Winnipeg. The other initiative requires $1.26

million to replace 18 cabins to house 180 campers at the Y’s long-established Camp

Stephens on Lake of the Woods near Kenora.

“The Camps for Kids Campaign will significantly expand and enhance the camping

experience for Manitoba children,” Campaign Chair Bob Brennan said. “The new camp at Woodlands 

will not only add camper capacity to the Y’s programs, but its proximity to the

Winnipeg Y will also provide a more flexible camping experience than we’ve been able to

provide with our Camp Stephens facility in Ontario.

“Replacing the aging Camp Stephens cabins will help us retain the Y’s high camping

standards at the island camp. The existing cabins are over 50 years old and well used.”

Besides purchasing the new Woodlands facility called Camp Y, funds will be used for

renovations and changes to bring the facility up to Y standards including: improving

accessibility, upgrading and winterizing some buildings; modernizing the swimming pool and

adding two new 80-foot-long waterslides; upgrading climbing facilities; and upgrading and

certifying the drinking water system.

“Overall, the Woodlands facility is a very good fit for us because its close proximity to

Winnipeg will allow us to use the facility for day camps, short-stay overnight camping and

winter camping programs that are not possible at Camp Stephens because of the distance

from Winnipeg and its island location,” YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg CEO, Dave Young said.

Cabin replacement at Camp Stephens will involve constructing 18, 16-foot by 24-foot threeseason

buildings with eight-foot covered decks using solid-wood, log-style walls and steeppitch

roofs.

“The cabin design has been selected to fit the natural environment and integrate well with

existing facilities on the island, and the construction will be robust enough to endure

continuous use by energetic young campers,” Young says.

“Y members and others who have heard about this project are very enthusiastic. Many with

first-hand camping experience know the value it brought to their lives, and they want to

ensure the experience continues to be available to future generations,” Brennan said.

“We’re confident donors will be generous.”

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