On July 27th, 2022, Equal Housing Initiative held our first annual day camp at Variety’s Club Camp Brereton. Many of our participants do not get an opportunity to get out of the city on a regular basis while some haven’t been out of the city for many years.
This was an opportunity for our campers to get out of their comfort zone and enjoy the beautiful Canadian Shield along with the nature it has to offer.
The feedback in which we received from our folks was outstanding, with many of them raving about the food, the wide variety of activities, the amenities of the camp, and the overall experience. We also received some very helpful feedback for the planning of next year’s camp!
To see our community come together and make the best of the day was truly remarkable. Set in the pristine wilderness of Whiteshell Provincial Park, Variety’s Camp Brereton strives to be the premier accessible wilderness camp for children of all abilities.
The organisation was kind enough to extend their mandate and accept adults from the McLaren hotel, The Red Road Lodge and Morberg house.
The camp infrastructure is comprehensive and optimal: a generous commercial kitchen, a welcoming dining room, brand new cabins, various outdoor activities gear and a grandiose main lobby.
All of it was at the disposition of the camp participants. The camp has been a place where food, culture, and... laughter were shared without limitation.
The food was central to this idea of sharing. That's why the organising team made sure that it was abundant and shared together in the same space.
Sharing time was also the unifying banner to the numerous activities: fire circle, drum making, smudging, sports and...fishing! The camp was just meant to be comforting, mindful and fun.
Our participants had a wide variety of activities they were able to engage in including but not limited to canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, drumming, crafts, smudging, and even basketball.
This event could not be put together without the help and commitment of our volunteers.
Huge shout out to:
St-Boniface Street Links - Morberg House folks for the participants' supervision, Kaylee for your work as our lifeguard, the EMS paramedics team and Louise Alarie for being there for restoring our health, Edward for taking on the coordination piece, Helen and Erin- for preparing the delicious (and abundant) food, Susan Campbell- for drum-making and smudging activities, Ben for wearing so many volunteer roles, Sonia without whom EHI would not be so organised, Silvio, like Ben, who helped the team in any areas in need.
EHI would like to greatly thank our partners for their financial contribution:
and for their in-kind donation:
- Red River College - Paterson Global Foods Institute.
- Hildegard's Bakery.
- Community Helpers Unite.
- St-Boniface Street Links - Morberg House.
- Shared Health Emergency Response Services - Whitemouth section.
- Costco,
- Earls Meat Market out of Steinbach.
- BJ Packers out of Beausejour.
Our Generous Sponsors & Financial Partners
