~ CONTINUING THE MAGIC ~

“Another 40 Years”

STATEMENT OF NEED

“I have tried other camps, but I keep returning to McGovern because I feel I fit in here; like I’m part of a family that accepts me for who I am!.”
Spoken by a camper at a final campfire reflection…

Kids need hopes and dreams and a chance to fit in so they know things will be okay! This is especially true with the children and youth we serve. They deserve “special” attention to let them know that they are not alone and that there are other boys and girls just like them. Our campers are little brothers, little sisters, foster children and children from families served by United Way agencies.

Many of our staff are former campers who graduated from our Leadership Training programs. They are University, College or Senior High School students with proven leadership skills, a love for the outdoors and a desire to make a difference in our camper’s lives. Their goal is to provide quality programming and create a sense of community where kids feel comfortable to step out and challenge themselves when given a chance to explore, laugh and to get out of the city environment to experience nature.

Beyond the programs, activities, songs and trips, it’s the friendships, mentoring and Leadership Training that make Camp McGovern so special. The opportunity to share experiences with others from similar backgrounds creates a sense of self-assurance and allows each camper to feel they have a place where they do fit in!

IN THE BEGINNING

In 1970, Thomas McGovern was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His dream was to find a charity that would operate a residential summer camp for “less fortunate children” on a property he owned on the Niagara Escarpment north of Orangeville.

He approached several organizations but they declined the responsibility. He subsequently approached Big Brothers of K-W and after some consideration the agency entered into an agreement to run a camp for 80 little brothers for two summers. At that time Big Brothers of K-W was only 7 years old and did not have 80 boys in the program, much less 80 who would want to go to summer camp. In order to fulfill the wishes in the trust, Big Brother agencies in Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton and others were invited to send little brothers to this new program. Now we found ourselves running a “provincial program”.

PROGRAM EXPANSION

The program became very popular and expanded first to 200 campers per summer and then 300 campers per summer. In 1999, the camp was moved to its current site on 120 acres alongside the Saugeen River between Durham and Hanover.

This relocation happened about the same time that Big Brother and Big Sister agencies began amalgamating at both the national and local levels. McGovern became co-ed when “little sisters” were included in the camp program.

CLIENT SHIFT

In 2006, a grant from the K-W & Area United Way allowed us to expand our service to children from local United Ways and Family & Children’s Services. These new groups found the program to be very beneficial for their children and their families and they continue to send children to McGovern to this day.

In fact, since 2007, children from other social service agencies have surpassed the numbers from Big Brother Big Sister agencies. Of particular note is Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region who have been our single largest client since 2007. In 2010 they sent 125 “foster children” to McGovern which represents over 25% of our campers!

A 40 YEAR HISTORY OF SERVING YOUTH

• Last year Camp McGovern reached a “milestone” of making a difference in the lives of less fortunate Children and youth and their families by serving 488 children and youth. The most in our history!
• We have a strong track record of fiscal responsibility, management and governance.
• Our quality programming and commitment to our mission has resulted in the growth of camper numbers that justify an injection of capital investment.

VISION

• Ensure the long-term viability of providing camper sponsorships to disadvantaged children and youth from the Region of Waterloo & Southwestern Ontario.
• Provide quality facilities, equipment and staffing to meet or exceed OCA (Ontario Camping Association) standards for accommodations, dining hall facilities, hygiene, safety, staff training and program delivery.
• Be recognized as a leader in serving children and youth from social service agencies.

MISSION STATEMENT

• Fosters self esteem, social skills and respect for others
• Uncovers potential for personal growth in campers and staff
• Nurtures teamwork, mentoring and leadership development

A MOST COMPELLING COMMUNITY PROGRAM

Children and youth who endure the uncertainty of an unstable home life find a unique summer program at McGovern. We are excited about the future possibilities and endless opportunities our capital investment will offer to children and youth and we invite you to join us to ensure another 40 years and beyond of “the experience that lasts a lifetime”.

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE

“Camp McGovern is an experience that no kid should have to be without. It teaches us how to become ourselves and with the accepting atmosphere at camp, everyone feels welcome. Personally, camp McGovern is my happy place. I’ve never felt so safe and happy as I do every time I go to camp. I have wanted to be a counselor since I was like six years old. As I said last summer, all the kids who come to camp find themselves and become the example for other kids to do the same thing.”

The words of Angie Johnson, a Foster Child, camper, LIT, CIT this summer…