Ben Morgan
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 04, 2008
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Camp Connections, a summer camp for foster children, is getting a generous and charitable donation - a collection of canoes and a transport trailer.
The donation came from an old friend.
Bosco Homes, a non-profit society, provides diagnostic and treatment services for youth experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Bosco offers youth therapeutic treatment in a stable, consistent environment. The society's NWT facilities are in Yellowknife and it also has operations in Alberta.
The canoes used to be located at a second facility in Forth Smith, now shutting down because the tenured contract has been awarded to a different company.
"We used to lend these canoes to Camp Connections in the past," said Al Bowerman, the Society's NWT director.
When he found out the Fort Smith center was closing it occurred to him the canoes - which were originally purchased with Northern financing - needed a new home.
"We wanted to keep Northern dollars in the North," said Bowerman. The solution was obvious.
"Oh, I know what to do with those," he recalled, "we'll give them to Camp Connections, I said."
The canoes are a welcome find for the Yellowknife Foster Family Association, which runs Camp Connections.
Camp manager Fraser Lennie said the canoes will be put to good use.
"We try to provide a good atmosphere, a camp full of fun and good times for these foster kids," said Lennie.
The camp provides a cultural and traditional experience for their campers. Focusing on seven teachings: bravery, honesty, truth, love, wisdom, respect and humility.
Sessions at the camp include various activities such as arts and crafts, fishing and swimming, sports, skills education and of course, canoeing.
Camp Connections itself is also a generous organization. About a month before finding out about the canoes, it lent Bosco Homes use of its facility.
Bowerman said it was nice to be able to return the gesture.
"One good turn deserves another," he said.
