The charity that operates Squamish’s Easter Seal’s camp has announced next year’s camp is suspended.

In a letter to supporters the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities and the Easter Seals BC/Yukon Society said rising costs, aging assets, large capital expenditures, and reduced government support among other things led to the suspension of two camps next summer, including Squamish.

The charity hosts summer camps for children with disabilities, the cost of which to run (each camp is situated on 20 acres) for five weeks is between $700,000 – $900,000 per year. The organization says the costs are high due to the variety of needs of campers including more staff, nurses, accessible facilities and equipment, and specialized meal plans.

Charlene Krepiakevich, President and CEO of Easter Seals BC/Yukon says they want to look at how they can do things differently, provide more programming and support more individuals with disabilities; “…we just need the time to do some planning with our board of directors, and with our supporters and with families to come up with a new game plan.”

The CEO says they will have a conversation with the community about how to fund their programs as currently their funding model is not sustainable. Krepiakevich says they will be looking at how to better utilize the Squamish facility, and learn what residents need. While the 2018 camp has been suspended, future years of the Squamish camp have not been determined.

In 2018, the society will mark the 50th anniversary of their camp program and will launch a fundraising campaign while also drawing up a plan for their future. You can donate to the organization anytime at EasterSealsBCY.CA. If you would like to get involved with how future programs and services are re-imagined e-mail reimagine@eastersealsbcy.ca.

 

Filed under: Camp Squamish, Easter Seals, Sea to Sky, Squamish