More than 150 campers from across the Lower Mainland took over Camp Squamish on Saturday for the second annual Camp Challenge, British Columbia’s only charity sports day for adults. Created in 2015, Camp Challenge is the reinvention of the Easter Seals longstanding 24 Hour Relay event. Like the 24 Hour Relay, Camp Challenge focuses on fundraising, team sports and an optional overnight camp out, but in a new and exciting format that emulates a favourite childhood activity for adults – sports day.
Camp Challenge participants raised over $212,000 this year. The funds raised by Camp Challenge help to send more than 800 kids and young adults with disabilities to one of three accessible Easter Seals camps in BC.
Teams earned points for participating in a series of challenges and competed for the title of Camp Challenge Champions, eventually won by Gerhard’s Theme Dream Team, who raised a collective $9,164.34 for the cause and included the top individual fundraiser Jason Kroeker who raised $8,177.22 alone. The highest fundraising teams included: Sooke Sole Patrol, raising $15,740.00, BC Electrical Association raising $10,100, and Acklands Grainger raising $9,975.
“We were truly inspired by the incredible generosity and hard work displayed by our teams at Camp Challenge this year,” explained Amy Kleckner, events manager for the BC Lions Society. “The same excitement we saw for so many years at the 24 Hour Relay has been met at the new Camp Challenge event. To see adults go back to summer camp for a day and experience one of Easter Seals accessible camps for themselves is so exciting, not to mention their contributions are life-changing for the children and families that get the chance to go to camp this summer.”
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This year’s event saw more than 15 challenges and activities including a biathlon, hosted by Sea to Sky Nordics, various trivia and sport challenges, followed by summer camp favourites like tie-dye, lawn games, swimming and an epic campfire before the optional camp out for the night.
“Camp Challenge wouldn’t be the event it is today without the support we receive from our many sponsors, including Mountain FM, The Squamish Chief, Global, Shaw, Sea to Sky Nordics, Nesters Market, and Air North,” added Kleckner. “From creating online and social media buzz to participating in the finisher’s area on event-day, they continue to bring attention to an important community cause and we are so appreciative of that.”
Camp Challenge is just one of many annual events produced by the British Columbia Lions Society in support of Easter Seals camps in BC, including last month’s Woman2Warrior and the upcoming Drop Zone. For more details on these events, and others produced by the British Columbia Lions Society in support of Easter Seals BC, please visit www.eastersealsbc.ca.
About Camp Challenge: The Easter Seals Camp Challenge is British Columbia’s only charity sports camp for adults, raising funds to benefit Easter Seals camps in British Columbia. Teams earn points for participating in a series of challenges and compete for the title of Camp Challenge Champions, then take part in afternoon lawn games, volleyball, tie dye, swimming, a campfire, and an optional camp-out. It’s the perfect kick-off to summer – and a seriously memorable way to help send over 800 kids and young adults with disabilities to a week-long camping experience at one of three Easter Seals accessible camps. To register, donate or learn more about the Easter Seals Camp Challenge, visit www.eastersealscampchallenge.com.
About the British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilities: The BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities has been providing services to people with disabilities and illnesses since 1955.
The Society owns and operates three Easter Seals Camps across BC. Each year, approximately 800 children with disabilities attend one of our week-long, fully-accessible, overnight camps in Shawnigan, Winfield, and Squamish. The goal at our camps is to focus on abilities rather than disabilities, providing campers with an opportunity to try new activities, create lasting memories, and build life-long friendships.
The Society also owns and operates the Easter Seals House. Families from all over BC and the Yukon stay at Easter Seals House while their child receives care and treatment at nearby medical facilities. Their visit may be as short as one or two nights, or as long as several months. No matter how long they plan to stay, all guests arrive to a warm, comfortable, cost-friendly environment that provides a perfect home away from home during a stressful time.
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