Why Donate?
As a charitable, non-profit organization, Camp Kawartha relies on donations to deliver our programs, services, and mission. Below are some of the most common questions about giving to Camp Kawartha.
FAQs
1. Why should I donate when I already pay summer camp fees?
Registration fees cover the core cost of operating the camp, such as staff salaries, facilities, and day-to-day expenses. Like other summer camps, Camp Kawartha is a registered charity in Canada. Philanthropic support bridges the gap between registration fee revenue and the true cost of delivering an exceptional educational experience.
Gifts allow Camp Kawartha to go beyond the basics. They enhance programs, invest in innovation, support financial assistance, and maintain the property that makes our camp unique.
2. What does my donation support?
Depending on the fund you choose, your gift may support:
- Subsidy Fund – provides financial assistance to campers and students to experience camp and outdoor education class trips
- Area of Greatest Need – helps to tackle unexpected challenges and to accomplish major projects that require immediate support
- General Fund – keeps the Camp operating by providing funding for overhead, staff salaries, and core infrastructure.
- Capital Projects – assists Camp Kawartha invest in infrastructure such as buildings, equipment and other long-term physical assets.
Every gift strengthens the camper and student experience at Camp Kawartha.
3. Will my gift really make a difference if it’s modest?
Absolutely. Participation matters as much as the amount. When many families and community members give at a level that is meaningful to them, it demonstrates a strong, united community. High participation rates also strengthen the organization’s ability to attract leadership gifts and grants.
Every gift counts. Every donor matters.
4. How does philanthropy benefit my child?
Philanthropy enhances the experience of every camper, student and community member. Whether through updated facilities, enriched outdoor education programming, expanded high ropes opportunities, or smaller group sizes supported by financial assistance, donor generosity ensures that students and campers benefit from opportunities that fees alone cannot provide.
5. How does financial assistance strengthen the organization?
Philanthropic support for financial assistance ensures that any camper or student can attend Camp Kawartha regardless of financial circumstances. This strengthens the entire Camp Kawartha community.
6. What is the difference between the General Fund and Capital Fund giving?
The General Fund supports immediate priorities and enhances the current student and camper experience each year. Capital or campaign gifts typically support long-term projects such as new facilities, major renovations, or endowment growth to ensure the organization’s future sustainability.
Both are essential to the vitality of Camp Kawartha.
7. Is philanthropy only for alumni and past parents?
Not at all. Current parents, past alumni, grandparents, community members, staff, and friends all play a role. A thriving culture of philanthropy is built on a shared belief in Camp Kawartha’s mission and a desire to strengthen it for today’s campers and future generations of stewards.
8. How does Camp Kawartha ensure accountability and transparency?
Camp Kawartha is governed by a Board of Directors and operates as a registered charity. Gifts are directed to their designated purpose, and the organization is committed to careful stewardship and transparent reporting on the impact of philanthropy. Annual financial reports are available for review, and a charity audit is conducted yearly.
9. Can I direct my gift to a specific area?
Yes. Donors may choose to support priority areas that align with their priorities, or they may give to Camp Kawartha’s greatest need, allowing leadership to respond to emerging opportunities.
10. What kind of impact can philanthropy have over time?
Philanthropy shapes the future of Camp Kawartha.
It strengthens programs, supports innovation, preserves the facilities, and ensures long-term sustainability. Most importantly, it transforms the lives of campers and students who will go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the environment.
A Legacy of Support
Camp Kawartha exists because generations of families, teachers, and community members believed in something bigger…they believed in community, opportunity, and shared responsibility for our planet. Philanthropy is how we honour that tradition and ensure Camp Kawartha continues to thrive for years to come.
Summer Camp Subsidy
Research has demonstrated that children are spending ever greater amounts of time indoors, on average spending 7½ hours per day in front of a glowing screen – watching television, glued to computers or gaming systems, tablets or smartphones. An entire generation of children are largely being raised indoors. Summer is a significant window of opportunity to get children outdoors.
Children from lower-income families have a lesser likelihood of attending a summer camp. The current economic climate can be challenging for families, and many are just getting by. While we keep our costs as low as possible, summer camp fees are simply out of reach for many children in need.
At Camp Kawartha, as a not-for-profit charity, our mission is to provide camping opportunities for as many children as possible. We reach out to families through a special fund dedicated to sponsoring kids in need. Over 10% of our total camping population receives assistance from this fund.
Outdoor Education Subsidy
Studies have shown that exposure to nature raises test scores, increases creativity, cooperation and self-confidence, as well as enhancing cognitive abilities and improvements to overall health. The best means of fostering these ‘natural’ advantages in our children is to immerse them in natural settings, to provide them with opportunities to explore, to play and to learn about the very life systems which sustain us all.
We strive to provide all students with rich interactions with the natural world. Ecological programming, natural and human history, and stewardship opportunities combined with our outdoor recreational programming (archery, night hikes, games, climbing wall etc.) immerse students, and foster an understanding and love for the outdoors, and for nature, that will endure long into adulthood.
Help us welcome students whose socio-economic situation would deprive them of this opportunity to visit our Outdoor Education Centre. Your donation will help open a world of learning and a shared experience.
Capital Improvements
There are so many issues facing children today, from climate change to habitat destruction, and from pollution to overpopulation. It is easy to become discouraged in the face of what seems like a bleak future. At Camp Kawartha, we believe that environmental education is an act of hope. We can inspire children to become active caretakers of their own communities by showing what effective, sustainable living looks like and by teaching them to appreciate, protect and enhance the living systems that nurture us all.
Every child at every age can engage in simple acts of green. Whether it means creating a pollinator garden or planting a tree – whether it means naturalizing a shoreline or finding ways to become more energy efficient, we all can make our communities more nature rich and our lives more sustainable. At Camp Kawartha, we want to foster the next generation of environmental leaders. Camp Kawartha also recognizes it takes a village to foster stewardship. This is work that we cannot undertake alone.
This is why we are inviting you to join us on our journey as we work towards our future. Camp Kawartha is preparing to undertake a $3.5M capital campaign to support our vision of becoming a provincial leader in the delivery of environmental and outdoor education programming.
Area of Greatest Need
In many instances, unforeseen events have greatly affected CK’s ability to carry on operating as usual. The major windstorm in the spring of 2022 knocked down over 400 trees on our main site, destroying many buildings in the process. During this time, donations to our Area of Greatest Need campaign were absolutely pivotal to our success in rebuilding and restoring the property before the start of the Summer Camp season.
In another case, the COVID-19 pandemic brought many obstacles to scheduling and delivering Outdoor Education programming due to the social distancing mandates. Support through the Area of Greatest Need funds enabled the Camp to develop and execute creative new ways to deliver environmental learning initiatives and avoid shutting down entirely.
If you would like to help us continue tackling unexpected challenges and accomplishing major projects that require immediate support, please consider contributing to this campaign.
