Source: May 26, 2013, Peterborough Examiner, Dale Clifford.
https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news-story/8200689-being-a-kid-for-the-day-sending-a-child-to-camp-r-n/
The grounds at Camp Kawartha featured a host of kids on Saturday.
Actually, they ranged in age from 20 to 65 and were part of the fourth Kawartha–Haliburton Children’s Foundation’s (KHCF) Be A Kid for a Day fundraiser, working in close conjunction with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society (KHCAS) to help send a child to camp for a week.
And, actually, this year’s version of the special day featured the largest turnout yet with 13 teams of eight players each, totalling 104 participants, taking part in a variety of kids-related activities.
There were nine entries last year when an about $17,000 was raised. The goal this time around was about $25,000 with the hopes of sending around 30 children out of this event to a camp. They help about 275 altogether.
“It has been a win-win event,” said Donna Barry, KHCF fundraising co-ordinator and the brainchild of the affair. “It gives local businesses a day to get out of the office, have some fun, exercise and help raise money for kids. It helps the businesses with team building and they get to feel what it’s like to be a kid again. They are adults being kids for a day. It is a great time and we appreciate everyone’s help. We have received a lot of help from the community and we have great volunteers.”
The participants were called Team BDO, YMCA, Trinity Taxi, Scotia, Juice, TD Bank Group, MicroAge, Mad Dogs, Investors Group, Mills Motors Buick GMC, who entered three squads, and Stewart Morrison Insurance.
With the emphasis on children’s activities, they competed in various corporate challenges including a Voyageur canoe portage, high ropes, wall climbing and fire making. At the end of the day, they enjoyed such activities as wine tasting (OK more adult), a silent auction, entertainment, a camp style dinner and awards ceremony. Each team received a T-shirt with its logo on the back.
“It’s all camp style and what kids would do,” said Barry, who referred to those who assisted as champions.
Team Scotia’s Linda O’Connor has participated since the start.
“It’s good to help the kids and it helps with team building,” she said. “You feel young again and it’s all good fun.”
Barry emphasized the importance of helping the children and sending them to camp.
“It can be a positive life-changing experience for them,” she said. “Going to camp makes the world of difference in the lives of children and does a lot for things like their self-esteem. I started this because I was looking to do something different, unique and it was the kids (the word itself). It has been wonderful.”
