Month: April 2021

💌 #PLANFORCAMP: How to Get Involved

Posted on by Alec Amato

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the OCA’s Plan For Camp Virtual Campfire. Hearing about the resilience of the Ontario camp community was truly inspiring. We were grateful that so many of us joined together as a Manitou community to show our support even if only virtually. The virtual campfire has now been viewed over 20,000 times and we hope to continue with this incredible momentum.

If you were unable to join us for the YouTube livestream, we have included a link at the end of this email – we encourage you all to watch and learn more about the #planforcamp movement for Summer 2021. This incredible production is approximately 90 minutes long. If you are not able to watch in full, CLICK HERE to listen to the CEO of SickKids Hospital Dr. Ronald Cohn discuss the importance of camp and the outdoors for children’s mental health.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We have so much to be grateful for with the support we have received from so many families, staff and alumni. We hope this is the last time we need to reach out to ensure camps open this summer!

We need your help. We need your leadership. We need your advocacy and commitment. And we need you to speak in your own loud voice! There are 2 ways in which you can show your support:

1) WRITE OR CALL YOUR MPP

Premier Ford, his Cabinet Members, and provincial public health leaders must understand that now, more than ever before, kids need camp. When our Government has the opportunity to hear why camps need to open this summer for our children and youth it is only more impactful. CLICK HERE for instructions and for MPP contact information.

2) SUPPORT CAMPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Connect with your community on Social Media by using the hashtag #planforcamp and tagging our Provincial leaders. CLICK HERE for more information and images to share.

ARE YOU A CAMPER?

Even the younger members of our community can find ways to get involved. CLICK HERE for ways to show your support.

We remain hard at work to bring Summer 2021 to fruition. We can’t wait to be back together on the sunny shores of Lake Manitou-Wabing!

Mark, Jeff, Jen, Alec and Melissa

WATCH THE #PLANFORCAMP LIVESTREAM
COME LIGHT A CAMPFIRE: THE PATH BACK TO CAMP

🏕️ JOIN US: The OCA’S #planforcamp Virtual Campfire!

Posted on by Alec Amato

Dear Manitou Families, Staff, and Friends,

We need you! Join us, the Manitou community, and more than 10,000 other camp families for a special 1 hour presentation hosted by the Ontario Camps Association. This is an opportunity to celebrate Manitou and more importantly it’s to let our greater community understand the importance and significance of what a summer camp experience does for the future of children and youth in our province. While we wish we were all together at Queen’s Park to rally for camps to open, by having you at this virtual event, you will be advocating for camps.

You have been so supportive of Manitou over this past year by writing letters, sending us words of encouragement, and participating in our Firesides and online Manitou Cares programming. Many of you have asked how you can continue to help us bring Summer 2021 to reality. We now have a new way for you to help Camp Manitou and all Ontario summer camps through this inspiring event!

DETAILS

Date: Monday, April 12, 2021

Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: Virtually – join us on YouTube Premiere at bit.ly/planforcamp

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

RSVP at Facebook Event Page and please invite friends as well.

Post your support on social media, CLICK HERE for an image to share.

The Ontario Government really wants overnight camp to happen this summer. Recently a letter from Dr. David Williams was publicly sent to Ontario camps stating that Public Health realizes it takes time to open camps and is in support of reopening. We now need to take action to make our voices heard.

You will hear from Camp Directors, campers, and experts including SickKids CEO Dr. Ronald Cohn who will discuss both the OCA guidance and field guide process, along with the social, emotional, physical and mental health rationale for the OCA to open and serve our youth this year.

Meanwhile we are hard at work planning for another incredible Manitou summer. We look forward to gathering virtually on April 12th with your household and thousands of camp supporters!

-Mark, Jeff, Jen, Alec and Melissa