With the help of a $300,000 donation from Scotiabank, the Easter Seals B.C.-Yukon charity organization will be hosting a virtual “Great B.C. Camp Out” on Aug. 1 to boost the spirits of youth and families who are missing out on camping this summer due to COVID-19.
Lisa Beck, the president and CEO of Easter Seals B.C.-Yukon, said the charity recognizes that families are staying home to help mitigate the sparead of COVID-19, and the hope is that this virtual event will give a sense of the camping experience.
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The idea for the virtual camp-out comes after the success of Easter Seals Camps’ virtual “Camps at Home” program, which allows campers to log-on alongside peers and a trained counsellor who lead them through virtual activities.
Isabelle Gagne, a 16-year-old from Kelowna, said that she’s enjoying her second experience with the program, despite the fact that it’s been a virtual one.
“I am looking forward to seeing my friends at camp…even if it’s online,” said Gagne.
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In partnership with the B.C. Camps Association, the one-hour camping at home experience will be streamed on the Easter Seals YouTube channel and will feature campfire stories and songs performed by B.C. artists that include Abegael Fisher-Lang, Cambree Lovesy and Naomi Steinberg.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: aaron.hemens@crestonvalleyadvance.ca
@aaron_hemens
aaron.hemens@crestonvalleyadvance.ca
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