Beltline Connaught Community Kids Camp Held at Grace Presbyterian Church this Summer
This August, Grace Presbyterian Church acted as host venue to a one-week mini summer camp for approximately 20 grade four to six students from Connaught Elementary School – a Beltline neighbour Grace collaborates with often. Rev. Jake Van Pernis, Rev. Wendy Adams and volunteer Marlene Doherty of the Engagement and Service Committee worked with Christine McCuaig, the Assistant Principal of Connaught and Ronni Abraham from The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) to provide the opportunity, while funding was provided by The Catalyst Fund of the Calgary Foundation. (TIES is a registered charity that has been working since 1988 to support immigrants and economically disadvantaged individuals by giving them a solid foothold in Canada that affords people the opportunities to feel belonging in their community.)
The camp ran from August 8- August 11, 2023, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at Grace. Camp goals included providing a safe, welcoming environment for students to build community and to learn about the Beltline Community. Programming was delivered through camp counsellors Madiha Shouma and Soffia Krok, as well as volunteers Sharon Evans, Huda Alshawi, Ronnette Abrams and Marlene Doherty.
Each day the children received a healthy breakfast, two snacks and lunch and each day had a theme. Activities included music, a picnic, a trip to Telus Spark Science Centre, and a trip to the Central Library.
Organizers found it heartwarming to see the relationships the children developed over their time at the camp. The children demonstrated a sense of caring for each other and a sense of belonging.
Sincere thanks was expressed to the wonderful camp counsellors and volunteers from TIES, as well as Grace volunteers and support staff, who provided an exceptional experience for the children. It was a pleasure for Grace to collaborate with Connaught to help meet needs in our shared Beltline community.
