In this issue:
• THE YMCA KANAWANA NEWSLETTER!
• LOOKING FORWARD: MISSION & VISION
• THE DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN
• WHAT'S NEW - SUMMER '07 & EVENTS
• CAMPER CORNER!!!
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THE YMCA KANAWANA NEWSLETTER!
Welcome to the newest publication from YMCA Kanawana! The goal of this newsletter is to share with you the latest news from Kanawana including highlights from our development project. We hope you enjoy this new publication and welcome any feedback you have for future editions.
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LOOKING FORWARD: MISSION & VISION
Three years ago, the YMCA launched an intensive long term planning process with the help of Kanawana Alumni & Friends, volunteers, staff and outside experts. Together we developed a vision for the future of Kanawana and a master plan for necessary facility improvements and additions.
The vision focuses on giving more children from more diverse backgrounds the opportunity to experience Kanawana, and introduces an ecological mandate - a way in which Kanawana can do more for the environment through sustainable infrastructures, practices and education. 
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THE DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN
The Campaign to make this project possible is being led by Kanawana alumni and parents John E. Cleghorn as Honorary Chair, Rob Braide and Michael Novak as Co-Chairs and Gary Maavara, Andrew Caddell and Jonathan Birks as Chairs of Corporate, Alumni and Foundation Giving. To date, we have received gifts and pledges for a total amount of $1,260,000! Our special thanks to the Cleghorn Family, Rob Braide and Gary Maavara for their leadership gifts.
The support of Kanawana Alumni & Friends will be critical to the next phase of the campaign. Indeed, your gifts will have important leveraging effects as we continue to present our the Development Project with foundations and corporations. Read more about how you can contribute as an alumnus, parent or friend of Kanawana.
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 WHAT'S NEW - SUMMER '07 & EVENTS
SUMMER 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
Summer 2007 was a wonderful success! Over the past 5 years we've had an overall increase in the number of campers, including a 14% increase in Eco-games, Kanawana's 9th week. Our 1-week sessions continue to be a popoluar introduction for younger campers with a combined increase of 27%. In addition to the community partnerships begun in 2006 (see 'read more' link below), and in-line with our renewed mission & vision, we have introduced many new initiatives, including:
- an intergenerational organic garden run by the children and seniors of the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA;
- a 2-week canoe-trip for youth-at-risk from the West Island YMCA;
- 20 camperships for children from the Center-South area of Montreal through our Guy-Favreau YMCA;
- a kitchen-waste composting program;
- fair-trade goods being sold at "tuck".
EVENTS RECAP
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Alumni & Friends Reunion September 8-9th was the 4th annual Alumni & Friends reunion weekend at  Kanawana. With wonderful weather and a great turnout of approximately 100 people, the weekend was filled with Kanawana spirit. Campers, families, neighbours, and alumni of all ages came to take a look at the new environmental facilities, explore Kanawana, take a paddle in a canoe and enjoy some time with old friends by the campfire. Check out the photos here.
- 4th Annual Sam Lazarus Street-Hockey Jamboree
After pouring rain in the morning (a jamboree tradition!), the day cleared up and the 4th Annual Sam Lazarus Street Hockey Jamboree event was a huge success!  Four teams competing for Sam’s Cup – 3 teams of YMCA Kanawana ‘Old Boys’, including Sam’s brothers, and a team of current Kanawana staff. For the second year in a row, the Kanawana staff won in a nail-biting victory.
With approximately 300 people in attendance, great raffle prizes, an awesome BBQ, and new 5-hole Sam merchandise for sale, a total of $11,500 was raised, bringing the fund to $75,000. The fund is endowed in perpetuity and each year, the revenues enable less privileged children to attend Kanawana. Next summer 6 campers will attend YMCA Kanawana thanks to the generosity of all those who remember and celebrate Sam's memory. Check out the photos here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- There are currently no events scheduled for fall 2007. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and any help in organizing new (and old) events!
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 CAMPER CORNER!!!
A WORD FROM YOUR CHIEF
Summer 2007 was a wonderful success!! I'd like to personally thank each of you for everything you brought to Kanawana this summer - your laughter, your curiosity, your wisdom, your friendship. You bring Kanawana alive! I'd also like to thank the staff of 2007 for their dedication to you, the campers. I hope you all enjoyed the summer as much as I did. Here are a few highlights from this summer:
- NEW ENVIRONMENTAL WASHROOMS & SHOWERS!
- Pip Presentation to Itche Kerr during 3rd session banquet
- Opening campfire of 1st session & reading the records of summer 2006
- L & V - a very close victory by the...
- Being surrounded by friends
See you all next summer - or better yet, join the YMCA Ski & Snowboard School and we'll see you this winter! Remember...wherever you go, whatever you do, you'll always be a Kanawanian!
WORD SCRAMBLE
Hey Campers! Can you help descramble this list of Places Around Camp? Send your answers via e-mail to kanawana@ymcamontreal.qc.ca. First 5 campers to respond correctly will receive a Kanawana prize. Good Luck!
- GEDOL
- SNMTAUC
- PETEEE
- ULOTKOO
- MCOSPAS
- INNDGI LALH
- MIINSWMG RAENTFWRTO
- OCUNICL GIRN
- IHTSEHOGLU
- TASR & RFASCT
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Click image to download
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MOVING TOWARDS GREENER SUMMERS |
A progress report
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This was Teria's first time at camp and also away from home. Her experience at Camp Kanawana was amazing!!! Upon her return home her first comment was 'I am so going back next summer -and for 2 sessions this time'. For us as parents that says it all!!!
-Carmen Sarroino (parent of Teria Sarroino 12 yrs old)
Children's camp stories - of friendship, laughter, struggles, adventures, compassion and cooperation - tell us what happened at camp. They show us how they matured at camp, and how this unique experience inspired them to take their place in the world. For my father, my brothers, and my children, Camp YMCA Kanawana was a most memorable experience.
YMCA Kanawana is about children, families and staff. I am encouraged that with the new devolvement plans for camp, more people will enjoy the camp experience. Although we all cherish the history of YMCA Kanawana, we look forward to a renewed and improved site that will be shared with thousands each year.
-Judy Ware-Weil (Parent, volunteer and member of the Steering Committee)
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