Photo Credit: Camp Tamarack

By Shane Clausing

Community

Camp Tamarack receives $50,000 grant from province

Dec 20, 2020 | 5:00 AM

Officials with Camp Tamarack say the camp has received a big boost thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Government of Alberta.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, summer camps across the province had to be cancelled. Kent Belke with Camp Tamarack says this is a big deal.

“We had to cancel all of our summer programs, outdoor education programs and all of our rentals of the facility. It basically left us with no income except for donations and grants.”

“Thanks to this grant, we’ve got money to pay for maintenance on the camp, the utilities, insurance and those other fixed costs that just don’t go away. We’re so thankful for the Alberta Government for coming through and helping out with this. It’s just huge.”

Camp Tamarack has been in operation for over 30 years and strives to provide an inclusive and barrier-free outdoor camping experience for kids.

The announcement of the grant was made in a video posted to Facebook. Both Grande Prairie area MLAs, Tracy Allard and Travis Toews, were part of the announcement.

“Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, overnight camps will not be able to fully operate until next year,” said Allard in the video. “Alberta’s government is investing in Camp Tamarack and other camps across the province to ensure that the growth experiences and the life-long memories of an overnight camp are there for our kids next summer.”

“We wish Camp Tamarack the best and look forward to a time where they can reopen their doors to the young campers of Grande Prairie, hopefully, next year,” added Toews.

With funding now in place to help the camp get through 2020, Belke says he’s hopeful they will be able to open operations back up by the summer.

“We’ve decided to focus on a relaunch in 2021 and hopefully we’ll be able to get the outdoor education programs going again after the schools are back and able to travel.”

“We’ve had a lot of youth come and experience the wilderness setting that Camp Tamarack is in. It’s so amazing to have that wilderness setting so close to the City of Grande Prairie. To be able to take youth out there and give them a feel for the wilderness and just a sense of nature, it’s really great for their mental health and grows their character and builds self-esteem.”

Over 2,000 kids participated in activities and camps at the camp, most of whom were school kids.

The camp also draws schools and campers from across northwestern Alberta.

Donations to Camp Tamarack can be made at their website.