An additional number of spots for the free summer camp program at MacDonald Island for Wood Buffalo children have been opened up due to the high demand for the program. The program is possible because of a partnership between MacDonald Island Park and Scotiabank. The RRC struggled to keep pace with the demand as the initial spots were rapidly filled up for the first camp session so 350 more spots have been opened to the program. The Anzac Recreation Centre also offered an extra 270 spots as well. According to RRC CEO Annette Antoniak “We’re really excited about it. We had a huge turnout for the first session of registrations.” Increasing the spots open to local children will ensure that kids who qualify will have an opportunity to attend summer camp for a week.
The free summer camp program at MacDonald Island Park offers kids in the area a chance to be kids again after everything that they have gone through and lost. Adults and children both have had to leave their homes, face uncertainty and instability, and struggle just to get by while they were under an evacuation order. Many people lost property, belongings, and even their homes when the wildfire swept the area. This can be a big source of emotional trauma for children. Many parents could not afford summer camp tuition because of all the other unexpected expenses. The program gives kids the chance to be with other kids, to run and play, and to forget even if only for a little while how their world has changed for the worse in recent months.