Youth have adventures in Mishkeegogamang

When Karen Ward retired after working as a camp director in Muskoka, she was looking forward to spending her summers relaxing with her husband.
But Ken Dick, president of Feed the Children Canada had other ideas. He called Ward and said he had a dream to have a camp for children in the north who wouldn’t otherwise have a camping experience.
Ward couldn’t say no. So when Dick responded to a request from the school principal in Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation for shoes and gym equipment for the children, it began a relationship with the community that led to the summer camp Dick had dreamed about.
With the support of Chief Connie Gray-McKay, Ward and an enthusiastic team of young people ran a free three-week day camp that included swimming and canoeing lessons, sports, crafts, lifeskills and leadership skills.
That was back in 2006. This summer Karen and a dedicated team of young people completed their fourth summer at Mishkeegogamang, and are more excited than ever about the relationships that have developed.
“We felt so welcome and appreciated this summer and the relationships we are building with the kids are getting stronger because of our consistency in running Mish Adventures,” Ward says. “The weather was great and once we acquired a school bus from a wonderful couple in Pickle Lake, we were able to run all the activities we had planned from the area around the Missaby School.
“Swimming as usual was a favourite activity. We had several kids get over their fear of the water and learn some basic strokes and water safety. Crafts are always a huge hit. This summer was no exception. It was fun to watch the kids create special items that they often gave as gifts to the camp staff.
A separate program for the older kids was run and it went very well, she said.
“In fact, we often had up to 10 young people enjoying a competitive game of soccer and other sports. They also took an afternoon canoe trip exploring islands and racing with each other.
“Our favourite day was when we brought all the kids to a special beach area and ran a ‘fun in the sun’ day.”
Sand castle building, face painting, beach volleyball as well as many hours just playing in the water made the day very special.
The youth group built a fire where they roasted hot dogs for lunch. The kids didn’t want to leave the beach that day and begged for another day just like that.
“Many evenings we played baseball with the families from the community. Our time ended with a wonderful barbecue put on by the community to thank us for all we had done for the kids. The staff are already talking about going back next year, and how they can’t wait to hang out with the kids in Mish again.”
Other organizations have partnered with Feed the Children to lend their support. Sew on Fire, a volunteer group in Burlington, donated 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to give out on the last day of camp. Wasaya offered warehouse space in Pickle Lake to store food parcels and other goods.
“They have also helped us to deliver them,” Ward said. “They have been very generous jointly to us and the North-South partnership. They are a partner in this event.”
Another partner is Eagle’s Cry Life Centre in Thunder Bay, run by Sky and Angie Hedrick. Before heading up to Mishkeegogamang, Ward and her team kicked off their camp with a food drop at Eagle’s Cry. From the centre, they distributed 350 food boxes and 350 hygiene boxes to families in need.
In addition, Vale Inco donated $75,000 to build bunk beds for the reserve. The beds, which are being constructed by teenage volunteers, will create 200 needed sleeping spaces.
According to Ward, Gray “has been very supportive. She believes it is a good influence on the kids.”
That view is shared by others in the community.
“One mom made meals for us. She told me, ‘You know, when I heard about this camp, I didn’t think too much about it. But I’ve seen the kids get a combination of love and discipline they don’t normally get. I’ve seen a change in them in three weeks. You need to stay.’”
Sasha Jarvis, the youth camp director, agrees.
“The parents have noticed that their kids come home from the camp happy,” Jarvis said. “Our acceptance into the community has increased.”
Jarvis, who is completing a master’s degree in nursing, specializing in rural health, spent nine months working in Tanzania as a CIDA intern.
She said she wanted to return to Africa, but after one summer at Mish, “two faces of the children flashed into my head. That’s what made me go back.”