Help Fill The Bus & Send Kids To Camp!
13-03-2025
In today’s digital world, children are more connected to screens than ever before. The average child spends 4 hours a day on screens, and research shows that greater screen time is associated with anxiety and depression in children.
Even more, 1 in 4 youth in Canada say they always or often feel lonely.
It’s a serious problem for our young people, but with the YMCA, the future is bright.
YMCA summer camps provide a rare and valuable opportunity for kids to unplug from their devices and reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves. Away from screens, they build real friendships, develop independence, and engage in outdoor adventures that inspire curiosity and resilience.
Resilience is one of the most important life skills a child can develop. It’s what helps them bounce back from setbacks, navigate stress, and build confidence in themselves. According to experts, resilience is shaped by the environments children grow up in—and camp is one of the most powerful environments for fostering this strength.
A study on Canadian summer camps found that camp fosters personal growth in key areas:
Social skills
Self-confidence
Emotional intelligence
A love for physical activity and the outdoors
The benefits of summer camp don’t stop when camp ends—children carry these lessons with them for life.
Yet, 1 in 3 children across Hamilton, Burlington, and Brantford need financial assistance to go to camp.
Help us “Fill the Bus.”
Together, we can send even more children to camp this summer!
