Camper Scholarships at Camp Kanata

Something very important we offer at Camp Kanata is scholarship money for children whose family would otherwise be unable to afford for them to come to camp. If you or your children have ever been to camp, you know what a huge impact summer camp has on your life forever.

Here are quotes from some of our scholarship campers last year:

Edgar – 11 years old
I learned that it does not matter where you come from, you are at home at Camp Kanata. Camp Kanata is a great place to meet new friends. You can learn a lot about life.

Jessica – 8 years old
There are a lot of bugs at camp. So if you mess with them they will mess with you. I liked the counselors--they are awesome! And sand castle building is really cool. Some people say it's hard but it’s really easy to me! I have made a lot of cool friends. My mom is gonna be so proud of me and you guys too because you kept me safe! I had so much fun. Camp Kanata is the best. I LOVE YOU!

Ryan – 9 years old
I liked the lake and the fun counselors. It’s the best place in the world and everybody is so nice and I think that I will come back again and again because it’s so fun. Thank you Camp Kanata!

Every year we raise money through our We Build People campaign to send kids like these to camp. Please contact us if you can help: give money and/or volunteer to raise money. Thanks for your consideration!

Eva Hobson
Director of Administration
eva.hobson@campkanata.org

Camp Builds Kids' Confidence and Independence

I frequently hear parents say something like . . . "My child says they are ready to go to camp but I'm not ready for them to go to camp." As a parent myself, I would encourage parents to send their child to camp, especially if they say they are ready. The camp experience is perfect for building kids' confidence and independence. Kids learn so many valuable skills at camp . . . how to make friends, how to do different activities such as archery, riflery and so much more.

It's difficult to trust others to take care of your children but rest assured at Kanata many, many safety procedures are in place to prevent any mishaps. You'll be amazed at how your child will grow emotionally and mentally in just six days and the effects will last so much longer than that. Summer camp is one of the best investments you can make each year in your child's life. Give them the opportunity to build some of the best memories they will ever have. I hope to see you here at Kanata this summer!

Have a FUN day!

Eva Hobson
Director of Adminstration
eva.hobson@campkanata.org

A message from Eva, Director of Administration

Three plus years ago I accepted the awesome opportunity to work at the best summer camp in the world--Kanata. It is so much FUN to work here! I am responsible for overseeing registration, human resources and general office administration. Camp Kanata is part of the YMCA of the Triangle; I have worked with the YMCA since 1989. Camp work is a lifestyle, not just a job.

Two people even more excited (if that's possible) that I started working at Kanata are my daughters Natalie (age 14) and Caroline (age 8 3/4). Caroline LOVES camp! For the past three summers she has been in the day camp almost every day all summer. On the last day of camp, she asks how long it will be before she can come back to Kanata. Caroline also really enjoys Kanata Mini Camps--she trys to come to every one. Mini Camp is a two night overnight (weekend) camp that Kanata provides a few times between December and May. This summer Caroline will have her first week of over night camp--she is thrilled.

My daughter Natalie started overnight camp when she was 6 years old. At the end of the session when I picked her up, Natalie said (with emphasis) "Why did you come get me?" She has not gone a summer with going to overnight camp since. One of Natalie's goals is to become a CILT (camper in leadership training) at Kanata in 2010. Natalie loves the people at Kanata--they are hilarious. She thinks the counselors are AMAZING because they make you feel at home. Camp is a great place to make friends according to Natalie. She love the activities, particularly archery. It's good to go summer after summer because relationships build and continue. She really enjoys the cheering at meals.

In the three years I have been at Kanata, some great things have been added: a beautiful swimming pool, an incredible Alpine Tower, and a very large sports field. Many more exciting changes are planned for the future. Kanata is an amazing camp and a wonderful place to be . . . for campers and for staff.

Next time you're at camp, be sure to stop in the office and say hello. And, if there's anything we can help you with, don't hesitate to contact us.

Have a FUN day!

Eva Hobson
Director of Administration
eva.hobson@campkanata.org

On the road for Kanata

I am at the Y Guides & Princesses Winter Inning today and I have a Kanata information table set up as a way to promote our summer programs. Almost all of the dads and their kids I see today have been to Kanata for there kick off campfire every year. As I stand beside my table and the camp dvd plays in the background I run into two types of children. The first type are the kids who have never been to Kanata before and they are in a trance watching all the fun things we do at camp as the dvd plays. The second type are the kids who have been to Kanata in the summer and they love the fun things we do, but they don't care about the dvd they want to talk about their counselor and their friends and see if they are coming back.

Kanata is a great place with some great activities, but what makes it magical and impactful are the friendships. We hope to see you at Kanata this summer and I bet you come home with some great new friends. See you this summer.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Connecting...that's what it's all about

When I think about what makes Kanata special to so many people I realize it is the time we spend connecting with them.  Maybe you first connected with Kanata at a Y-Guides & Princesses Fall Outing or you connected at a Mini-Camp and it was your first overnight away from home.  You might have met us at a Camp Fair or a friend told you about Kanata and you decided to give it a try.

Whatever way you were first introduced to us we are glad it happened and now we are always looking for better ways to connect with our present campers, our staff, our alumni and our parents.  Because of this we are actively using new and different methods to stay in contact with present Kanata family members and looking at new ways to reach out to those we haven’t connected with yet.

A great resource we are using to stay connected with staff and alumni is Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) .  This website allows us to find former staff and campers and keep them updated on what is going on at camp and to give them opportunities to reconnect through alumni events throughout the year.  Just search for Camp Kanata.  The fun doesn’t stop there!  We recently started a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/campkanata) where we are able to upload videos of things going on at camp.  It is a simple way to introduce a new staff member, highlight changes at camp and just do some fun stuff to make ourselves (and hopefully you) laugh.  We have also gone to an email newsletter format.  This allows us to quickly and efficiently send out updates without the cost of paper and postage and to be better stewards of our natural resources.  We fully understand that we are in the people business and we just happen to run a camp.  Because of this we want to get to know you better and we want you to know us better.  Please take time to catch up with us through Facebook, YouTube, email or drop by and see us sometime. 

 

Thank you for choosing Kanata for your summer camp experience!  We can’t wait to see you next summer!

 

Your Camp Director,

 

Dave Bell