In October I was happy to join Camp Ooch 30th birthday celebration at the Evergreen Brick Works, 30 years of hard work, dedication and enormous commitment to kids and the community. It was amazing to see how many Camp Ooch good friends came to bring their best wishes and celebrate the huge success of the Camp.
At the event there were lots of stations to check out from delicious camp inspired food, live music, campfire and camp activities to Ooch store and Drama Dream Hut. One of my favorite stops was Memory Lane; it was interesting to read real kids stories through Ooch’s history. It goes back to 1983 when a group of volunteers and Ronald McDonald House Toronto board members came to the decision to build a summer camp exclusively for children with cancer and privately funded. Some of my readers (many others too) were amazed to learn that Camp Oochigeas is free for families and operated only by volunteers.
Camping definitely contributes to healing in any condition, from being on fresh air and camp activities to communication and sharing. What we could learn from the press copy of “A Brave Spirit Makes All Things Possible”, story of kids, cancer, camp and everything in between. It was great to see among guests lots of TV celebrities including Yannick Bisson and Nil Köksal who came to congratulate Camp Ooch with 30th anniversary.
It was pleasure to hear inspirational speeches of Jennifer Valentyne from Breakfast Teelevision, Hugh Rennie, Honorary Event Chair and Alex Robertson, Executive Director of Camp Oochigeas. The most exciting is that kids love Camp Ooch and Camp continues to grow by expanding their program in Muskoka, at the Hospital for Sick Children, Ooch Downtown in Toronto and other locations thanks to supporters like BMO Financial Group, Keihl’s, Manulife Finacial and many others including staff and volunteers.
These days Camp Ooch sets new goals to reach more kids affected by cancer and their families and give them an opportunity to experience the Magic of Ooch. Visit Camp Ooch for more information, and stay connected via Facebook and Twitter.
This camp is truly priceless for the kids that go there. Thanks for sharing & congrats to Ooch for being in operation for 30 years. All of whuch couldn't be done without the selfless acts of those who volunteer.
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