Press release: Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, June 25, 2026.
GUELPH – When the final bell rings later this week, summer vacation kicks off for students in Guelph and Wellington County, and the Children’s Foundation is aiming to make it a summer full of fun and memories for hundreds of children and youth this year.
This May, the Foundation ran their annual “Help Send Kids to Camp” fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising enough to fund 625 weeks of camp experiences for local children and youth. With the generous support of their matching sponsor, Skyline, who matched the first $35,000 in donations, they’ve made really encouraging progress – but are still about 60 weeks short of hitting their target.
“Attending camp is about more than just roasting marshmallows and making crafts,” said Karyn Kirkwood, Executive Director at the Children’s Foundation. “For many of the kids we support, camp is the closest they come to a summer vacation – a chance to play, try new things, and feel a sense of belonging. It’s where they build confidence, make friendships, and return to school in the fall with stories and memories they’re proud of.”
With the cost of living continuing to climb, many families in Guelph and Wellington are facing tight financial times and making difficult decisions to keep food on the table and a roof overhead – and the Children’s Foundation’s Free to Grow program provides funding for children and youth to make sure every child who needs it gets to experience a summer where they feel included, keeping kids active outdoors swimming, playing sports, and taking part in the kinds of activities that help them thrive.
Last year, the Children’s Foundation helped fund just over 600 weeks of camp experiences and are hoping to meet the growing demand this summer. Donations make a direct impact, with every $200 raised helping send a child to camp for a week.
There is still time to help local children and youth experience a summer filled with memories by donating today at: childrensfoundation.org/kidstocamp.
