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Mom or Dad is Away? Then Kids Should Play!

What’s the best way to combat the deployment and reunion blues? For 40 children experiencing the deployment of a parent, a week of canoeing, cheerleading, skateboarding, or radio broadcasting might just do the trick.

For the second year in a row, the Muskoka Woods Foundation’s Canadian Heroes Program has partnered with the Military Families Fund to send children to camp whose parents are pre, mid or post deployment. After opening their doors to 15 children from the Ottawa area in 2008, this year the program is expanding to host 40 young people from throughout Ontario.

“We would recommend Muskoka Woods summer camp program to all military families,” says the Epton family, whose children Sarah and Victoria attended last summer. “Definitely take advantage of this opportunity while military parents are on deployment. It’s not only a break for the parent at home, but a wonderful experience for the children.”

Children of Canadian Forces families will be attending camp for week-long stays in two groups: one at the beginning of summer, and one at the end. They’ll be able to select from activities for every interest and passion – Muskoka Woods offers sports, activities, media, fine arts and leadership programs.

The week away is designed to be as stress-free for the parents as it is for the kids. Through private donations, the Canadian Heroes Program covers all camp costs for families. Local Military Family Resource Centres have arranged transportation to and from the camp for children in their area, and the Military Families Fund is picking up the tab for all travel costs.

“It’s a wonderful thing that Muskoka is doing,” says Sandy Gautier, Senior Manager Military Families Fund. “They came to us with this great opportunity, and the Military Families Fund was happy to help. We’d love to see more opportunities to send kids to camp in the future!”

The Eptons, for one, were thrilled with the experience, and give Muskoka Woods camp high praise.

“Sarah and Victoria had such a great experience at Muskoka Woods last summer. They enjoyed themselves so much that we budgeted for them to go back this summer; they are really excited about returning to what they call ‘the best camp in the world!’”
 
For more information about Muskoka Woods and the Canadian Heroes Program, click on the links.

To learn more about the Military Families Fund, contact Sandy Gautier at Sandra.Gauthier@forces.gc.ca or visit the website by clicking here.