Live Local Community Spotlight

How did the community help you succeed?

After the facilities opened in 2017, restoring the camp’s infrastructure proved itself to be a tricky endeavour. However, with the help of local service clubs like HAGI, the Thunder Bay business community, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), and countless other donors, we have been able to set and reach goals that would not have been possible otherwise.

Thunder Bay has been so supportive to us.

The challenges of COVID-19 have emphasized how important building a strong community truly is. We’re looking forward to working together with our community in the future no matter what challenges we may face.

What were some of the challenges starting an organization in Thunder Bay?

As a non-profit organization, we have had to rely heavily on support from our sponsors, donors, and other sources in order to make necessary changes to the camp’s infrastructure. Fundraising has been a challenge of its own, but during renovations in 2017, we discovered many issues with the campground that prevented us from opening at full capacity. This included roof leaks, water damage, rotting foundations, loose boards, and other untimely setbacks.

There is a lot that goes into acquiring and restoring a facility of this nature. Learning about regulations, guidelines, and proper accessibility procedures has been quite the learning curve, but we wanted to make sure we did things right.

What would you tell others looking to start their own organization in Thunder Bay?

Never be afraid to ask for help, learn from others, and enjoy the experience!

Starting down a new path can be scary, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. If you love what you are doing and you put the work in, success is just a matter of time.

What are you most thankful for?

We’d like to thank HAGI for their continued contribution to our summer subsidy and general subsidy programs. These programs have allowed countless individuals to enjoy our facilities at qualified subsidized rates.

And of course, our community. Without your contributions none of this would be possible. Thank you!

“Never be afraid to ask for help, learn from others, and enjoy the experience! If you love what you are doing and you put the work in, success is just a matter of time.” - Wilderness Discovery