Children and families dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis have few places to go for respite while battling the deadly disease. Since it opened in 1985, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes has strived to be one beacon of light for those in one of the darkest points of their lives.
Last year 600 children attended Camp Goodtimes in over nine camp sessions split between the flagship Maple Ridge location and Camp Kringle in Shawnigan Lake. There are different weeks set aside for kids, teens, and families to attend.
Leader in training Myelle Young, from Victoria, who has been attending camp for 18 years, says attending Camp Goodtimes has had a major impact on her life and has provided her stability.
“Good times is family for sure,” she says. “There are small things in life that I think change in general, but the power of this community is continuing to grow and get stronger.
“Little changes, but the heart of it is still the same.”
According to the Canadian Cancer Society’s website, Camp Goodtimes offers several programs designed to allow everyone who attends, regardless of ability, the chance to take part in recreational experiences.
Eleanor Goudie is a camper, from Victoria, and says camp has allowed her to make several new friends, connect with old ones and really make lifelong connections through all the activities offered.
“It’s based in the cancer society, so it’s really cool to see people when you thought you were alone,” she says. “It’s a super fun place to make friends and hang out,”
Leader in training Owen Batey, from Parksville Qualicum, says everyone who comes to camp is encouraged from the start, the program is designed so kids can be kids but they’re also challenged to experience anything they want.
“Campers are constantly challenged to pursue talents or anything like that,” he says. “They can pursue music, outdoor adventures, swimming, whatever they want they can experience with childlike adventures.”
It costs about $2,000 to send a child to camp for a week, all fully funded by the camp and its benefactors.
“We don’t want funding to be a barrier to entry to families hoping to attend camp,” says Camp Goodtimes’ senior manager, Danielle McVicar.
Among their many benefactors, funds for the camp come in part from the Tour de Rock ride. It’s a 14-day event in which police agencies and emergency service personnel bike 1,200 kilometres across the island. Riders split the funds 50-50 between Camp Goodtimes and the childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Since its first ride in 1997, over $54 million has been raised by Tour de Rock and this year, they’ve already raised over $70 thousand.
Donations are still open for the Tour de Rock trek across Vancouver Island and with half the proceeds going to Camp Goodtimes participants say every penny is appreciated.
