Seeds of Hope in Bloom: Summer at St. Paul’s
With support from two Seeds of Hope grants ($5,000 from the Watkins Fund for Innovative Programs and Projects in Addressing Poverty and Children at Risk, and $2,000 from the Davey Family Endowment Fund), St. Paul’s United Church in Dundas, Ontario, welcomed 139 children to its seven-week summer camp.
The camp provided affordable day programming for children ages 4-10, with sports, arts, games, outdoor activities, and traditional camp experiences. Care options for before and after the program also helped make things accessible to families with work schedules that didn’t align with regular camp hours.
For many children, the summer was a chance to make friends, try something new, and build confidence.
Some children arrived at camp feeling nervous about being away from their parents, especially those attending for the first time. By the end of the week, they were taking part confidently and, in some cases, didn’t want to leave.
The camp team also saw the importance of creating a welcoming environment for children with different needs. One autistic camper returned to camp after a positive experience the previous year.
“Sometimes the most important outcome is a child gaining confidence, making a friend, or discovering that they belong,” the camp team shared.
Building connections
Beautiful bonds developed throughout the summer, and not only between campers. Families, staff, and young people involved in the program were connected.
Two children arrived at camp as strangers and, by the end of the week, had formed such a strong friendship that they seemed as though they had known each other for years.
The camp also gave families an opportunity to become more connected with St. Paul’s and with one another. Many families returned for multiple weeks, creating a sense of continuity throughout the summer. Staff came to know children and parents over time, while returning campers helped build a familiar and welcoming camp community.
Seven youth also took part in the Leader in Training (LIT) program, gaining experience in leadership, teamwork, and communication. St. Paul’s hopes to expand the program and create a longer-term pathway for young people to move from camper, to LIT, to paid camp staff.
Keeping camp affordable was another priority. A “sliding-scale” registration model helped families to choose a registration fee based on their individual circumstances. Grant funding helped St. Paul’s balance affordable fees with fair wages for camp staff.
The 2026 camp received strong feedback from families. Over 75% of families surveyed indicated that they planned to return, or had children who wanted to return for multiple weeks or another summer.
Moving forward
St. Paul’s plans to continue building the camp in 2027, with an expanded LIT program and additional opportunities for children and families, including PA Day and March Break camps.
For the church, the experience reinforced that a successful camp extends beyond what happens on the schedule. It’s about the friendships children make, the confidence they develop, and the feeling they get when they know they have a place of belonging.
Interested in applying for a Seeds of Hope grant or other grants that support children, youth, and community? We are now accepting applications. Applications are due October 15, 2026.
