Happy Anniversary Camp Goodtime!
The Canadian Cancer Society New Brunswick’s Camp Goodtime turns 25 this year.
Since 1989, Camp Goodtime has been a summer haven for New Brunswick children who have cancer or have had cancer. It brings them together for a week of fun, adventure and friendships in a safe, medically supervised environment. Camp Goodtime is open to children aged 7–12. A Junior Leadership Program offers unique leadership development opportunities to teens aged 13–16. All children and teens can bring a guest at no cost.
The Canadian Cancer Society is proud to recognize New Brunswick Masonic Charities and Housing Ltd. for their long-standing support of Camp Goodtime. The Masons have been sending children to Camp Goodtime for the past 25 years.
History
New Brunswick Masonic Charities and Housing Company Ltd., the charitable arm of the New Brunswick Masons, made its first contribution to Camp Goodtime in 1989. They “passed a hat” at one of their meetings and raised enough funds to send a number of New Brunswick children to Camp Goodtime in Nova Scotia.
By 1991, contributions from the New Brunswick Masons had increased – enough to start a New Brunswick Camp Goodtime and meet the needs of children living with cancer in this province. The first New Brunswick camps were held at the YM/YWCA Camp Glenburn on Belleisle Bay.
In 1998, Camp Goodtime relocated to Camp Rotary on Grand Lake. Camp Rotary is designed for people with special needs. The facility has several cabins to accommodate the children, large grassy fields for sports and games, a pool for swimming and a lake for sailing.
Since 1989, more than 1,100 children and teens from New Brunswick have attended Camp Goodtime. Many of the campers come year after year and enjoy seeing old friends, making new friends and inspiring children more recently diagnosed with cancer. Some campers go on to become camp counsellors.
Today, Camp Goodtime is an accredited member of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Oncology Camps (CAPOC). CAPOC is a national collaboration of independently operating children’s oncology camping organizations. The association is committed to ensuring that every child affected by childhood cancer has the opportunity for a safe, first-class pediatric oncology camping experience.
This year’s camp takes place July 7–13, 2013. For more information about 2014 dates and registration, contact the Canadian Cancer Society New Brunswick at 1-800-455-9090.