For more than 20 years, Camp Northern Lights near Haliburton, Ont. has provided The Peer Project | Youth Assisting Youth with a home for a weekend a year so at-risk and newcomer kids from Toronto can experience the wilderness for the first time. For many it is their first night sky, their first camp fire or their first swim in a fresh-water lake.
Unfortunately, the camp's board of directors has decided to end their very generous yearly gift that gave so many kids an experience of a life time. Experiencing the outdoors can have a transformative impact on kids making them happier, healthier and more connected to each other.
“Growing up as a kid, I never used to go camping or do anything like that because I came from the city,” says Charlie Lo, a Peer Project mentee. “I learned so many new things [at camp] – I learned how to swim there, how to canoe, kayak, and go cliff jumping.”
About The Peer Project
The Peer Project helps at-risk and newcomer kids meet their full potential through our unique peer-mentoring service, matching newcomer and at-risk kids ages 6-15 with trained and dedicated youth volunteers ages 16-29 who act as positive role models.
The Peer Project mentoring program has helped over 30,000 kids since 1976. Our customized program uniquely recruits, assesses, and matches youth based on personality, interests, and location. We take the time to get the match right. We also provide on-going training and 24-hour support for our mentors, as well as organize monthly activities to bring our matches together.
Research reveals peer mentoring can help kids not only stay away from violence, but also live healthier lives, improve school performance, and reduce instances of bullying. A meta-analysis of 73 papers found peer-mentoring helped improve outcomes for youth “across behavioral, social, emotional and academic domains.”
Dear Camp Northern Lights Board of Directors,
Thank you for your generous gift for over 20 years helping our newcomer and at-risk kids experience the wilderness for the first time.
We implore you to reconsider your decision to end our relationship. We cannot imagine our program without this experience. This special summer weekend is the highlight of the year for many of our kids. It is where a number of them experience their first night sky, their first camp fire or their first swim in a fresh-water lake.
“Growing up as a kid, I never used to go camping or do anything like that because I came from the city,” says Charlie Lo, a Peer Project mentee. “I learned so many new things [at camp] – I learned how to swim there, how to canoe, kayak, and go cliff jumping.”
Your summer camp has help change the lives of countless kids unfortunately too used to disappointment and rejection. Please do not add to their burden.
We hope this petition will convince you to re-consider your decision.
Thank you!
