For families on a limited budget, summer camp is not always an option, unless some form of subsidy is available.

As West Shore co-ordinator of community club programs for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria, Krista Hagstrom knows this as well as anyone. She also knows that for some children, participating in organized summer activities can be one of the best ways to keep them away from negative influences.

As part of her duties, Hagstrom has overseen Boys and Girls ClubB次元官网网址檚 summer camp in Metchosin the past few years. ItB次元官网网址檚 what she calls a B次元官网网址渟pecialty day camp,B次元官网网址� with rock climbing, canoeing and archery among the activities offered.

B次元官网网址淚t is really hard for families over the summer, because these camps really add up,B次元官网网址� she says.

Ordinarily the Summer Adventure Camp runs $200 per week for children five to eight or nine through 12. ThatB次元官网网址檚 on the upper end of affordability for some families, especially since the camp doesnB次元官网网址檛 qualify for child-care subsidies. But thanks to funding through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program, more children and youth have been able to participate, Hagstrom says.

B次元官网网址淲e were able to send about 30 kids to (the camp) last year,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲e typically approach families on the West Shore who we know could use the support. ItB次元官网网址檚 great when we can say B次元官网网址榳e know so and so might really enjoy this camp.B次元官网网址� Families are just so thankful to be given that kind of opportunity.B次元官网网址�

The funding, raised through Jumpstart Day at area Canadian Tire stores B次元官网网址� May 31 this year B次元官网网址� and other fundraising events undertaken by the Greater Victoria Jumpstart committee, is also put toward other Boys and Girls Club programs, Hagstrom says.

They include after-school programs, where children are picked up from schools around the region, including Sangster, David Cameron and Millstream elementaries and Spencer middle school, and driven to the outdoor centre in Metchosin.

B次元官网网址淎ll the research points to kids being most vulnerable between 3 and 6 p.m.B次元官网网址� she says of the hours after school and before parents get home from work.

B次元官网网址淥ur youth are facing conditions of risk. Any child can be at risk because of peer pressure and we definitely engage our more vulnerable children.B次元官网网址�

View Royal Canadian Tire franchisee Kim Reynhoudt says while donations collected from customers on national Jumpstart Day are important, even more so is bringing in the community partners for the public to meet and hear about their programs.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e found that creating more awareness in the community was more important than raising funds on that day,B次元官网网址� he says.

The Greater Victoria group donates a substantial amount of money to the local campaign through the year through various events and activities, Reynhoudt adds.

Langford store franchisee Tim Currie said his staff really get behind the campaign, decorating the store windows with thousands of little Jumpstart posters, emblematic of $2 donations from customers.

B次元官网网址淎ll that money goes right back into the community, to soccer clubs and ball clubs to help any child who is trying to get involved (but whose family may not be able to afford it),B次元官网网址� he says.

For more on Boys and Girls ClubB次元官网网址檚 Metchosin summer camps, visit and click on camps for kids and teens.

For more information on Jumpstart, visit or stop by your local store.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com