Camp Jude Wraps Up Successful First Summer

September 22, 2022, Medicine Hat, AB: The YMCA of Medicine Hat's Camp Jude has wrapped up a successful first season. Camp Jude is an innovative trauma-informed day camp specifically designed to support children ages 5-12 who would otherwise be unable to attend traditional summer programming. Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with most noticing a big difference in their children.

"We had seventeen children join us this summer who would have had nowhere else to go if Camp Jude hadn’t been there for them," says Victoria Potter, Director of Community Programs. "Through Camp Jude, we have seen children develop new skills, have fun, and build friendships that will continue throughout the year."

Camp Jude was made possible through YMCA Canada’s Innovation Grant, which provided $50,000 to pilot the program in Medicine Hat. Camp Jude is the first program of its kind to be offered at Canadian YMCAs. Once the summer data has been fully analyzed, the YMCA of Medicine Hat will share their learnings nationally in hopes that other YMCAs across the country will offer similar trauma-informed day camps in their communities.

"The international YMCA movement has a long history of innovation, and the YMCA of Medicine Hat is proud to contribute to that legacy. We hope to see a time in the future when trauma-informed programs are as common as group swimming lessons are today," says Sharon Hayward, CEO.