Organizers for the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s Community Youth Resource Centre (CYRC) are making plans for their annual summer cultural camp later this month.
The camp, which usually features between 25-30 kids between the ages of 10 and 18, will take place in August on the southeast shore of Amisk Lake. The camp will include several instructional courses on outdoor knowledge, including hunting and trapping basics, gun safety, recognizing signs, outdoor cooking and more. Older students, typically ages 18 and up, will serve as mentors and counsellors while some outside help is brought in for instruction.
“We’ve been running this camp for at least seven years,” said Loretta McDermott, director of the CYRC.
“The camp is a connection where we build relations with the youth. This is basically our fun outing.”
McDermott said the goals of the camp match up with the goals of the Friendship Centre itself –to provide assistance to those who may need it while remaining a steadfast advocate for Indigenous culture and tradition.
“When I think about the Friendship Center, it’s kind of like a hub for surrounding communities. They help direct people and if we can’t help them, we direct them to the resources they need,”she said.
The CYRC is still looking to raise funds for the camp. A recent fundraiser at Pioneer Square provided some assistance, but more funds are still needed to run the camp. McDermott put the overall cost of the camp at between $3,000 and $4,000.
“We’re going to fundraisers to go toward the rental, food and any other monies we need,”she said.
Anyone interested in donating to the camp or participating can call the Friendship Centre at 204-687-3900.
