As summer approaches, 10-year-old Santiago is counting down the days to summer camp.

Three years ago, Santiago and his family came to Canada from Colombia. During their first summer in Gatineau, Que., they connected with their local Salvation Army community and family services department. Santiago’s mom, Shirley, learned about summer camp but was nervous to send her youngest away.

“Santiago was excited to go,” says Shirley. “He loved camp and can’t wait to go back. When he heard he could go again, he couldn’t wait.”

Decades of Serving
The Salvation Army’s summer camp in Quebec is located on the shores of magnificent Lac l’Achigan in the Laurentians. The camp, which The Salvation Army owns and operates, has served the population of Quebec since 1933. Themed weeks include adventure camps and moms-and-tots camp.

“The lake was my favourite part—canoeing and paddle boating,” Santiago says. “I made lots of new friends—some spoke Spanish like I did. And twice, my friends and I won the trophy for the cleanest table. That made me really happy.”

For decades, The Salvation Army has provided weeklong and day camps for children. Last year, more than 4,000 children attended Canadian Salvation Army summer camps.