A Year of Gratitude
With each passing year, the gifts we receive continue to have an incredible impact on the lives of people living with disabilities and medical conditions. The 2023 camp year was no exception.
From the pathways, to the outdoor activities and everything in between, there’s no part of Easter Seals Camp Horizon that hasn’t been influenced by philanthropic support. YOU made camp possible for the more than 470 campers that attended Camp Horizon this summer.
Your support continues to change the lives of both new and seasoned campers alike!
Maddy, one of our new campers this year, looked forward to socializing with kids her own age after years of medical treatments kept her from school. Because of this summer, Maddy was able to find a supportive community and can’t wait to go back next year!
“The independence, for Maddy, to engage in activities catered to different kids [is so important]. As parents it can be difficult to find programming that supports her. And the funding makes a big difference,” says Jessica, Maddy’s mom. “It gave us all a break – from each other and the appointments.”
We are excited to welcome Maddy back next year! Read Maddy’s story and how your support has made an impact here.
2023 Camp Highlights
This year, campers ranged from age 7 all the way up to age 73!
Our campers enjoyed an incredible 55,000 hours of programming (116 hours per camper!), fueling confidence, independence and friendships.
The top five reported favorite activities this summer? Braving the high ropes, playing in the splash park, dressing up for the banquet and dancing the night away, honing their skills in archery and the singing along with new friends by the camp fire!
In order to keep everyone motivated, our kitchen served more than 13,000 snacks this season. The most common item orphaned at camp is, as always, the single sock. The first thing our campers ask to do is unpack at their bunk, followed by finding their friends and meeting their counselors. Then they spend the morning filling their counselors in on ALL their memories from camp years past.
It takes a village to provide this extraordinary experience, and we are grateful for all our supporters, including the nearly 300 volunteers and 45 staff members that took time out of their spring and summer to make camp as memorable as possible!
Thank to you to our incredible supporters who made this summer possible, including but not limited to:
• Anonymous Donors
• Archer’s Antiques
• Associated Canadian Travellers
• ATB Corporate Financial Services
• BC & Alberta Guide Dogs
• Breathe Outdoors
• Canadian Remarketing Group
• Century 21 Kids to Camp Program, including members Ciaran O’Neil, John McNeil, Deborah Clark, James Mabey, Jeffrey LeBlanc, Julie Vesuwalla, Ralph Sears, Geneva Tetreault, Robert McIntyre, Diana McIntyre, Miranda Freedman, and Brent Anderson
• Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS)
• Donations made in memory of Tara Sandgathe
• Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
• Mr. & Mrs. James F. Burns Senior Family Designated Fund at The Calgary Foundation
• Gatzsch Family Foundation
• Government of Alberta – Alberta Jobs Now Program
• Government of Alberta Community Initiative Program (CIP) Grant
• Government of Canada – Canada Summer Jobs Program
• Great Outdoor Comedy Festival
• JC Anderson Family Foundation
• JC Anderson Memorial Golf Tournament
• Kinsmen Club of Calgary
• Larlyn Property Management
• Megan Hately Legacy Fund at The Calgary Foundation
• Norreen Baker Fund at the Calgary Foundation
• Nutrien Inc.
• Pieridae Energy
• RBC
• Stampede City RV, Boat & Motorcycle Storage
• TC Energy
• The Sorensen Family and IB Jensen Masonry Ltd
• Watson Family Foundation at the Calgary Foundation
• We Care Canada
• Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada