Spring 2026
Summer: A Season for Practise
Summer changes the rhythm of family life. School routines pause, schedules open up, and youth naturally spend more time at home with fewer structured activities. For many parents, this shift can feel like a challenge—but it is also one of the most valuable windows for growth.
At Moorelands Kids, we believe development happens through practise. Not only in structured environments, but in the everyday moments where habits are formed and qualities are shaped.
Summer creates space for youth to practice the qualities that shape long-term growth: initiative, responsibility, creativity, resilience, and independence. These are not built through instruction alone, but through lived experience—in how they use their time, make choices without direction, solve problems, and take ownership of small responsibilities.
This might look like planning their own day, finding creative ways to stay engaged, or completing tasks without constant reminders. These everyday moments matter more than they often appear to.
Importantly, this does not mean removing structure altogether. Youth still need rhythm and boundaries. But summer offers an opportunity to shift the balance—to allow more room for decision-making, problem-solving, and leading within age-appropriate freedom.
Summer offers families a unique chance to slow down and create space for these habits to strengthen in everyday life. Youth begin to experience what it means to make choices, follow through, adapt, and learn from outcomes. Over time, this is how confidence and character are formed.
At Moorelands Kids, we often say that qualities are built through repetition, not instruction. Summer creates space for that repetition to happen in the rhythm of everyday moments—through simple choices, responsibilities, and experiences at home and in the community.
The goal is not a highly structured summer or an unstructured one, but an intentional one—where youth are given the opportunity to practice who they are becoming through real-life experiences and growing independence.
MOORELANDS YOUTH COUNCIL: YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
The Moorelands Youth Council brings together youth from our City Programs and Camp, creating a space where they take an active role in shaping and supporting community engagement opportunities throughout the year. This year, the group helped organize and lead a trivia night event with our Alumni community, bringing together participants for an evening of connection, learning, and shared experience.
Through initiatives like this, youth step into leadership roles, contribute ideas, and work collaboratively to create meaningful opportunities for engagement. These experiences allow members to practice communication, teamwork, and responsibility in real settings, while contributing to positive experiences for others in the community.
Alongside their involvement in Alumni engagement opportunities, the Youth Council provides an ongoing space for collaboration and shared input. Members bring their perspectives and ideas forward, helping to strengthen how engagement opportunities are shaped and delivered.
STORIES OF IMPACT AT MOORELANDS CAMP
A CONFIDENT & PROUD LEADER
“The first week at camp, I was nervous, but I became more confident at Project DIVE. I was proud of myself to receive the John Shelly Leadership Board.”– Lilly, new Moorelands Camper, 2025
Lilly strives to be a good role model during MAPs (Moorelands Activity Picks) by helping younger campers when they need it. She was encouraged to try new things, an important leadership skill. In 2025, she tried canoeing for the first time and had a great time. canoeing for the first time in the summer of 2025 and had a great time. “We raced, which I had never tried before, and I really enjoyed it,” she says.
ACCEPTING CHALLENGES BY CHOICE
“Moorelands provides you with fun activities and pushes you to do things you don’t normally do–it’s a challenge by choice. Moorelands Matters because… it teaches you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and you also make more friends.” – Brandon, returning Moorelands Camper 2025
SERVE, TRANSFORM, EXCEL, PRACTISE (STEP)
Whisker has been attending Moorelands Camp for the last six years and in 2025, joined as a high-school program participant in STEP. “As a younger camper, I always looked up to the leaders, thinking they were so cool and knowledgeable. Now, as part of STEP, I have the opportunity to do the same for others, stepping up the ladder at Moorelands!”
“The canoe trip is a three-day adventure, and I can confirm that there will be many challenges along the way— but it’s all part of the experience! These challenges really help you develop your skills, and build strong relationships.” –Whisker, returning Moorelands Camper, STEP 2025
INTENTIONAL LEARNING—FROM CAMP TO SCHOOL COMMUNITIES
“The importance of the Habits & Qualities is to make sure everyone is safe, and that no one feels bad about themselves or like they don’t belong.”– Mike, Moorelands Camper 2025
“I practised caring by helping others when they needed assistance, and if they asked for something politely, I would provide them with what they needed. I also focused on considering and understanding others by being aware of when people felt down and actively listening to their plans,” says Mike.
…and that’s WHY MOORELANDS MATTERS!
INTRODUCING JOIN MY JOURNEY
Join My Journey (JMJ) is our refreshed approach to the Send A Kid to Camp campaign. Through JMJ, kids, a.k.a. ‘Moorelanders,’ share their stories and take you along on their year-round journey of transformative growth.
From summer at camp to the school year, these stories highlight the ongoing impact of our programs and show how kids continue to learn, build confidence, and grow over time
WATCH MOORELANDERS SHARE THEIR JOURNEY IN THEIR OWN WORDS…
BUILDING BOB’S LEGACY: OPENING THE DOOR TO CAMP FOR EVERY CHILD
When Bob reflected on his childhood, one wish stayed with him throughout his life: the chance to go to camp.
Growing up in Scotland with limited means, Bob dreamed of escaping the city for the countryside—a place where he could swim, paddle a canoe, explore the outdoors, and simply be a kid alongside others his age. But like many children facing financial barriers, that opportunity was out of reach.
Decades later, Bob chose to change that story for others.
In one of his final conversations with his close friend, Gerry, Bob shared a vision to ensure that children who grow up facing similar challenges would have the chance he never did- to experience camp in the summer. He sowed the seed for change with a vision to build a positive pathway for kids living in poverty, and we are so grateful to Gerry for having researched and recommending Moorelands Kids to Bob as a charity of choice. Through Bob’s legacy gift, he helped lay the foundation to build a future where more children can experience the confidence, connection and joy made possible through Moorelands Camp.
Today, that vision is helping to lay the groundwork for the next chapter at Moorelands Camp. As we prepare to rebuild and reimagine the camp experience, Bob’s story reminds us why this work matters. He wasn’t just supporting a building project – he was helping to build a community.
Bob believed in creating opportunities- in opening doors. In making sure no child is left behind because of financial circumstances.
That mission is more important than ever. As the cost of living continues to rise, more families are facing difficult choices. At Moorelands Camp, all spots qualify for financial assistance, and eligible families (based on the number in the family and income under $80K) can access various levels of financial support for their kids to attend.
Bob’s legacy speaks directly to this growing need. It reflects a deep understanding of how transformative a single opportunity can be and how powerful it is to pass that opportunity on.
In many ways, Bob was a builder. Not in the traditional sense, but in the way he brought people together, shared his love of history with so many stories, and created lasting connections. Today, his legacy helps us build something just as meaningful: a place where children can grow, belong, and thrive.
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for Bob, for his vision, and for the lasting impact he will have on generations of campers to come.
Because of Bob, more kids will have the chance to experience camp.
And that is a legacy worth building on.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MOORELANDS CITY PROGRAMS!
This year, City Clubs continued creating meaningful opportunities for children and youth to learn, grow and succeed. We were excited to welcome one new school community and expand programming from two semesters to three, allowing us to reach and support even more young people throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who supported our city programs this year—your support has helped make another impactful year possible!
BEHIND EVERY MEANINGFUL MOMENT IN OUR PROGRAMS IS A FOUNDATION OF WORK THAT OFTEN GOES UNSEEN…
Moorelands Kids depends on vital behind-the-scenes efforts to make our programs possible, from curriculum development and research to outreach, marketing and fundraising. This work ensures we can deliver high-quality, impactful leadership opportunities for the children and youth we serve.
In a time when the charitable sector continues to face rising costs and limited resources, investing in this work is crucial. The Resilient Kids Fund supports these essential efforts so that programs can continue to run smoothly, helping every child grow, build confidence and develop leadership skills. We invite you to support these essential operational needs.
…THAT’S WHY MOORELANDS MATTERS!
Connect with us!
Moorelands Kids shares updates about our programs, teams and fundraising efforts. Follow @moorelandskids to stay in the loop! You can also subscribe to our email updates by clicking the button below.
251 Consumers Road Suite 601, Toronto, Ontario M2J4R3
Phone: 416.466.9987
moorelands.ca
Charitable Registration #
11923 0241 RR0001
