Ness Lake Bible Camp wants to bottle the enthusiasm and can the obstacles for children getting summer recreation.
The camp is holding its annual bottle drive to raise funds for its sponsorship program to cover the cost for families who can't otherwise afford to take part in a summer camp. To sweeten the donation, the Nechako Bottle Depot will instantly double the amount contributed by the public.
"If you bring in a can worth five cents, it's actually worth 10 cents. It adds up very fast, and it means kids who wouldn't normally be able to go to camp can actually afford it," said Dave Horton, the camp's program director.
Over the years, the sponsorship fund has allowed anywhere from 15 to 30 kids per summer to have sessions at the camp. The more money in the fund, the more subsidies they can provide to financially strapped families.
"It is our policy, and always has been, that no kid will be turned down from camp because of money. We will find a way to get your kid here, no matter what your financial need," said Horton.
On New Year's Day it looked like there might not be a summer camp at all. One of the camp's main buildings - the gym, climbing wall and recreation centre - burned to the ground that night.
However, community support poured in and Horton said this year's summer camp will not only go ahead, it will be better than any prior year.
"We will have way more to offer than we have ever had before. It was super encouraging to see how much Prince George feels ownership of NLBC," he said.
The gym was rebuilt and doubled in size. The climbing wall was rebuilt. The recreation centre was re-tooled. A grassy sports field was installed outside for the first time. The dining hall next door was renovated. Many of the surrounding buildings got some refurbishing, too, all thanks to the abundance of effort and money donated to the organization.
They also have a new camp director. The position had been filled on an interim basis since before the fire by local resident Andrew Milton, who has experience and training in camp operations and construction.
"He has the background for everything Ness Lake needs right now," Horton said.
The bottle drive for the sponsorship fund happens Saturday.
For more information on the fundraising or the ways financially challenged kids can get a spot at Ness Lake Bible Camp this summer, call 250-612-4673.
