A Unique March Break Camp for Children in Poverty

Regent Park, located in downtown Toronto, is recognized as having the highest concentration of child poverty in Toronto’s north-west. To give the children a boost and help them escape the pressures of home, The Salvation Army’s March break camp provides them with a weekend away and activity-filled days in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.

“The Salvation Army in Regent Park has run March break camps since 2005,” says Brianne Zelinsky, youth coordinator. “Every year, we take youth from our after-school program out of the neighbourhood for a weekend away at our Jackson’s Point Camp on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Here, they enjoy the outdoors, good food and lots of fun.”

“Children living in poverty have heavy weights to carry and are under extreme pressure to grow up quickly.”

Zelinsky says that many who attend the camp come from difficult situations such as generational poverty, crime and addiction. Their families often live in sub-standard and overcrowded housing and rely on government assistance and Salvation Army social services to help with their basic needs.

Since 1904, The Salvation Army has provided many services to the residents of Regent Park that include meal programs, a food bank and family services, after-school clubs and March break camps.

“Children living in poverty have heavy weights to carry and are under extreme pressure to grow up quickly,” says Zelinsky. “We want camp to be a place where they can play, be silly and have fun. The children and leaders often refer to our March break camp as a family vacation.”

Camp activities include crafts, tubing, hiking, watching movies and an annual pillow fight. Warm, healthy meals are also provided which, for many of the children, is not always a reality.

“For many, living in Regent Park is about day-to-day survival. We want camp to be refreshing and unforgettable.”

“For many, living in Regent Park is about day-to-day survival,” says Zelinsky. “We want camp to be refreshing and unforgettable. We want the children to know they have a network of people who support them and a God who loves them. That’s important to us.”