How Summer Camp Supports Immigrants and Refugees in Burnaby

In a town where more than 50 percent of the residents are immigrants or refugees, The Salvation Army’s Summer Adventure Club Camp in Burnaby, B.C., offers a safe place where children can have fun and learn life skills, and families have one less thing to worry about.

“Burnaby equals diversity,” says Captain Lorri-Anne Mitchell of The Salvation Army. “Camp is a way we can support families. We have many children who come that don’t speak English. Some suffer from cultural shock. Others battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“There are many heart-wrenching stories, and we want to provide people with some hope.”

In 2018, when Mitchell and her husband came to pastor the Army’s Harvest Community Church in Burnaby, they researched after-school programs for their children only to discover that there was a two-to-three year wait list. To fill in a gap, the church developed a service that is open to the whole community and has since led to their Summer Adventure Club Camp.

“While we provided a licenced daycare throughout the school year, we wondered how working parents provided for their children in the summertime,” says Mitchell. “Summer Adventure Club is a seven-week camp. There is a fee, which is negotiable for those who struggle to make ends meet.”

Camp activities include sports, arts and crafts and Bible lessons. While children have fun and feel safe, they build trust and connection.

“The needs of the families in Burnaby are diverse and huge.”

“We are always looking for ways to support the families in our community,” says Mitchell. “There are many heart-wrenching stories, and we want to provide people with some hope.

“The needs of the families in Burnaby are diverse and huge. At summer camp we want to help build life skills, create community, develop future leaders and teach them how to give back.”

By Linda Leigh