(L-R top) Parker Vockeroth, MARCOM Coordinator with Youth HQ; Les Waite, BGC Program Manager; Rob Lewis, Youth HQ Executive Director. (L-R bottom) Canada Post retail clerks Dana Davis and Karla Huff; Local Area Manager Jill Brodersen, and Lead Hand Patricia Le. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Community Foundation

Canada Post donates $18,250 to Red Deer’s Camp Alexo program for youth

Oct 19, 2023 | 3:33 PM

BGC of Red Deer & District and Youth HQ received a grand cheque of $18,250 on Thursday from the Canada Post Community Foundation to put towards their camp program.

At the Canada Post Red Deer Station (6010 67A St.), retail clerks Karla Huff, Dana Davis, and Lead Hand Patricia Le presented the donation, alongside side a plaque of the Foundation’s annual stamp, designed for the campaign.

“They are the ones that did all of the work for it. They did bake sales, they asked customers, they did everything for it. They donated their personal time, when they cooked and baked, it was all for them, so that they could raise money for the Community Foundation. So, I am very very tickled and proud,” said Jill Brodersen, Local Area Manager at Canada Post.

BGC Program Manager Les Waite says the funds will support the Phoenix Adventure Program and other Camp Alexo programs in 2024.

The Camp runs a variety of programs for all ages, based on adventure, discovery, and play in group settings where children and youth can develop healthy relationships in a safe and unique nature setting.

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“Grants like this helps us continue to run our Camp Alexo programs and ensure that we help more kids in our community make lasting memories” he said.

Phoenix Adventure Camp, running since the 1990s, is designed for teens looking to try new things, gain skills in outdoor pursuits, and build lifelong friendships. During the ten-day camp, youths will get to pick two four-day long expeditions of their choice, from canoeing in the North Saskatchewan River, backpacking and camping in the Bighorn Backcountry, horseback riding in the Hummingbird Area, cycling, and other educational opportunities in the Rocky Mountains.

“Phoenix is an extraordinary opportunity for young adults to develop leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills,” said Charles Penfold, Camp Alexo Counselor. “This grant will allow so many youths to experience Camp Alexo.”

Waite says the funds will help them open more spots in the program, purchase equipment like paddles, canoes, helmets, and bikes to reduce barriers for youths wanting to join, and keep fees low for families.

“Being a past camper, I know that it was a safe space and place to go. There’s lots of kids who feel it’s their place to go in the summer where they may not feel as safe and having as much fun as some other spaces that they’re in,” said Waite.

He says the camp is important to the community as it offers youth the opportunity to learn life skills and “to build and be themselves; to not put up those walls and barriers that you sometimes do in life.”

“Some kids have sports, some kids have band, there’s a lot that camp is their thing,” he said.

He adds that over half of the campers are repeats, with many later moving into the Junior Counselor Program in camp leadership roles, like he did.

“Just a true testament to what the program does for individuals and gives people a chance to experience and realize dreams that they may otherwise not have had,” said Rob Lewis, Executive Director of Youth HQ, in recognition of Waite’s 25 years with the organization.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Camp Alexo returned in a limited capacity in 2022. Youth HQ officials say 2023 saw the camp reopen at full capacity with much success. The Camp Alexo team is currently planning the 2024 season, with registration opening later this year.

The Canada Post Community Foundation has granted over $12 million to 1,100 community projects across the country since 2012. Each city station raises money in various ways, including through stamp booklet sales, during the month-long campaign in May. Funds remain within the provinces and are redistributed to organizations through an application process.

The Red Deer Station raised $3,925 this year.

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