(Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Camp Alexo receives $10,000 donation from Direct Energy

Sep 18, 2024 | 5:04 PM

Camp Alexo, the well-known summer camp operated by Red Deer-based Youth HQ, has received a donation from Direct Energy worth $10,000.

The contribution, which is the company’s fourth in as many years, will pay for around 35-45 registration fees during summer 2025.

The camp, located between Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House, began in 1984 and serves around 400 disadvantaged children each summer.

“Youth HQ has always had a strong belief in the value of a summer camp experience, and what it brings to each child,” says John Johnston, community engagement manager, Youth HQ. “Our mandate is that regardless of a family’s financial ability to pay, that every child deserves an opportunity to go to summer camp.”

Johnston also praised Direct Energy, and puts out the call to other companies to help them keep Camp Alexo going well into the future.

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At Camp Alexo, campers get the opportunity to experience a great deal of activities, develop lifelong skills, and make new friends.

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For families who hope to utilize one of the registration bursaries, they can apply for Youth HQ’s campership fund. The fund also allows for free transportation to camp from Innisfail and Red Deer for families who need it.

On top of the $10,000, Direct Energy contributed two days of on-site volunteering doing campsite restoration and winter preparation.

Dan Smith, Direct Energy’s director of marketing, says the company strongly encourages volunteerism among its workers.

Smith says there are a number of things they appreciate about Camp Alexo.

“First is the programming that Camp Alexo provides which allows more opportunity for kids to get outdoors, which may seem like the antithesis of an electricity company, but we do love it,” says Smith.

“We’ve also got about 15 employees here staining fences and doing a bunch of wood clean-up — things to clean up camp after a long summer. It’s a team activity and we love to give back to the area.”

Registration for Camp Alexo spots in 2025 opens in December.

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