Building skills, changing lives. Christie Lake Kids offers recreational and skill development programs at no cost to economically disadvantaged children
“Economically disadvantaged children compared to their middle-class Peers are far less likely to have the opportunity to participate In organized (coached) sports or receive instruction in the arts. One is hard-pressed to think of any other domain in Canadian children’s lives where participation is so class-linked: middle class children have the opportunities for participation,
poor children do not. Lack of participation and accomplishment in these skill areas not only lowers life quality during childhood but decreases life chances in adulthood.”
Late Dr. Dan Offord, Executive Director of the Offord Centre for Child Studies and Christie Lake Camp Director for 47 years.
There is an epidemic of social exclusion in Ontario. Too many young people have limited opportunities to achieve their full potential. Economically disadvantaged children and youth face unprecedented barriers to participation in skill-building programs in recreation, camping, sports and the arts. These barriers are being erected by many factors: chronic poverty, rising user fees, and lack of investment and cutbacks in arts and recreation resources to name a few.
Access to skill-building programs are a fundamental need for young people; essential to social, emotional and physical well being.
Numerous studies support this belief, showing that children and youth with access to programs like those offered by Christie Lake Kids have better school attendance, get better grades, reduced rates of anti-social behaviour and have improved social and interpersonal abilities.
Christie Lake Kids.
400 Coventry Rd.
Ottawa ON K1K 2C7
Tel: 613-742-6922
Fax: 613-742-6944
[email protected]
Charitable Registration Number # 13278 4471 RR0001
