Christie Lake Kids

At Christie Lake Kids, we believe the experience of growing up in poverty should not define a person or limit their potential.

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For more than 100 years, Christie Lake Kids has offered programming to Ottawa's most vulnerable children and youth. What started as a summer camp for at-risk boys turned into year-round programming to the low-income girls and boys in Ottawa, giving them the chance to learn physical, character and social skills in a safe, encouraging, inclusive environment.

More than 600 kids from Ottawa's low-income families attend free after-school and weekend programs like Art, Music, STEM, and Hockey within city community centres, and spend two weeks every year at Christie Lake Camp. All of our programs are offered free of charge with all supplies and transportation included!

Our staff and volunteers provide outreach throughout the year, surrounding children with support - teaching, encouraging and inspiring.

PROGRAMS

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WAYS TO GIVE

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EVENTS

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WISH LIST

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RENT OUR CAMP

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Esther

I have been with Christie Lake Kids for 13 years - a camper for 5 years, STAR and Leaders in Training participant, then as a camp counsellor and STAR volunteer.

I feel like I have a unique perspective and first-hand knowledge of the barriers that poverty creates, and I can be a strong example to the children in our programs, motivating them to have the confidence, resilience and strength to pursue their dreams.

I’ve accumulated more than one thousand hours of volunteerism and still counting!

“Christie Lake Kids means a lot to many of us: we call it a safe place and some even call it home. The lifelong relationships I have built with the caring staff and volunteers mean so much to me and I continue to lean on these mentors as I figure out my own future.”

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