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Upcoming Events
February 10, 9:00 am -Summer Camp Registration Opens
Virtual Summer Camps
February 9, 6:00 pm -Valentine's Day Craft
February 23, 6:00 pm -Camp He Ho Ha: Scavenger Hunt
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Message from the Executive Director |
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy, and ready to come out of a long two-year hibernation.
The decision to cancel all 2020 and 2021 camps for Albertans with special needs at Camp Health, Hope & Happiness was personally the most difficult decision I have ever made in the 25 years at Camp He Ho Ha. Today, we are optimistically moving forward with a return to a normal summer camp program. Is this an optimistic approach? Yes, as there are still barriers to making overnight programs run at our facility as they did pre-pandemic. However, we know how important these opportunities are for our participants and their families – for this reason, we will leave no stone unturned to have campers experience the magic of Camp He Ho Ha once again!
Things at Camp He Ho Ha look much different than they did pre-pandemic. Our offices are currently much quieter than normal. Different departments are running on reduced hours due to government restrictions and consumer confidence affecting all aspects of our operations.
Currently, we are running our facility rental program under the government's Restriction Exemption Program. As excited as we are for the opportunity to get staff back to work, and share our beautiful facility with the public, group numbers are down, while some groups are simply choosing not to attend. We are hopeful that public confidence in attending retreats stabilizes one day soon.
Our organization has worked extremely hard over the past two years to ensure Camp He Ho Ha is financially secure into the future. We continue to make the tough decisions of cost-cutting to minimize the financial impact until our business is up and running again. Unfortunately, every revenue stream that we count on has declined (fundraisers, rental revenues, private and corporate donations, etc) drastically for the past two years.
And while we have experienced challenges, we are already looking forward to having campers back with us for summer 2022!
Our online virtual programs for Albertans with special needs continue at no cost to attendees. We are grateful for your ongoing support to make these special gatherings possible for our campers.
If you can contribute, please consider donating to our organization today. More than ever your financial support is required to ensure the future of Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle is secure into the 2022 summer camping season and beyond.
Wishing you health, wellness, peace, and the return of a more connected 2022!
With Gratitude,
Greg Nielsen
Executive Director
Camp Health, Hope & Happiness
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Every single donation makes a difference in helping change lives and empowers people of all abilities at Camp Health, Hope & Happiness. The incredible work we do is only possible because of donors like you. With your support, we can offer top-quality overnight and virtual summer camp programs for individuals with special needs!
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Rentals guests from the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569 with Chef Adam at their retreat at Camp He Ho Ha
September 2021
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Welcome Back Rentals Groups |
After 18 months of distribution in our otherwise very busy facility rentals calendar, we are proud and grateful that our facility rentals are back open for business.
We have already welcomed a few guests to experience the top-quality Camp He Ho Ha service.
In a traditional year, our facilities rentals program is one of our main revenue streams. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to run the program for most of 2020 and 2021. Finally, we have eased back into group rentals with increased health and safety measures to keep you all safely coming to Camp.
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We are continuing virtual camp programs until we can all be back together running in-person camps. Programs are hosted twice monthly and include arts & crafts, skit night performances, counsellor punishments, a relaxed chill & chat, games, dance parties, and more.
To uplift our campers and help them feel more connected, these online camps are provided free of charge. After 21 months these programs are still making a real difference, and for many, they are the highlight of their week. Campers are socializing, making friends, and enjoying fun activities.
In another year when we could not run in-person programs, we are grateful for the ability to remain connected and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities through technology.
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End of Season for the 2021 Virtual Swing FORE Camp Golf Challenge |
Last Spring we challenged our camp supporters to golf 10 rounds of golf in honour of our 10 summer camp programs.
Thank you to all our event participants for your support! Thank you golfers for your participation and efforts to raise money for Camp He Ho Ha.
Congratulations to George Van De Walle the winner of the $500 gift card for The Ranch Golf Club. We hope you enjoy your prize and thank you for supporting Camp He Ho Ha.
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Join our Camper Email Club! |
Are you curious about summer camp registration?
Do you want to get all the big announcements for summer camp programs?
Do you want to be invited to the next virtual camps?
When you join the camper email club you'll get invites to all our virtual summer camps, and hear about big announcements, special events, upcoming camps, and camp registration dates.
Sign up below for all the updates on summer camp and summer camp programs.
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Gearing up for a Return to Summer Camp 2022 |
It may winter outside, but the staff at Camp He Ho Ha are busy preparing for a return to summer camp in 2022. As we enter another summer camp planning phase, we find ourselves in the same situation as the past 2 years - uncertain if we will once again be able to gather and enjoy activities and friendships at Camp He Ho Ha.
Camp has missed hearing laughter ring off the walls, Counsellors have missed planning activities and experiencing life-changing moments, and Campers have missed the thrills of adventure and warmth of inclusion.
After two quiet summers, we couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of having everyone back at camp. Will the busses be back this season? Sadly we don't know at this time, but we sure hope so!
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Now Hiring Summer Camp Staff |
Are you or someone you know looking for summer employment? You could join our team of enthusiastic camp counsellors.
Each summer we employ post-secondary students from across Canada to provide personal care, programming and medical care to our campers. Our elite team of counsellors receive competitive compensation, a dining and lodging package, extensive on-site training, and more!
We give you all the information and unique skills required to succeed.
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Parkland County Helps Offset Overhead Costs |
Camp He Ho Ha was successful in our application to Parkland County to receive a grant for $6,000 to reimburse a small percentage of our 2020 overhead costs. In challenging financial times like we have experienced these last 2 years these grants mean even more.
Thank you Parkland County for your generous support!
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Edmonton Community Foundation Supports Essential Septic Upgrades |
The Edmonton Community Foundation is joining a small group of other funders to help Camp perform some essential upgrades to our on-site water treatment plant.
The plant is used to safely treat and process water before and after drinking, cooking, laundry, bathing/showering, toileting, and in the pool. Ensuring Camp’s water plant is operating effectively and sustainably is critical to all our operations and keeps all our campers and visitors safe.
Thank you Edmonton Community Foundation for your generous gift of $14,900 to support this project!
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We encourage you to check out St. Andrew's United Church Thrift Shop. Their profits support community organizations like Camp He Ho Ha.
St. Andrew's United Church Thrift Shop
219 Church Road
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 2K3
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St Andrew's United Church Thrift Shop Comes Through for Camp |
The volunteers and staff at At. Andrew's United Church Thrift Shop are an exceptionally community-minded group. They have always considered Camp when making donations back to their community and this fall/winter they went above expectations!
After a successful request to fund essential upgrades to our water treatment facility (project to begin in Winter/Spring 2022) they had additional money in their donation account and asked Camp if there was something else they could support. We were humbled and overjoyed to receive additional funding to upgrade ageing technology and audio/visual equipment for our summer camp programs.
Thank you so much St. Andrew's United Church Thrift Shop for your exceptional generosity!
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St Albert ACT/UCT Delivers a Gift for the Holidays |
Members of the ACT/ UCT St. Albert chapter met with Executive Director, Greg Nielsen and Retired Director of Donor Relations, Joan Nielsen at the St. Albert Inn on December 15, 2021, to deliver a generous contribution to Camp.
Thank you ACT/UCT St. Albert for your kind contribution of $5,000 to Camp Health, Hope & Happiness.
The ACT/UCT #1024 have been long-time friends and supporters of Camp. We are grateful for the support you have given us for 25 years and we look forward to our continued partnership.
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Greg and Joan Nielsen with ACT/UCT members: Alan & Loree Bibe, Shirley & Gerry Folwark, and Dale Sharples |
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Pat Hale from the Royal Canadian Legion #256 Stony Plain, with Joan Nielsen and Greg Nielsen |
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Royal Canadian Legion #256 Stony Plain Brings a Welcome Donation to Camp |
In January 2022 Camp met with donors from the Royal Canadian Legion #256 Ladies Auxiliary Stony Plain.
Together we shared updates and anticipation for the future of Campers back at Camp He Ho Ha.
Thank you for a great visit and thank you to all the #256 Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary members for your generous support. Your long-standing support has helped make Camp possible for individuals with special needs for decades.
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NOW BOOKING
Facility Rentals
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Our facility rentals program is BACK and BOOKING groups.
Book your next conference, meeting, retreat, getaway, workshop, wedding, or family reunion at our fully modern, wheelchair-accessible facility. Enjoy our heated buildings, spacious accommodation, comfortable meeting rooms, home-cooked meals, and our wide range of recreational opportunities.
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Did you Know?
A portion of the revenues generated from this program assist in funding individuals with special needs to attend the summer programs provided at Camp.
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To decrease costs and overhead until camps resume, staffing hours are still being reduced. If you need to reach our offices, it is easiest to do so by email.
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2021 was a challenging year for many. With that in mind, we are even more grateful for the donations we received from you, our incredible supporters.
Your generosity allows children and adults with disabilities from across Alberta to experience the magic of summer camp. With your support, we continued providing inclusive programs throughout 2021. Our semi-monthly virtual camps kept campers engaged, helped them meet and connect with friends, develop confidence, and enjoy very fulfilling lives!
For our campers, your gift of support makes a difference in ways you and I could never imagine.
Thank you donors! Words aren't enough to express our gratitude. We are so very appreciative of your generosity.
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Experiencing inclusion and unconditional love is a gift only someone like you can provide. Countless individuals with disabilities look forward to Camp He Ho Ha and coming back to a place where they are loved, respected, and their disability 'melts away.' |
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CAMP HE HO HA
Box 182, Seba Beach, AB
T0E 2B0
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