Newsletter | Spring 2022
Donate Now
We need your support more than ever! We are working hard to bring back a sense of normality into the lives of our campers who count on the week at Camp. To our campers it means unlocking adventure, community, friendship, and independence; to their families it means respite, knowing their loved ones will be safe, loved, and well taken care of.

Please consider making a difference today by giving what you can. Hundreds of individuals with mental and physical disabilities are counting on you and me to make their dreams come true once again.
Message from the Executive Director
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones enjoying the spring weather and embracing post-pandemic freedoms. Most importantly, I hope you are taking advantage of the ability to reconnect with those important people in your life.

As much as the seasons are changing, at Camp Health, Hope & Happiness on Lake Isle the message feels all too familiar around here these days. Another summer camp season was cancelled due to staffing shortages. Although over five hundred campers registered in early March eager to return to their home away from home, we received very few staff applications. Unfortunately amid lingering pandemic concerns, many post-secondary students were hesitant to experience the magic of working with Albertans with disabilities at Camp He Ho Ha this summer.

As a result, we do our best to remain positive. We have begun planning for our 2023 season and continue running our online virtual programs for Albertans with special needs at no cost to those who attend. If you have donated in 2022, thank you! We are grateful for your ongoing support that makes these special gatherings possible for our campers.

Wishing you health, wellness, peace, and the return of a more connected 2022.
With Gratitude,
Greg Nielsen
Executive Director
Camp Health, Hope & Happiness
Get your tickets to the Camrose Chase the Ace Raffle Benefiting Camp He Ho Ha
From April 21st to May 4th Camp He Ho Ha will be receiving proceeds from the Chase the Ace Raffle organized by the Camrose Service Clubs Group.
You can win 20% of ticket sales and the progressive jackpot (currently over $9,000), and Camp will receive a donation equivalent to 20% of ticket sales.

We would like to thank the Camrose Service Clubs Group and all member groups including:
  • Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #70
  • Camrose Royal Purple Lodge #49
  • Camrose Swans & Roses Lions Club
  • Kinette Club of Camrose
  • Kinsmen Club of Camrose
  • Rotary Club of Camrose
  • Rotary Club of Camrose Daybreak
Thank you for supporting Camp He Ho Ha through this raffle program.
A 'Cool' Gift from Civic Service Union 52 Benelovent Soceity
Fun and treats are an important part of the summer camp experience. This is why Civic Service Union 52 made a gift to Camp of a Frozen drink machine to keep our campers cool and refreshed.

The frozen drink machine will be deeply appreciated by our campers. it will allow them to practice independence (self-service) as they enjoy a special treat (to celebrate an accomplishment or just because).

A big thank you to Union 52 for your kind and thoughtful donation.
Support the Shoot For Cause 3D Archery Tournament and Fundraiser
After a 2 year hiatus, the Shoot For Cause 3D Archery Tournament and fundraiser is back.

On May 6-8 we invite you to join us and archers from across western Canada to enjoy camaraderie and sport with friends new and old. The family-friendly weekend will be packed with fun and archery for competitive and non-competitive archers of all experiences and abilities!

Collect donations and earn a free all-inclusive archery weekend. Join the campaign and get started today.
Central Agencies Inc. Celebrates a Milestone by Giving Back to Camp He Ho Ha
Central Agencies had their humble beginnings around Norm and Betty Mayer’s dining room table almost 60 years ago. Not only have they been providing excellent services to their community, but they continue to “give back” to their community.

Visiting with Norm and Betty is truly a delightful experience! Their passion, generosity, integrity and honesty are so uplifting! For many years Camp He Ho Ha has been the recipient of Norm and Betty’s generosity, and we are so grateful!

“Thank You” - the phrase is simple and the words are few, but behind them lies a world of appreciation. Special people like you make the world a better place.
Norm & Betty Mayer of Central Agencies Inc. with Joan and Greg Nielsen presenting Camp with a donation
Realtors Community Foundation announces Camp He Ho Ha as a Flagship Charity at 'THE BIG Give 2022'
On March 25, 2022, the REALTORS® Community Foundation held their annual ‘THE BIG Give’ event and announced that Camp He Ho Ha was selected as one of their Flagship Charities! Being a flagship charity is a huge honour! This support is a commitment to give Camp an annual gift of $20,000 for three years, totalling $60,000.

A big camp He Ho Ha thank you to the REALTORS® Community Foundation Edmonton for their generous support of Camp He Ho Ha and for selecting us as a Flagship Charity.

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!
95th Anniversary celebration of Royal Purple Edmonton Lodge #22 and cheque presentation to Camp He Ho Ha.
Royal Purple Edmonton Celebrates 95th anniversary with gift to Camp
Congratulations to the Royal Purple Edmonton Lodge #22 on their 95th Anniversary! What a milestone for a non-profit society!

Thank you to the Royal Purple Edmonton Lodge #22 members for choosing Camp Health, Hope & Happiness as your charity of choice and the recipient of an incredible Anniversary donation of $9,500.00!

This group of individuals has been a “champion” of Camp for decades, and we are so grateful for their ongoing support of children with disabilities who attend Camp's programs. Special people like you make such a difference in so many lives, and your support means the world to so many!
NOW BOOKING
Facility Rentals
Our facility rentals program is BACK and BOOKING groups now and throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

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.

We can help you plan a stay designed to meet all aspects of your group’s needs! Check out more information on our Facilities Rentals Program.
Did you Know?
Incomes from Camp's Facility Rentals Program significantly offset Camp's operating costs. Furthermore, a portion of the revenues generated from this program assist in funding individuals with special needs to attend the summer programs provided at Camp He Ho Ha.
Join our Camper Email Club!
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 more.
Sign up below for all the updates on Camp He Ho Ha summer camp and summer camp programs.
Virtual Camps Continue
We are continuing virtual camp programs. Programs are hosted in the evenings and include arts & crafts, skit night performances, counsellor punishments, a relaxed chill & chat, games, dance parties, and more.

Virtual Camps are provided free of charge to make a real difference. The regular social activities help participants feel more connected, and for many, they are the highlight of their week.

We hope to see you (or your camper) at our next virtual camp!
Sad news for Summer Camp 2022
Due to a critical worker shortage, it is with broken hearts that we announce that all overnight 2022 summer camp programs have been cancelled. We know that this announcement causes much sadness and disappointment for our campers and their families, and we feel that sadness with you.

Over the last several months staff applications were a mere fraction of our standard numbers. In hopes that we would still be able to run our programs this summer, we adopted many strategies to increase recruitment and even delayed making this decision as long as possible. Sadly, although we had a handful of excellent applicants, we simply cannot run our programs without adequate staffing.

Our commitment to our Camp community is to do everything we can to be together again in 2023. We are already planning staffing for next summer and taking steps to ensure we can see all our campers again.

We will continue to host online “virtual summer camp” programs to continually engage the people with disabilities that we so deeply care about. We hope to see you in 2023 for our in-person camps and until then we will see you online.
Out of the Office
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.

Thank you Annual Campaign Donors
It’s no secret the past two years have been exhausting while we wait for our lives to “return to normal”. Many of us are feeling the economic pinch, and it makes it difficult to wrap our heads around supporting charitable causes when struggling to take care of our own basic needs. With all these challenges, we have still received generous gifts from kind Albertans to support people with disabilities at Camp He Ho Ha.

As much as the world has changed, one thing I am grateful is unchanged are the kind hearts of Albertans who have forever supported people with disabilities at Camp He Ho Ha.

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.
Experiencing inclusion and unconditional love is a gift only someone like you can provide. Hundreds of 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.'