SUPPORT OUR MISSION

When you make a gift to Camp Kidston, you help enrich the lives of children and youth throughout our community. The growth, learning, friendships, and fun that campers experience cannot happen without your generosity.

The Wilson Chill Mission

Our Kids Are Hot. Like, Really, Really Hot.
We Need Your Help to Chill Out!

Hey, amazing camp friends, alumni, and generous folks!

Remember those perfect summer days at camp? The smell of pine, the sound of laughter... and
the feeling of your t-shirt sticking to your back playing “Capture the Flag” up in the ball field?

In 2025, "hot" hit a whole new level. We battled unprecedented heat, drought, and dusty conditions, and a summer that felt less like an escape and more like a sauna. Our wonderful,
historic Wilson Hall—the heart of our camp activities—simply couldn't cope.

This Giving Tuesday, we're not asking for bells and whistles. We're asking for Air Conditioning.

The Cold, Hard Truth (and the Project)

The Problem: Camp Kidston becomes SWELTERING by mid-day. When temperatures spike, our campers lose focus, get cranky, and are at risk of heat exhaustion. It’s no fun, and it’s not safe, for campers or staff. Climate change isn’t slowing down; we need to invest in a cooler future.

The Solution: We're installing an energy-efficient Heat Pump. This is the superhero of climate control:
- It provides A/C (glorious cold air!) for those blazing summer scorchers.
- It offers Heating for cooler shoulder season events.
- It's a smart, sustainable investment in the next 20 years of camp life.

The Goal: We need $6,000 in cash to purchase and professionally install one unit by next summer. This won’t do all of Wilson, nor the kitchen or staff quarters, but it will create a cooling station for days when it’s just not safe or fun to be outside mid-day.

Why Your Donation is Cool (And Critical)

Donation Level*

The Perk

The Impact

$25 & $50

The "Sweat Stopper"

Gets you a mental gold star for saving us from another dusty, dry summer.

Funds the necessary wiring for the unit.

$75

The "Dust Buster"

You can imagine all of the high-fives that relieved counsellors are giving you.

Contributes to the mounting hardware and piping.

$100

The "Chill Champion"

Kitchen staff will have a place to take a
little break from the heat, which is so
amplified in the cooking quarters.

Covers a crucial portion of the installer's labour.

$500

"Climate Control Royalty"

You (or your camper) will get a special,
air-conditioned photo-op next summer
(maybe with a popsicle.)

Buys a major, irreplaceable component of the Heat Pump Unit.

$1000

The "Wilson Whisperer"

One week in 2026 will named a special "Cooling Hour" next summer in your
honour.

Buys one-sixth of the entire system! Game changer!

*Of course, we gratefully receive any amount that is right for you.

Future Forecast: A Climate-Resilient Camp

This isn't just a temporary fix; it's an investment in the future. With a dedicated cooling station in Wilson Hall, we are preparing for a world where:

Safety is paramount: We can move all campers inside for a safe "cooling break" during extreme heat warnings.

Programs thrive: Kids can actually focus on crafts, lessons, and games without the distraction of being drenched in sweat.

The camp is utilized year-round: The heat pump extends the useful season of Wilson Hall for spring and fall retreats!

Don't let our kids melt away next summer! Be the hero who brought the breeze.

One More Raisin Reason

Sure, we have a lake! The lake is lovely, but our programs run all day. We can’t keep the kids
submerged all day. They'd come out looking like human raisins. Wilson Hall needs A/C, not a prune farm!

How to Donate:

E-transfer to admin@campkidston.com is the fastest, easiest, and we receive 100% of your gift. Cheque, or credit card via Canada Helps, are other options; see below for details.

THANK YOU!

There are many ways to share your gifts and skills:

Cash Donations - Individuals and Families

E-Transfer your donation to: admin@campkidston.com Please include a message that says it's a donation and if applicable, include the campaign name or your preferred use/purpose
Cheque: Pop in the mail to PO Box 48011, Mill Cove PO, Bedford, NS B4A 3Z2 Or, we can pick it up! Reach out to lclements@campkidston.com or cassandra@campkidston.com to arrange collection.
Donate via our Canada Helps page below or read more on our Canada Helps Charity Profile here. (Note: a small portion of your donation will go toward administrative costs of using this tool.)
United Way - Are you already giving at the office? Designate "Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp" (#895391241RR0001) when you make a workplace or one-time online donation.

Gratefully accepted year-round! Follow us on social media for our Giving Tuesday (November) campaign and other opportunities to match corporate donations.

All donations of and over $75 are tax deductible! Receipts will be issued.

Finally, consider making a bequest in your will. Did you know that Kidston was created thanks to a bequest from one person - Arthur Kidston - 60 years ago? Since then, his gift has enriched thousands of young people!

Cash Donations - Businesses, Foundations and other Organizations

Cash Donations - As above, we gratefully accept e-transfers, cheques or online payments via Canada Helps. (tax receipts provided)
Camper Sponsorships - Many organizations like to donate to Camp Kidston by providing sponsored camp spaces for deserving children who otherwise could not afford to attend camp. These are $850/camp week/camper.

We will want to say a special thank-you! Reach out to Board Vice-chair cassandra@campkidston.com to discuss how we can partner or appropriately communicate your generosity.

The Gift of your Time:

Join us for our On-site Work Parties held each Spring and Fall
Volunteer as a Committee Lead or Member - currently we have a need for fundraiser coordinators and grant writers
Volunteer as a Board Member - Fall is the best time to join the Board for proper onboarding but we welcome a start at anytime that suits you.

Participate in Our Fundraisers!

Coming this winter: Church Supper! Check back for details and watch our socials
Coming Back Soon: Join Lawton's/Sobey's MHCSI Pharmacy Program, which earns you savings and special discounts, and in 2019 helped us raise more than $5,000 for Kidston programs! (Lawton's donates $2/prescription.)
There are many other ideas for fundraisers - swag sales, trunk sales, 50/50 draws, bingos etc., but currently we're in need of a volunteer to lead one or more of these. Reach out if you can help out with a one-time or ongoing fundraising program.

Gifts in Kind:

Donate program supplies (arts and crafts supplies in bulk, sports and outdoor games equipment)
Donate equipment. Moving or down-sizing? We regularly need to replace equipment such as weed whackers, BBQs, night tables and mattresses for staff house etc.
Other: Have a canoe, kayak or sailboat that needs a new home? Maybe we need it! Watch our socials as well for any requests for building materials or other miscellaneous needs
Note: there are specific CRA tax rules around providing receipts for large donations and it may not always be possible. We're happy to discuss this with you.

Donation Form from Canada Helps (embed)

"The seed ye sow, another reaps … " P.B. Shelley

2026 Partners

Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp