YMCA Calgary has launched the final phase of ‘Love, Camp,’ a bold $17 million fundraising campaign dedicated to securing the future of Camp Chief Hector. With $12.4 million already raised, thanks to the support from community donors and government grants, the final $4.6 million push is now underway, inviting the public to help sustain the camp’s legacy for generations to come.
For 95 years, Camp Chief Hector YMCA, located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, has provided transformative outdoor experiences, fostering confidence, leadership, and resilience in youth. With pressing upgrades needed to enhance accessibility, extend the camping season, and revitalize key infrastructure, this final fundraising phase is crucial to ensuring the camp can continue serving thousands of children and youth from across the province every year.
“Every donation and every shared story from the community will make a difference in ensuring Camp Chief Hector remains a place where young people can grow, build confidence, and create lasting memories,” said Shannon Doram, President & CEO of YMCA Calgary. “These funds will directly support staff and camper experiences, increased capacity, and a more inclusive environment where every child, regardless of background or ability, can experience the magic of camp.”
At Camp Chief Hector, unplugged play is central to the camp experience. In an increasingly digital world, the camp offers a refuge where young people can disconnect from technology, engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions, and take healthy risks in a supportive environment as they grow into capable adults.
So far, YMCA Calgary has used the funds raised to date to make significant improvements to Camp Chief Hector infrastructure, with a focus on prioritizing inclusion, safety, and sustainability. These updates include new multi-season accommodations, state-of-the-art high ropes and low ropes challenge courses, staff housing, and universal washrooms. The final fundraising component of Love, Camp will contribute to additional strategic renovations, including the refurbishment of traditional Tipi structures in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
“Camp Chief Hector is more than just a summer retreat. It’s a place of growth, adventure, and connection that has shaped my own family and many others for generations. Since the 1930s, it has created opportunities for campers to step outside their comfort zones, develop life-changing skills, and forge lifelong friendships,” says Lachlin McKinnon, a second-generation camp alumnus and current camper parent. “Supporting this campaign is my way of giving back to the camp that has given my family so much, ensuring it continues to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.”
As the Love, Camp campaign enters its final stretch, YMCA Calgary is calling on the public to get involved. Every contribution, big or small, can be considered an investment in nurturing the development of today’s youth as they become the next generation of leaders. To donate to Love, Camp or learn more, visit www.welovecamp.ca.