Seven summer camp initiatives awarded crime prevention funding

August 24, 2015

WHITEHORSE—Seven First Nation governments, municipalities and community organizations are sharing $80,000 in funding from the Crime Prevention Victim Services Trust Fund. The funding has been awarded to summer camp projects with themes pertaining to adventure, wellness, life skills, arts and culture, science and literacy.

“These camps aim to develop healthy lifestyles and leadership skills through learning and active living opportunities,” Minister of Justice Brad Cathers said. “Crime prevention starts with youth who are active, engaged and community-minded, and these programs help to build those capacities.”

The funding recipients are: Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin Government, Village of Teslin, the Northern Cultural Expressions Society, the Yukon Youth Outdoor Leadership Association, the Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon, and Skookum Jim Friendship Centre.

The Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Fund is awarded twice a year for eligible projects that are intended to: reduce crime; prevent violence against women and children; address the root causes of crime; provide services and information to victims of crime; or provide information about crime prevention and victimization.

“Marginalized and at-risk youth often lack opportunities to participate in engaging, challenging, and meaningful recreational activities. Not having these opportunities puts them at greater risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of crimes,” Yukon Youth Outdoor Leadership Association president James Roddick said. “The Crime Prevention Victim Services Trust Fund is critical in helping to create opportunities for these youth to become engaged in activities that are safe, structured, and promote the development of positive character.”

The fund has supported Yukon community groups since 1998. Proposals are reviewed by the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Fund Board of Trustees. Board members include community members and representatives from the Yukon government, First Nations, women’s organizations and the RCMP.

Learn more:
Crime Prevention Victim Services Trust Fund or call 867-667-8746 (toll free
1-800-661-0408, extension 8746).

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See list of recipients below.

Contact:

Dan MacDonald
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
dan.macdonald@gov.yk.ca

Tyler Plaunt
Communications, Justice
867-667-3221
tyler.plaunt@gov.yk.ca

Crime Prevention Victim Services Trust Fund – Spring 2015 Funding Recipients

Northern Cultural Expressions Society – $9,800 for Summer Cultural Camps. These culture camps for at-risk youth feature activities pertaining to wellness support, life skills, wilderness therapy, First Nations culture and other outdoor activities.Contact:
Colin Teramura, 867-633-4186

The Yukon Youth Outdoor Leadership Association – $12,653 for their Youth Leadership Project. The project offers summer camp opportunities for at-risk youth, ages 12-18, with an adventure focus including rock climbing, mountain biking and canoeing.
Contact: James Roddick, 867-334-4878

Village of Teslin – $10,000 for Youth Summer Recreation Camps. Summer camp activities for children, ages 6-16, including circus camp, dance camp, science camp and swimming lessons.
Contact: Mary Anne Keating, 867-390-2530

Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon – $6,000 for Dawson City Literacy Camp. This two-week camp will see 12 children, ages 6-9, who have been identified as requiring literacy support, receive literacy tutoring and participate in wilderness skills training.
Contact: Stephanie Hammond, 867-668-5167

Skookum Jim Friendship Centre – $13,868 for Yukon Youth Rediscovery Camps. Several camps will be offered based on the Rediscovery International Model, including 13-day camps for at-risk youth, six week-long summer camps, five weekend camps over the fall and winter months and two week-long camps over the 2016 March break.
Contact: Teagan Lee, 867-633-7683

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in – $12,500 for Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Summer Camp. This three-month, half-day summer camp for 12 at-risk youth, ages 8-13, will include trips to the Tombstone Interpretive Centre and other traditional sites. Participants will learn a variety of skills and will also spend time with community elders.
Contact: Ashley Doiron, 867-993-7100, extension 161

Vuntut Gwitchin Government – $16,195 for End of Summer Camp. This six-day camp at a traditional gathering place near Old Crow will feature physical education activities, games focusing on leadership development, traditional values and skills, youth development, health and wellness and community building for 30 youth, ages 6-18.
Contact: Lindsay Johnston, 867-966-3261, extension 275

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