During the summer months, EGADZ runs a camp at Wakaw Lake, giving youth a unique experience in the outdoors they otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience.
Day and night camps have been offered at Wakaw since 2012. During the pandemic, the camp became a retreat for the youth as more measures were put in place, helping to minimize mental health challenges and stress. The camp allowed the youth to escape to Wakaw and regain a sense of normalcy.
Youth involved in EGADZ programming have the opportunity to gain employment experience helping to maintain the Wakaw Lake Camp property. Three youth receive full-time employment throughout the summer months, ensuring that the camp grounds are kept up to allow all the programs to enjoy it fully. Their duties include grass cutting, wood chopping, cleaning, and building maintenance. Workers can also develop new skills as special projects come up, such as building a deck, putting together a playground, staining and fixing walkways, and tearing down old trees.
While performing the work, the youth learn leadership skills, teamwork and the responsibility in the workforce, allowing them to successfully obtain employment within the community. In addition to the manual labour they perform, youth are taught resume writing skills and run through practice interviews in a comfortable atmosphere. The full-time Wakaw maintenance leader also helps ensure the youth have all necessary documentation in order to work full-time.
The needs of children, youth and their families are the primary focus in the design and delivery of our programs and services.
