Bridges Summer Camp: Connecting Families, Children & Community

TFA Canada has a one-month summer camp designed to support children from newcomer and immigrant families in Calgary. Many immigrant families face unique challenges during the summer months when children are out of school. Due to the high cost of traditional summer camps, lack of extended family support networks, and the need for parents to work long hours to meet basic living needs, children are often left at home alone at young age. This creates significant risks of isolation, unsafe environments, and missed opportunities for healthy social, emotional and cultural development. This camp addresses these challenges by providing a safe, affordable, and inclusive space for newcomer children to connect, learn, and grow. The camp will operate as a drop-in program, making it flexible and accessible for families who may not be able to commit to long-term structured camps. Activities will include culturally responsive arts and crafts, storytelling, music, team-building games, and resilience-building workshops that emphasize friendship, belonging, and healthy social interactions.

This initiative will be delivered in collaboration with Youth Central, a local nonprofit that connects young people to community service opportunities. These youth will gain leadership experience, mentorship, and transferable skills, while giving back to the community by engaging with younger children. The camp will also be supported by trained staff from TFA Canada, ensuring strong program coordination, cultural sensitivity, and the integration of our broader mission of family resilience and healthy relationships. The program is designed to achieve multiple outcomes. The children will experience a safe and engaging summer, with isolation reduced, resilience built, and social belonging fostered. The parents will experience peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe environment, reducing stress, improving mental health and supporting their ability to maintain employment. The youth volunteers will develop leadership skills, mentorship, and meaningful community engagement. The benefit for the community is stronger connections across immigrant families, and wider community, contributing to a supportive and resilient social fabric in Calgary.

By bridging gaps in childcare access, addressing risks of isolation, and fostering intercultural connection, this summer camp embodies TFA Canada’s mandate of equipping families with tools for resilience while building a supportive community.

The primary beneficiaries of this project are newcomer and immigrant families in Calgary, especially their children who are at risk of isolation during the summer months. Many immigrant parents work long hours in survival jobs, often with limited financial resources and without extended family networks to rely on for childcare. As a result, children, sometimes at very young ages, are left at home alone, which not only exposes them to safety risks but also contributes to feelings of loneliness, disconnection, and missed opportunities for social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

This summer camp will provide a safe, engaging, and culturally inclusive space where children ages 5–13 can interact with peers, build friendships, and develop resilience through structured activities, arts, games, and learning experiences. By participating in age-appropriate programming, children will not only have fun but also strengthen their social skills, self-confidence, and sense of belonging in the community.

Parents will also benefit, as the camp provides them with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe, cared for, and positively engaged while they work. This reduces parental stress and strengthens family stability, as parents are able to meet their financial obligations without the constant worry of leaving their children unattended.

Another key group of beneficiaries are at-risk youth volunteers provided by Youth Central. These youth will gain meaningful opportunities for community service, skill-building, and leadership development by supporting camp delivery under the supervision of TFA Canada staff and volunteers. This intergenerational model fosters mentorship, giving youth the chance to contribute to their community while learning teamwork, responsibility, and relationship skills.

The wider community also benefits from this initiative by fostering greater inclusivity, resilience, and connection among immigrant families. By addressing the gap in affordable and culturally responsive summer programming, the camp reduces isolation, promotes equity, and builds stronger bridges between newcomer families and the broader Calgary community.

In summary, this project supports children, empowers parents, engages youth volunteers, and strengthens the entire community.