The anticipation of leaving for summer camp grows as Kyla Gearo walks her kids through a list of everything they’ll need in preparation for their five-day adventure.

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As each day passes, her kids grow increasingly more excited as the reality of getting to go to Camp Arnes sets in — a reality Gearo didn’t think was possible before help from the Sunshine Fund.

With the help of Free Press readers, the Sunshine Fund has been able to send children to camps across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario for 46 summers and sent 681 kids to camp in 2025.

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“I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without it, that’s for sure,” said Gearo.

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She said the summer camp — located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg — costs $700 per child and the subsidy from Sunshine Fund meant she only had to pay $300.

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Gearo said she found out about the Sunshine Fund from a neighbour who was also able to send her kids to Camp Arnes through the program.

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Her kids have always wanted to go to camp and they have lots of family and friends who go every summer that are adding to their excitement.

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“They’re getting my kids hyped up and talking about how much fun they’re going to have,” said Gearo.

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She said her nieces and nephews have been telling them about all the activities at the summer camp and they’ve been talking about it with friends at school who have gone, adding to the buzz in the household.

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The camp has activities like ziplining, archery, high ropes, canoeing, laser tag and an indoor pool.

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Her 11-year-old son Ocean is obsessed with soccer and is looking forward to playing with other kids when he gets to camp in August.

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And her eight-year-old daughter Lake is mostly excited to spend the week with friends who she was able to get a spot with.

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Gearo said her kids often spend time inside playing video games and she’s excited for them to be outside with nature and form new friendships.

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Gearo said she also attended Camp Arnes when she was little along with her sister.

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“I remember doing a lot of the activities and it’s a great opportunity for any kid to get to go to camp,” she said.

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Gearo’s mom was a single mother like herself and could only afford to send her for one summer. She said it means a lot for her to be able to do this for her kids and have the opportunity to send them in the future with the Sunshine Fund.

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This will also be the longest she’s ever been away from her kids but knows that they’ll have the amazing experience she had when she went to the summer camp.

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“I’m kind of nervous but I know they’re in good hands,” she said.

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Gearo said she plans to continue to apply for the Sunshine Fund to keep sending her kids to camp and make lasting memories.

The equestrian life is not often easily accessible, but for Leelan and Foster Palendat, their dreams of horseback riding comes true every summer.

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Amber Palendat has been able to send her two youngest to camp due to the Sunshine Fund.

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The mother of three described the ability to send her sons to camp as a blessing — an opportunity that otherwise would have been hard to achieve.

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“I’m a single parent, working full time without any help,” she explained. “I would have made it happen, but would be in debt for how long trying to pay it off.”

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Instead, 14-year-old Leelan and nine-year-old Foster are given a week of their dreams once a year at Circle Square Ranch thanks to generous donors.

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“There’s horseback riding, wall climbing — all sorts of activities,” Palendat said. “They don’t otherwise do activities like that.”

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Palendat found out about the Sunshine Fund while registering Leelan and Foster for their first summer of camp. A worker from Circle Square Ranch told her about this opportunity if she was in need of financial assistance.

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“I checked out their website, applied for it, (and) I met the credentials. It helped mentally,” she added.

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The process only took 10 minutes of Palendat’s time, which is crucial for a single mother where time is precious. The financial burden that it lifted off her shoulders was extremely beneficial.

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“The last two years it covered every single dollar. This year I believe all together for both boys (it was) under $200 — which is amazing compared to the $1,000 it would have been,” she said.

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The first year Leelan and Foster went was nerve racking for the whole family. But they returned with the biggest smiles their mother had ever seen.

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“The first words out of my older son’s mouth when they (returned) was, ‘I cannot wait to go back next year,’” Palendat said. And thanks to the Sunshine Fund, they will be returning for their third year this summer.

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“I went to Circle Square Ranch as a young girl. I was only able to go one year but it stuck with me all of my life. I just wished to be able to give my kids the same sort of experience,” Palendat added.

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And, while it’s natural for a parent to worry when sending their child off for a week away from home, Palendat knows that her two boys are taken care of.

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“The people at Circle Square Ranch are so great and they communicate well,” she said. “The kids, they’re comfortable and feel respected and safe. It’s just such a safe environment for them.”

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Foster had trouble leaving home the first year but is now counting down the days until he can return.

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The camp also aligns with Palendat’s religious beliefs, which has been eye-opening for her children.

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“It’s been so important,” she said about having camp teach them about Christianity. “As a single mom, I’m doing it on my own so just that extra support and those other perspectives for my boys… It’s been a blessing for us.”

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Leelan and Foster are also able to make friendships that have lasted past the six days they spend at camp and continue to meet new friends every year. And the boys are also able to keep in touch with the friends they make.

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“They’ve had friendships that have lasted these few years and quite possibly long term life friends,” Palendat said.

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“Just having this taken off of the financial load of every year and being able to give the boys an opportunity like that — it’s something that people don’t even understand how amazing it is.”