BGC Gander NL

08/25/2026

☀️💙 ANOTHER BGC GANDER SUMMER FOR THE BOOKS 💙☀️

Somehow, another summer has flown by.

For weeks our Club has been filled with busy mornings, backpacks and water bottles, swimming days, bus adventures, outdoor play, crafts, games, laughter, friendships, tired feet and a whole lot of memories being made.

Summer at BGC Gander is never just about keeping children busy while school is out.

It’s about the child who arrives a little unsure and leaves with a new best friend. It’s about trying something for the first time. It’s about laughing until your belly hurts, cheering each other on, learning to be part of a team and having a place where you know you belong.

And none of it happens without the people who make up our Club community.

To our summer staff — thank you for the energy, patience, care and heart you gave our children. There were long days and busy days, but you kept showing up and giving our kids experiences they will remember long after summer is over.

One of the most special things about BGC Gander is watching young people grow up within these walls and then seeing some of them come back as staff and become the leaders our younger children now look up to. Watching that circle continue is something we will never take for granted.

To Lori — thank you for everything that happens before the doors open, after the children go home and in all the moments in between. So much of what keeps our Club going happens quietly behind the scenes, and it matters.

To our children — you are the reason for all of it. Thank you for the hugs, the stories, the questions, the silliness, the adventures and the laughter that filled our Club all summer long. We hope you leave this summer with some pretty great memories.

To our families — thank you for trusting us with the people who mean the most to you. Thank you for your patience on busy mornings, for getting everyone packed and out the door, for supporting our activities and adventures, and for continuing to make BGC Gander part of your family’s story.

To our funders, partners, businesses and community supporters — whether you helped us employ a young person, get a bus on the road, provide an experience, support a program or lend a hand when we needed one, you helped make this summer possible. Thank you for continuing to believe in what we do for children and youth in our community.

And now comes the part that is always a little bittersweet.

Some of our summer staff will head back to school and university, some will move on to new opportunities, and some familiar faces will stay with us as we get ready to welcome our after-school kids back through the doors.

No matter where you go from here, we hope you take a little piece of BGC Gander with you.

Another summer is almost in the books. The sunscreen will get put away, the buses will make their final trips and the Club will get a little quieter for a few days.

But the friendships, growth and memories made here this summer?

Those get to stay. 💙

Thank you for another summer, BGC Gander.

Next stop… After School 2026–27!

08/17/2026

☀️ MORE THAN A SUMMER JOB ☀️

This summer, employment funding helped BGC Gander welcome eight young people to our team—each bringing energy, creativity and care to our programs.

Through the Government of Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs program, Shelby Newhook, Janelle Peckford, Brady Chaulk-Goodyear and Emily Collins gained meaningful experience as Summer Camp Leaders while helping create a safe, welcoming and memorable summer for our Club children.

Larkin Kean and Charli-Lynn Green joined our team through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Summer Employment Program for Students.

Jack Lynch’s position was supported through the Summer Camp Inclusion Grant from the Department of Social Supports and Well-Being, helping us provide welcoming and inclusive experiences for every child.

Julia Paulson returned for her third summer through the Youth Summer Employment Program, funded under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program and delivered through Qalipu First Nation. Julia’s role brought Indigenous learning, culture and perspectives into our programming.

These opportunities can become the beginning of something much bigger. Executive Director Brenda Paul and Program Coordinator Lori Elliott both began their BGC Gander journeys through grant-funded employment opportunities. Their stories remind us that where someone begins does not limit where they can go.

We extend a heartfelt thank-you to our entire staff team for the energy, patience and care they bring to the Club each day. Thank you as well to our parents and caregivers for trusting us with your children and for continuing to support BGC Gander and our programs.

We are also grateful to our funding partners for helping us provide meaningful employment opportunities while creating an unforgettable summer for our Club children.

Different opportunities. One incredible team. One shared purpose—the children of BGC Gander. 💙

08/15/2026

07/31/2026

BGC Gander Summer Camp- Week Six Calender

07/31/2026

A huge thank you to Gander Bread Box and Sunset Manor for being our first two sponsors. Your contribution allows us to continue to have amazing adventures.

07/22/2026

🚍 OUR BUS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! 💙

At BGC Gander, we believe every child deserves more than a traditional day camp.

Our summer camp is the only one in our community that offers weekly out-of-town adventures. Every week our campers explore museums, beaches, parks, splash pads, and other exciting destinations that many children may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

For many years, transportation funding covered most of these costs. This year, that funding was reduced by 50%, and rising transportation costs mean we can currently fund only 3 of our 9 planned bus adventures.

We're asking our community to help keep these unforgettable experiences available for local children.

Every donation—large or small—helps keep our bus on the road.

❤️ Thank you for helping make summer memories that last a lifetime.