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They formed the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club in May 2018 and achieved incorporation as a not-for-profit with charitable tax status by October 2019.
To date, the group has raised $95,000 towards the purchase price despite the significant obstacles to fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s a lot of good places in Windsor-Essex that are very interested in youth,” Poupard said. “Tapping into those places is one of the key things we plan on doing but a lot of companies and foundations that we would have gone to for sponsorships have had to cut back.”
According to terms of the deal, the purchase must be completed by October.
“The main thing people need to know is this is a one-shot deal, if it’s gone, it’s gone,” Poupard said. “It’s a good investment for our kids. One of our main goals is to keep it as affordable as we possibly can.”
Camp Bryerswood was established in 1992 to offer Girl Guides an opportunity for outdoor recreation, leadership and environmental awareness. The camp has three buildings, five cabins and a number of tent sites. There is a pond, an archery range, a picnic pavilion and space for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The group has applied for several grants to help with a long-term development plan, a marketing campaign and fundraising efforts.
Pandemic restrictions limited the group to holding a one-week virtual camp last summer.
Poupard said the group is hopeful it will be able to hold an in-person summer camp this year or, if not, hold day camps at various locations within Essex County.
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