Expansion plans unveiled for Brigadoon Village on Aylesford Lake

News
Published

Original article posted by Saltwire | Posted: Oct. 28, 2021, 9:50 a.m. | Updated: Oct. 28, 2021, 1 p.m.

AYLESFORD, N.S. — Canada’s largest not-for-profit pediatric medical camp is getting set to expand in Aylesford.

Brigadoon Village recently launched its Shine On! capital campaign with a goal of raising $12.5 million.

“Brigadoon is that special, safe and exceptionally fun place children living with chronic Illness can go to meet and spend time with others who ‘get them’,” said Anne McGuire, chair of the board. “They don’t need to explain how they look, what they eat or the medicines they take. At Brigadoon, no one cares about that. It’s just kids being kids, and what could be better than that?”

Thanks to donations from generous donors, Brigadoon has already raised $10.9 million towards its goal.

The camp is now asking the community to join it on the Shine On journey to raise the remaining funds by Feb. 1 in time to welcome campers back to the expanded facility.

“The demand for space and service at Brigadoon has grown dramatically since we opened our doors almost a decade ago,” said Scott Flemming, campaign co-chair. “The community has been incredibly supportive of Brigadoon over the years and for that, we are so grateful. We are asking through our Shine On! campaign for us all to come together again to raise funds to build a bigger Brigadoon providing more children with the chance to shine on. They’re counting on us, and we’re counting on you.”

Brigadoon Village delivers year-round camp programming to children, youth, and families living with health conditions or other life challenges in Atlantic Canada. – Dave & Pring Photography

Funds raised will allow the camp to host more children and provide enhanced accommodations for medical staff. They will also provide new experiences for campers to gain confidence, independence, and resilience, such as an outdoor kitchen, a new arts and culture centre with pottery kiln, a high ropes course, a giant swing, a climbing tower, and additional stairs waterfront activities and many other features.

“Brigadoon is my home away from home,” says Eva McDougall, a 13-year-old Brigadoon camper and a Grade 8 student at Sackville Heights Junior High School. “I’ve been going for about four years, and every year I have an incredible time and make tons of new friends; people who understand me and how hard it can be to have epilepsy. Making more space for campers is incredible because it means Brigadoon can give other kids the strength and confidence that it gave me.”

Brigadoon Village, which is located on Aylesford Lake, delivers year-round camp programming to children, youth, and families living with health conditions or other life challenges in Atlantic Canada. Brigadoon receives no government funding for its annual operations and 85 per cent of campers require financial support to attend the camps.