Thank you for volunteering to help camp-out and raise $500,000 to aid the housing crisis in Attawapiskat and around James Bay. Click here to be added to a special mailing list just for campers. I will forward you regular updates about the campout and facts about the state of emergency and housing crisis, and how together we can be part of the solution.
But, right now, you need some details about what you’re about to do.
The “official” campout itself will begin March 14th at 2:00pm and run until March 16th at 4:00pm. That’s 50 hours camping outside, in the cold. Brrrr.
Each one of us will be looking for people to sponsor us for every hour we are camping. If we each find 100 sponsors at $1.00 per hour, that is $5000.00. Sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t – and you are going to have a lot of support from me, the people we are working with “Payukotayno Housing authority”, The Barnes Management Group”, local and national media, and service groups all across Canada.
Any donations received will be tax-deductable. So no-worries, everyone that needs a receipt will get one. Cheques should be made payable to “Payukotayno” (That is the name of the charity we are partnering with to build the homes)
Online donations will be accepted as well. The web-guy is just setting up a brand new site to accept donations/sponsorship for the camp-out. It should be up and running within the next week.
Camping
Ok… so for the campout itself. Here’s what you need to know.
If you are under 18 like me, I highly recommend you have an adult camp with you. I will be sending you a form for your parents to sign that will say something like “I allow my child __________ to camp out and understand that I will be responsible for them. “ If an adult can’t stay over with you, you need to know that me or my parents can’t be responsible if anything happens. Not that anything will happen, but I hope you know what I mean.
The police have been great, and they make sure to check on us throughout the night.
Niagara Area Campers:
(skip down to the next part if you are too far to camp in Niagara Falls)
If you are in Niagara Falls, or can get here easily, I will be camping at CAMPARKRESORTS on Lundy’s Lane. It’s an awesome spot and the owners have been really great. You are invited to set up your tent there with me there. There is a small $10.00 fee for the campsite, but if you raise over $500.00 in sponsorships we will pay that for you.
We are looking to have food, tents, entertainment and firewood donated. BUT, plan on supplying all that stuff yourself until I can confirm it, k? If you have connections to business or people who could help supply that stuff, let me know.
This next part is for people camping out-of town… all you Niagara people can skip past this next part.
Too far to camp in Niagara?
If you are too far away to camp in Niagara Falls, look for a campground or park in your area that will allow you to camp there for the 50 hours. Most people are pretty good about it, but make sure you get their permission. Also, connect with others in your area who want to camp as well. With everyone camping together, it is so much more fun and it’s all for the same cause, right? We will help connect campers with you.
You will need to supply all your own camping stuff. (Tents, sleeping bags, food, firewood). A good idea would be to contact the Scouts, or Cadets to see if they can donate winter camping gear for the 50 hours. Local restaurants like Subway, Tim Hortons and Pizza shops may consider bringing food. Check with your friends and family to see who they know and who can help you with what. If we can get some national chains on-board that will help all the camp-out campsites across Canada, we’ll do that and let you know.
Ok, everybody can read this next stuff
We’ve started promoting this year’s campout to the media already, and things should start getting pretty crazy pretty quick. I hope you’re ok with being interviewed by news people. If not, let me know. What I hope to do, is have some of you featured on interviews as well. If I know the media is setting something up and they are from your area, or I’m in your area, I would really like to have you featured for your efforts.
The two best ways to raise awareness for your campout (and get tons of sponsors) is:
1) Social Media. Youtube is huge for this stuff. Start making some videos now, promote your idea to campout and tell everybody what you are doing and why you are doing it. I will be featuring your videos on my website, twitter and facebook, so if you do some videos, send me the link, k?
In the registration (link attached), you will be aske to send a short bio and a picture. This is to help us support you and promote your camp-out on our website and Faceook and Twitter
2) friends and family. Talk to everyone. Your friends and family are your biggest supporters and when they find out that you are camping out in March, in the cold for 50 hours, they will tell everybody they know.
Not everybody will donate $1.00 for every hour. Some will donate more than that. Others might only be able to give $5.00 for your entire camp-out. That’s ok. People will give what they can when they find out about what you are doing and they are asked.
I think that’s it for now. I will be sending regular emails to you to keep you up-to-date. In the meantime, if you have any questions or ideas, send me an email and I’ll get back to you with whatever you need.
Thank you for being a part of this huge camp-out. We are going to make a huge difference and help change kid’s lives. You’re amazing and I am so happy that you are a part of this.
Download the registration form here
Download the Waiver here
Download the Sponsor Form Here
Share this Link to have people donate to your campout online
If you haven’t yet, please sign up here - your name will be added to the donation site and you will receive special important emails from me
Any questions? email me anytime at: campout2012@northernstarfish.org
Wes Prankard
http://www.northernstarfish.
