Community Group 2025 recap - Bryerswood Youth Camp

The Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club is a dedicated group of volunteers who own and operate Bryerswood Youth Camp for the children and youth of the community. This group of people accomplished a lot during 2025.

The year started on a big high due to the support received from the 2024 year-end fundraiser called “Let’s Make Bryerswood Even Better.” The funds raised from this campaign helped to provide incredible programs to the children, pay down the mortgage a bit and make some improvements to the camp.

The biggest improvement to the camp to date was completed in January and an unveiling of the Activity Centre kitchen and washrooms was held with local dignitaries at a celebration near the end of that month. Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for making these renovations possible.

Earth Day celebrations were held in late April and despite the very cold day, people still attended and learned about various activities that they could do to help take care of the Earth. This year, Earth Day celebrations are planned for April 25. Come out and learn about solar applications and electric vehicles, plant some trees and shrubs, drop off your used household batteries or aluminum for recycling, or build a nesting box, among other things.

In May, Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club received a huge accolade from the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce. On May 8 the club was honoured and humbled to receive the Community Service Charitable Award. We are most grateful to our nominator and to all the people who believe in and support Bryerswood Youth Camp.

During the summer months, as well on school breaks and PA Days throughout the school year, many children and youth attended Bryerswood for day camps. For a small sampling of what went on, view the year-end video which can be found on both the Bryerswood Instagram and Facebook pages. New friends, great times and lots of laughter and smiles occurred on every occasion. If you are looking for some great programs for your children to attend on PA days, March Break, or during the summer, then go to the Reservations & Registrations tab on www.bryerswood.com and check out the information. Registrations are live for all programs from now to the end of the summer.

In October, many trick or treaters braved the rainy, cold weather to come to the camp to show off their costumes, collect treats, play games and make some crafts. Fortunately, we were able to move the activities indoors. Thanks to those families who brought the trunks full of goodies to share.

At the end of 2025, our Optimist Club was privileged to serve the hot chocolate at the River Lights Warming House. We saw many of our campers and their families over this six-week period. It was a lot of fun getting to see them and to meet so many other people and to spread the word about Bryerswood Youth Camp. A huge shout out of thanks to the Town for asking us to serve and to Amherstburg Tim Hortons. It would not have been possible without them.

At the end of last year, we ran our year-end fundraising campaign of “Let’s Make Bryerswood Even Better.” Once again Amherstburg shows what a huge heart it has. These donations will be used to support the programs for the children and youth and the camp in general. Thank you again to all for your support.

As always, if ever you have any questions, please call the camp at 519-726-6266 and leave us a message so that we can get back to you. If you would like a tour or to rent the facilities when we are not using them, give us a call. If you have a spare hour or more and would like to make a difference in your community, give us a call. Volunteering at Bryerswood is a lot of fun and it is very satisfying as you can see the impact of your actions in the smiles upon the children’s faces.

The children are our future. Let’s give them the best start that we can. You will be glad that you joined the club!

—Submitted by Cathy Robertson

Community Group 2025 recap - Bryerswood Youth Camp