Hi, my name is Darcie. This year would have been my third year serving as Manager of Jam Camp on the River. Jam Camp means so much to me. It is more than a music camp. It's a place of community, creativity, connection, and belonging. I've never been part of another community that makes people feel so genuinely welcomed, loved, and accepted for exactly who they are.

The night before I was scheduled to leave for Jam Camp this year, everything changed.

The Bald Ridge Wildfire broke out, forcing road closures and ultimately leading to the cancellation of Jam Camp on the River. As the fire spread, it destroyed the trailer carrying much of the Jam Camp Instrument Library. Instruments that had been used by countless campers over the years were reduced to ash. These weren't just instruments. They were tools for self-expression, confidence-building, friendship, and musical discovery.

As many of you have already heard, the Bald Ridge Wildfire has devastated parts of Summerland, BC, and surrounding communities. Summerland is home to many of our beloved Jam Camp facilitators and serves as the home base for Jam Camp Society, our administration team, and four of our six founding members.

The good news is that everyone in the Jam Camp family was able to evacuate safely, and for that we are incredibly grateful. The bad news is that more than three-quarters of our Instrument Library has been lost, as well as the homes of the Tumbach and Bovenzi families, which also served as Jam Camp's administrative base.

Despite this devastating loss, we are overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from our community. Your prayers, messages, and encouragement have reminded us just how special the Jam Camp family truly is.

We know we will get through this.

Jam Camp has always been built on resilience, hope, and the belief that music can bring people together even in the hardest times. This community has weathered challenges before, and we will do so again. We are determined to return next summer stronger than ever, ready to celebrate music, nature, friendship, and community once again.

This fundraiser has been created to help Jam Camp Society recover from the financial losses caused by both the wildfire and the cancellation of Jam Camp on the River.

As many of you know, Jam Camp operates on a very modest budget. Jam Camp on the River 2026 was expected to be our largest and most financially successful camp of the year. The revenue from this camp was intended to help support our smaller programs, cover outstanding operational expenses, and pay wages that are still owing.

After providing as many refunds as possible to families affected by the cancellation, we are still facing significant financial challenges. In addition to covering existing expenses, we now face the enormous task of rebuilding our Instrument Library so future campers can continue to experience the joy of making music together.

If you are in a position to contribute financially, any donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference and help ensure the future of Jam Camp.

If you're unable to donate, please don't worry. Sharing this fundraiser and sending messages of love and support means the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with the Jam Camp family during this difficult time. Together, we will rebuild, recover, and make music again.

With gratitude,

Darcie

Jam Camp on the River Manager