Help Build-A-Camp with Sophos

Hi! I’m Sophos! I run summer day camps for youth ages 5-15 on Nova Scotia’s South Shore where I’ve been working in the camp community for almost a decade now!

Last summer, I found myself without safe, full-time employment as a trans & neurodivergent person. With a long-time dream of starting my own camp, and the experience of directing one as a teenager, Build-A-Camp was born! 

Centring the needs of neurodivergent and gender-expansive youth, Build-A-Camp meets kids where they’re at - literally! I work closely with families in my community to “build” six weeks of day camp in their backyards for 7-10 kids each week. Camp activities centre around the interests of my campers, whether they be Taylor Swift or Medieval Magic, we make it happen! 

I’ve started this GoFundMe to open up to my broader community and include you all in the reality of creating camp together. Camp is truly my “raison d’être”; it is the privilege of a lifetime to have the opportunity to work together to create fun and meaningful spaces for youth on the South Shore.

Last summer, my budget looked like this:

Program materials: $1500

Insurance: $1250

Campership: $750

Prep Hours: $25/hr x 60 hrs = $1500

TOTAL: $5000

For this summer, my budget looks like:

Program Materials: $500

Insurance: $1400 (I have an annual plan this year so the cost is already covered & not included in the total below)

Campership: $1500

Prep Hours: $25/hr x 40 hrs = $1000

TOTAL: $3000

Program materials includes things like first-aid gear, safety equipment, fidgets, props, costumes and craft supplies. I require less this year as I paid for the necessary larger items (i.e. tent, wagon, craft boards) last year.

Camperships are made available to any family that requires financial support to send their child(ren) to camp. By aspiring to double the Campership funding this year, I hope to be able to offer twice as much support directly to the families I serve.

Before the camp season begins, I put many (MANY) hours into planning & preparing for my campers. Last summer, I required ~60 prep hours to sufficiently prepare for the 2024 season; this year I require 40.

I share my budgets to be transparent and offer accountability in terms of how camp funds are managed. I am seeking community-based support as Build-A-Camp is an inherently community-based project; an ecosystem, if you will. Ecosystems thrive when they are seen and supported, from Bonavista all the way to Vancouver Island (and beyond)!

Thank you for reading, and considering joining our quest to Build-A-Camp!

Sophos

he/him