“Congratulations… to the Winnipeg Optimal Health Early Years Sports Club (OHEYS) for being named recipient of the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award for providing physical activity programming for children with autism. It is because of organizations such as yours, and the contributions you have made to sport development, that we have a thriving sport delivery system in the province.”

“We strongly urge you to support OHEYS as it goes forward with its agenda. Our children and their families benefit from the existence of this program and it would be sorely missed if it was not able to continue. OHEYS has developed programming that provides motivated staff and volunteers with the opportunity to work closely with school-aged children as those children master a wide variety of skills. These skills, including physical activity and social engagement, contribute to a broad understanding of what goes into creating a healthy lifestyle. Wherever they may be on the spectrum of skill acquisition, participants are engaged almost immediately in full participation and feel safe and capable of developing themselves.”

I would just like to say that this camp has been one of the most positive experiences in our child’s life. There is so much variety in the activities that every child has something they love. The atmosphere is evident. The training coaches and volunteers receive ensures that everyone involved is on the same page, and that the most important thing is the kids. The young coaches are energetic, positive, professional and patient. From the moment you walk through the door you feel welcome, and the children quickly feel safe and relaxed … which, with this special group, is no small feat!

Thank you so very much for the opportunity to work at your camp! I think it’s a great camp for the kids and helps them use the communication skills at the camp outside of camp as well. You’ve definitely given me some new tools to use in the school and with the kids I do respite with. I would love to come back next summer!

Thank you for everything and for all the effort you put into this camp for it to work. Sometimes you might think all that extra effort may not show, but it really does. It’s a great camp!