The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) was created in 2018 to give the youth we serve a voice in helping us make decisions. Giving young people a say in how we operate helps us stay relevant to our campers and make sure we are growing forward as an organization.
So far, we have consulted with our Youth Advisory Council on decisions related to gender-inclusive cabin groups, camper application process, camper support programs, camper feedback, staff recruitment, branding and fundraising.
The current YAC is comprised of ten regionally representative current and former campers who are passionate and enthusiastic about what we do. Learn more about their stories below!
Bisi
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Pronunciation: Be-see
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bisi is a 16-year-old current camper who attended two of our seven sites across North America in Manitoba and Ontario. When she first arrived at camp, Bisi found it challenging to make friends. She noticed others making connections and wanted to join in but didn’t have the confidence to approach people. But with each camp activity, Bisi’s confidence grew, and she felt more comfortable opening up to her peers. She stopped worrying about what other people thought and noticed her confidence and self-esteem started to flourish. Bisi finds it easier now to create friendships with her peers, she still is working on creating long lasting friendships by understanding what her friends’ interests are, and how they relate to her own.
Bisi, who is now in her third year of high school, recently joined the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to meet new people and contribute to the Foundation that helped her excel.
Bisi has many hobbies in which she enjoys! This includes learning new languages, writing and drawing, dancing and photography. While writing and drawing is a great outlet for Bisi to help articulate her emotions, she also uses it to practice writing in the languages she learns.
Currently, Bisi plans on attending university or apprenticeship but she’s mainly leaning towards university.
Cody
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Name pronunciation: Coe-Dee
Pronouns: He/him
Location: Cambridge, Ontario
“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
That’s the powerful lesson Tims Camps taught Cody. Each summer Cody attended camp, he met countless youth who were in the same boat as him; away from home and surrounded by strangers.
Sat around the campfire, Cody had the opportunity to learn about his cabin mates, their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and dreams. With each conversation and activity, he learned a little more about himself and others. Ultimately, Tims Camps taught Cody that despite our differences, we’re much more similar to others than we are different.
Upon graduating from the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2022, Cody joined the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to maintain his connection to the Foundation and help make camp meaningful and impactful for the next generation of campers.
Cody is looking forward to one day pursuing a career in welding and fabrication.
Graci
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Name pronunciation: Gray-See
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Birch Run, Michigan
Graci completed the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2022 and joined the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in the same year to continue developing her skills, contributing to the Foundation, and improving the experience of the next generation of campers.
Tims Camps felt like a second home to Graci and is where she learned two key takeaways: her voice matters, and she is loved.
“Tims Camps taught me that I’m allowed to have a voice and what I have to say matters. There are always people who care about you, even if you’ve been told there isn’t. I was surrounded by people at camp who cared and wanted to be part of my growth and success. I joined the Youth Advisory Council so I can encourage campers to advocate for themselves.”
Graci, who is 18 years old and completing her senior year of high school, volunteers at her church. She hopes to attend University to become a social worker and support individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges.
JiYu
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Name Pronunciation: Gee-You
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Moncton, NB
After completing the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2020, JiYu learned “nothing is impossible.”
The now 19-year-old recalled being a shy and introverted teenager who begged her parents not to send her to camp. By the time her first session was over, she didn’t want to leave.
The overnight wilderness trips were the most challenging part of her camp experience but instilled in her the confidence to try new things and the ability to work as a team alongside her cabin mates.
“You don’t think about it while you’re there, but every time I came home, I was always so mesmerized at how in just that short period of ten days, camp changed my life and changed me into a better version of myself - a happier version of myself.”
JiYu has served as a member of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for three years and studies Health Sciences at University. In her spare time, she offers free French tutoring sessions to young immigrant students, serves on the UNICEF Canada Youth Advisory Program, and is a member of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas-Taylor’s Youth Council.
Her dream is to attend medical school and become a doctor.
Kayla
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Name Pronunciation: Kay-Luh
Pronouns: She/they
Location: Hamburg, New York
As a teenager, attending Tims Camps was the highlight of Kayla’s summers. She attended Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell in Manitoba, Tim Horton Memorial Camp in Ontario, and Tim Horton Camp Kentahten in Kentucky.
While she experienced funny moments like accidentally flipping her canoe during a wilderness trip in her second summer, Kayla ultimately credits Tims Camps with helping them become more comfortable with themself.
“For as long as I can remember, I always struggled to be myself around new people, but camp helped me through that and forced me to be okay around people I didn’t know. It’s more than just a summer camp. It’s the safest and most fun place to learn critical life skills from fire making to leadership.”
Kayla graduated from the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2021 and has served on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for a year. Their most proud moment on the YAC has been helping to create sensory safe spaces at each of our seven sites.
Kayla works full-time and studies at the University of Buffalo.
LaGrace
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Name pronunciation: Lah-Grace
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Calgary, Alberta
While LaGrace developed a newfound appreciation for nature, the four summers she spent at Tims Camps ultimately taught her to accept and celebrate others for who they are. Living in close quarters with strangers helped LaGrace become more patient and understanding of her peers. With every activity and goal she and her cabin mates achieved together, she felt a stronger bond and appreciation for people’s unique qualities.
“I learned that not everyone is going to be like me. We all have different skills and abilities. When difficult times come, I shouldn’t be angry at how others solve problems because it’s different than how I would. Tims Camps is a place where everyone is accepted without judgement.”
LaGrace joined the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in 2023 and looks forward to learning more about the Foundation from a new perspective and continuing to refine the skills she developed as a camper.
She is 18 years old, is completing her final year of high school, and enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer. She tutors other students and dreams of one day becoming a detective.
Maddy
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Pronunciation: Mad-ee
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick
After attending three summers of in-person programming and two of digital programming, Maddy graduated from the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2022.
Tims Camps taught Maddy how to step out of her comfort zone in more ways than one. While one of her fondest memories is reaching the top of all six rock climbing walls at Tim Horton Memorial Camp in Parry Sound, Ontario, she also recalls challenging herself to make new friends.
“Being put in a new setting with new people and having to become social with them right away was something I dreaded. But as the years went on, it became a little easier to do as you would just bond over things like school or sports. You only have ten days at camp each year so there is no point wasting it trying to be someone you’re not.”
Maddy is 17 years old and has served on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for one year. She plays on her high school’s rugby team, as well as her local community girls football team. Her goal is to attend University and play football for Team Canada.
Ryan
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT COUNSELLOR AND YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Pronunciation: Rhye-in
Pronouns: He/they
Location: St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ryan is a 20-year-old former camper who graduated from the Tims Camps Youth Leadership Program in 2019.
Ryan attended four of our seven camps across North America in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario. During the challenging wilderness trips, Ryan developed stronger communication skills and learned how to work as a team.
While camp is full of fun experiences, youth are encouraged and supported to step out of their comfort zones. At times, Ryan found it difficult to live with a cabin full of strangers, but soon saw the benefits.
“It taught me how to come out of my shell, communicate, and become a better leader. My key takeaway from camp is to not be afraid to be myself and make new friends.”
The impact the Foundation had on Ryan inspired him to become a camp counsellor to deliver summer and school programming to other youth. He’s extended his connection to the Foundation by serving on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for one year and is dedicated to helping elevate our programming through the camper lens and amplify the youth voice.
Ryan, whose camp name is ‘WestJet’, is studying aviation and hopes to one day earn a PhD in History.
Yamina
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Pronunciation: Ya-Me-Nah
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Though Yamina is bilingual and had the opportunity to attend French and English speaking Tims Camps, she said participating in programs delivered in English opened her mind to the challenges Canadian immigrants may face.
“This experience allowed me to better understand those whom English and French is not their first language - the frustration, misunderstanding, and withdrawal.”
Yamina graduated from the Tims Camps Summer Program in 2022, the same year she started serving on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Along with her twin sister Yasmine, the pair are the only two Francophones on the council. Yamina hopes to elevate the challenges campers face whose first language isn’t English or French.
“I felt it was important to represent all the Francophones and Quebecers who are part of the Tims Camps program, so they feel respected and listened to. I have many ideas and proposals to make the camps even better and more inclusive for everyone.”
Yamina is currently involved in many clubs and activities and hopes to continue her studies and eventually work in the medical field.
Yasmine
FORMER CAMPER, CURRENT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Pronunciation: Yass-Meen
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Tims Camps taught Yasmine that even during challenging times, she is in control of her mindset.
While Yamine was camping overnight on an island with her cabin mates, a thunderstorm erupted, extinguishing their campfire and soaking their tent. Instead of getting frustrated, Yasmine took a deep breath and changed her mindset. While laughing uncontrollably, the group worked quickly to pull tarps over the tent and protect themselves from the rain.
“It was an unforgettable experience and I learned to smile at life even in moments that are difficult. Stay positive, and your life will be too. I learned to not let despair get the better of me. Just look at your goal and don't give up.”
Yasmine is 17 years old and is in her final year of High School. She’s a screenwriter and a dedicated project manager, an athlete and a member of the track and field team, a nature lover and a travel enthusiast, an avid reader and amateur photographer, and a passionate volunteer in many activities and organizations protecting human rights.
Yasmine has several careers in mind and is interested in a variety of fields. Although she is not sure what specialty to pursue, she is up for whatever the next adventure may be.
