Who We Are

The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation was established in 1974 in memory of the great hockey player Tim Horton. Created as a way to honour Tim’s memory and to keep alive his love for helping those less fortunate, the Foundation provides an enriching and memorable camp experience for children and youth living in economically disadvantaged homes. The first camp was opened in 1975 in Parry Sound, Ontario, and hosted 200 campers in its first summer. Since then, we have grown to five camps in Canada and one in the United States, hosting more than 15,000 children and youth in 2012. For further information on the Foundation go to www.thcf.com.

A Foundation camp experience provides programs that develop lifelong skills in children and youth. When they return home from camp, they take with them a more positive attitude about their future and the confidence to achieve the goals they learned to set for themselves at camp. Campers leave with a sense of drive, and a will to better themselves. When asked by the Foundation if their child talks more positively about the future after returning from camp, one parent responded: “Oh yes! She is so excited about her future; the camp was like a diving board. She was not sure what she wanted to do and now she is positive that becoming a teacher is her goal.” Foundation camp programming lays the groundwork to empower campers to want more for themselves, and to be more. They learn how to set and achieve their goals, and are mentored by positive role models who encourage them to reach for the sky.

To hear more success stories from Foundation campers themselves, visit us on Facebook.

What We Do

The Foundation operates throughout the entire year, and runs three core programs.

Summer Camp Program

Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners work closely with community organizations and schools to select economically disadvantaged children between the ages of nine and 12 for a once-in-a-lifetime camp experience. These campers attend a 10-day summer camp session.

To learn more about the Summer Camp Program, watch the five-part “Small Change for Big Change” series produced by CityTV at the Tim Horton Memorial Camp in Parry Sound.

For more information.

Year Round Group Program

Operating throughout the fall, winter and spring, the Year Round Group Program is for groups and schools that serve children who meet the Foundation’s criteria. These groups attend a three-day to seven-day residential camping adventure and take part in all aspects of Foundation camp activities.

Watch the video to see how just 50 hours at camp taking part in the Year Round Group program helps children discover a lot about themselves. 50 Hours to Discover: Devrell’s personal story

For more information.

Youth Leadership Program

Each year former campers apply to take part in the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation’s Youth Leadership Program. This successive, five-level program occurs over a 10-day session in the summer, and is for youth who have an interest in developing lifelong leadership skills.

Watch the video to hear one of our Youth Leadership Program graduates describe their journey as they become the person they always wanted to be.

For more information.

Funding For Our Camps

Funding for the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation comes primarily from donations from our Restaurant Owners, suppliers and public donations collected through counter coin boxes located year-round at our restaurants. Throughout the year, a number of fundraising events such as annual golf tournaments and banquet dinners are also held to raise donations.

The largest single fundraising event is Camp Day. Camp Day is the one day (during the first week of the month of June) when our Restaurant Owners donate 100% of their coffee proceeds, plus other funds raised throughout the 24-hour period, to the Foundation. In 2012, Camp Day raised over an incredible $11 million.

Donations to THCF from corporate (cash) – $1,000,000
Donations to THCF from corporate (in kind) – $287,000
Donations to THCF from corporate (ad fund) – $1,000,000
Donations to THCF from restaurant coin boxes – $8,056,000
Camp Day donations received in 2012 – $11,557,000
Other donations to THCF from either corporate, restaurant owners, guests or partners – $7,049,000

Environmental Programs at Our Camps

Environmental programming is a key part of a camper’s experience with the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. Each camp infuses the environment into the program in their own unique way taking advantage of the natural regions which surround each camp. Below are details of some of the environmental programming found at a Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Camp.

Tim Horton Children’s Camp’s Marine Centre

The outcome of this program is to educate our campers about the various assortments of marine life found along the coast of the Northumberland Strait, and to provide knowledge about the ocean and its many wonders.

Camp des Voyageurs Tim Hortons Nature Classroom

The purpose of the nature classroom is to get children excited about the natural environment that surrounds them at Camp des Voyageurs Tim Horton, to provide them with interesting facts about the plants and animals that live around camp and to leave them with a greater appreciation of the natural environment that surrounds them and their place in it.

Tim Horton Children’s Ranch Environmental Discovery Centre

At the Environmental Discovery Centre, campers learn more about the environment and discover how they can make their world a better place to live. Campers learn about environmental awareness and responsibility, community contribution (at camp and at home), discover local history, culture, and geography and develop an understanding of global environmental issues, while learning about alternative energy possibilities.

Tim Horton Memorial Camp Environmental Hiking Program

Within the Environmental Hiking Program, campers learn about the different types of plant and animal life that surround the camp. The solar system, stars and constellations are also discussed during the evening portion of the hike, which is all done to increase a child’s understanding of the wonders and opportunities that surround them, while encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and experience something new.

Tim Horton Camp Kentahten’s “Think Green” Program

This program allows campers to experience nature in a fun and educational way. Campers participate in a variety of activities that focus on animal adaptation, behaviour, conservation, and general education and on Leave No Trace^TM. The goal of the program is to help campers develop an understanding of the balance in nature and increase their appreciation of the beauty and adventure that can be found in their backyard and neighborhoods in a fun and educational interaction with the outdoors.

Tim Horton Onondaga Farms Environmental Programming

Campers at the Farm participate in a wide variety of environmental programming focused around agriculture, sustainability and conservation. Campers have the opportunity to explore the “Living Lab” with a large variety of animal and plant life, experience a pond study on one of the many wetlands that share the camp property, spend time in the Barn interacting with the variety of farm animals or help to grow fruits and vegetables in the Green House and organic garden.