Brad Cameron of Sturgis was one of the many volunteer mission workers at the Canada Summer Games held in Winnipeg on July 29 to August 13.
Cameron was responsible for behind-the-scenes, off-field help for athletes in the men's basketball and canoe and kayak teams for Saskatchewan.
"I received an email in early 2016 asking if I was interested in participating,” Cameron said. “I replied and was accepted.
“In May 2016 I met with mission staff and coaches. In May 2017 we met with the men's basketball team and in early July we met with the kayak and canoe teams.”
Winnipeg was the largest city to ever host the games and some of the issues faced included traveling across the city to the various events.
A “cool” things that Cameron took away was the friendships made with representatives of other provinces.
He also had the opportunity as a mission worker to watch some other events.
"I got to watch some women's basketball and springboard diving,” he said. The springboard diving was very interesting and watching the incredible talents was inspiring.
“I also watched track-and-field, soccer, triathlon, swimming, softball and baseball. Saskatchewan won gold in baseball, marking the first time that Saskatchewan had ever won a gold medal in a team sport.”
What Cameron took away from the games was the huge welcome by the 4,000 volunteers.
"It was great to see the top athletes in Saskatchewan reach their potential as athletes,” he said. “Knowing some will be able to go on to international, national and possibly Olympic levels is a great feeling.
“If asked to volunteer again I would in a heartbeat.”
The next games will be the winter games in 2019 in Red Deer and 2021 will be the next summer games.
