Earl Hanson was a passionate and dedicated community member. Now there's a camp named after him.
The Earl Hanson Graduate Co-op Camp, which Innovation Credit Union is sponsoring, takes place July 29 to Aug. 3 at Last Mountain Lake, about 100 km northwest of Regina.
The camp is part of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program/Co-op Camp offers four to six day-long camps for 12 to 18 year olds. The camp teaches youth leadership, teamwork and communication skills. The camp hopes to increase the confidence and knowledge of co-operatives of participants, along with motivate participants to get involved in the community.
Malina Combres of Innovation Credit Union and the camp have similar interests.
"It aligns directly with our values of community and giving back to youth," Combres said.
Earl Hanson supported co-operatives for a number of years before passing away in 2017. He won a Lifetime Co-operative Achievement Award in 2016. Hanson lived in towns including Unity, Outlook and Swift Current.
"Earl Hanson was one of the most passionate advocates for the co-operative system I know, so it seemed only fitting to honour him by sponsoring a co-op camp in his name," Innovation CEO Dan Johnson said in a news release.
2018 marks the 90th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program.
Executive director of Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, Victoria Morris, said the camp generally attracts 150 to 200 participants.
"We're honoured that we can help celebrate Earl's contributions," Morris said.
The Earl Hanson Graduate Co-op Camp is open to youth who have already completed the intermediate level of camp. Application forms and more information are available at www.innovationcu.ca or www.sask.coop.
The deadline to apply is May 31.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
