Partner Camp Spotlight: Cedar Ridge Camp
When Grayson Burke, Director of Cedar Ridge Camp, first shared plans for the Hilly Half back in 2020, to say we were impressed would be an understatement. The vision was a half marathon and 10 km run through the rolling hills surrounding the camp. The race’s slogan? Easy on the eyes, killer on the thighs.
Inspired by the Parkdale Road Runners’ running retreats often hosted at Cedar Ridge, many staff and campers expressed an interest in running together a few years back. And thus the Cedar Ridge Running Club was born. Members of the club would run together every morning before the bell and would often discuss how cool it would be to host a real race up at camp.
In summer 2020, camp closures caused by the pandemic meant the Running Club couldn’t participate in their usual activities together. So Grayson, the Running Club and a group of alumni devised a plan to bring together Cedar Ridge’s running community, and then some, that fall. To boot, they wanted to make sure the event raised money to support children from low-income families to attend camp the following summer, after two long years without it.
“We wanted to incorporate more purpose to the Hilly Half than just running,” says Grayson. “We know and see the value of Amici every day at camp and we wanted to embrace that motivation of running for something beyond ourselves.”
At camp, kids learn resilience. And by gosh does it take a lot of resilience, grit and determination to complete the Hilly Half!
That first group of 40 runners, despite all the obstacles of the pandemic and “killer” hills, raised a remarkable $2,500 in support of Amici campers. And in 2021, they raised another $2,500 to give the gift of summer camp to children from low-income families.
Now, Grayson and the team are gearing up for their third annual Hilly Half and are hoping to welcome over 100 runners to Cedar Ridge on September 17, 2022. “Conquering those hills is no easy feat,” says Grayson, “but it’s all worth it when you cross the finish line and are able to jump right off the dock!”
On behalf of all Amici campers, we would like to thank Grayson, the Cedar Ridge staff, the Cedar Ridge Running Club and all participants of the Hilly Half. We are grateful for your dedication to providing children facing financial barriers with the same wonderful camp experiences you have long enjoyed on Lake Wanamaker.
To register or learn more about the Hilly Half, visit http://cedarridgehillyhalf.ca/.
Cedar Ridge is one of Amici’s 45 incredible partner camps who make camp possible for Amici campers summer-after-summer. Learn more about our partner camps.
