Funding Support

Chris Waller Fund Junior Sailing Bursary

Chris Waller Fund bursaries help low income youth (8 – 14 years old) attend up to one two-week session at BQYC’s Junior Sail Training Camp.  The bursary covers the Junior Sailing Camp Registration fee and other related expenses to ensure the youth can participate fully in camp activities.  

The Chris Waller Fund will enable up to six youth in 2022 to spend two weeks learning to sail and developing new skills, confidence, and opportunities that would otherwise have been unavailable to them. Youth learn collaboration and team-building skills, responsibility, and sailing skills all while enjoying summer days on the water. 

How did the Chris Waller Fund start?

The Chris Waller Fund was established in 1987 in memory of Chris who was born with hemophilia and died at the young age of 19.  Knowing the positive impact sailing had on Chris, his parents started the fund to help other youth experience the joy of sailing.  Read more about Chris Waller here.

Since then, with the generous support of BQYC members, the fund has provided 254 Chris Waller Junior Sailing Bursaries, enabling local youth to explore a sport that they wouldn’t ordinarily have had the opportunity to enjoy.  

Who can apply?

Chris Waller Junior Sailing bursaries are available for low income youth to participate in one two week Junior Sail Training Camp in either July or August. 

Youth are nominated for a Chris Waller Fund Bursary by local social service, health or educational professionals and agencies, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Hastings Children’s Aid Society, the Sea Cadets, and others.  The Junior Sail Training program does not accept bursary applications directly from a youth or their family without the support of a referring professional or agency. BQYC relies on area professionals to ensure the limited number of bursaries are awarded to youth who will benefit the most from them.

If you wish to learn more about being nominated for a bursary or to nominate a deserving youth, please contact us at school@bqyc.ca  

Camps of Hope - Children's Foundation

In addition, funding support for people living in Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties may also be available through the Children's Foundation Program called "Camps for Hope".