Shader Kids is a charitable foundation that was established in the memory of Tim “Shader” Ross.

The mission of the foundation is to develop youth leadership through outdoor experiences. assist future leaders to achieve their potential by having a fun filled outdoor experience at an accredited Outdoor camp dedicated to the values of leadership, responsibility, creation of friends and community.

Tim had a positive impact on many thousands of campers over his 14 years in Canadian Camping. He was the Director of Camp Chief Hector where according to Jill Jamison, General Manager of the Rocky Mountain YMCA, “he is remembered as having a huge heart …. loved the kids and liked to make people’s days better and richer.”

He also worked in a senior position at Ontario’s Kilcoo Camp where he was described as “being a force larger than life”.

Tim lived life to the fullest by giving so much of himself to others, enjoying a great sense of humour, a deep compassion for his fellow workers, campers and friends and his love of skiing. He willingly gave so much to so many demanding nothing in return except that one should strive to be all that they could be.

It is with this legacy in mind that the Shader (his camp name) Foundation has been created to ensure that those less fortunate than Tim can experience the fun, challenges and rewards that an outdoor experience can bring to form their future leadership potential.

Mission

To provide a fun outdoor experience within the Canadian Camping Community that values young people and enables them to reach their full leadership potential through selection and provision of financial support.

Values

Potential Leaders:

We will achieve our goals by selecting potential leaders that lack the financial resources and who have been identified through school, community and/or camping organizations.

Growth:

We will only place potential campers in an atmosphere that builds individual self confidence, social responsibility and appreciation of others for their future development.

Leadership Responsibility:

We will endeavor to expose these campers to an environment where leaders have a highly developed sense of responsibility and feeling for the welfare of the campers they will lead and teach the essentials of ability, character and skill, embodied in the magic qualities of good leadership.

Financial Capability:

We will raise money from donors (corporate, personal and other foundations), events, and special functions to build a capital fund and we will ensure that donated resources are managed effectively and used to their maximum advantage.

Continuity of purpose:

We will respect and carry on the strong legacy of our inspiration, original supporters and founders.

Legacy:

This foundation has been inspired by the memory of Tim Ross, 1972-2004, who dedicated his life developing the leadership potential and personal enrichment that can be achieved through education, living and a fun filled experience in nature.