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; to 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.
Shader Kids Foundation was established in 2005 following the tragic loss of Tim Ross with the hopes of continuing his legacy of providing positive outdoor experiences to young Canadians.
Tim had a beneficial impact on many thousands of campers over his 14 years in Canadian Camping. He was the Director of YMCA Camp Chief Hector where according to Jill Jamieson, General Manager of the Rocky Mountain YMCA, “he is remembered as having a huge heart …. (he) 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. 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) Kids 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.