Summer Camp Bondar Challenge

Welcome to the 2025 Summer Camp Bondar Challenge. Thank you for your interest in this program.

Please take a look at the objectives, benefits and fees section below and then you can fill out an application for your camp. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

2025 Summer Camp Bondar Challenge

1. To help campers develop a lifelong affinity for both the joy of photography and the love of nature
2. To provide an environmental and artistic learning opportunity for camp staff members delivering the program
3. To help campers use the camera to ‘see’ the environment around them with a discerning eye and mind
4. To teach campers how to use cameras as an effective means of capturing images and concepts and communicating them to others
5. To help campers articulate their feelings about what they see and critically assess how they could improve their image
6. To help campers understand the science contained within the art of the photograph

• Offer campers a combination of photography and environmental education that participating camps have said “works perfectly in a camp setting”
• Provide leadership development opportunities for staff leaders delivering the program
• Immerse campers in a creative learning challenge
• Build a sense of connectedness to the environment
• Receive recognition of your camp’s participation on The Foundation’s website
• Give campers a feeling of connectedness to something larger by participating in an international program developed by Canadian icon, Dr. Roberta Bondar
• Have submissions judged by a panel of experts, prizes for winning campers, and posting results on The Foundation’s website

A training registration fee of $130 per camp which includes access to online training, access to help throughout the summer from The Foundation and a camp kit of materials necessary for one camp staff member to lead the delivery of the Bondar Challenge. For each additional staff leader delivering the program, an additional $25 fee is required. This entitles leader(s) to the following:

• Unlimited use of the program for Summer 2025 sessions
• Detailed information about the program and its delivery
• Program materials for camp staff leaders delivering the program including certificates signed by Dr. Bondar certifying participation of campers in the program
• Password-protected access to online learning tools, regulations, deadlines and submission instruction
• Coaching and idea exchange throughout the summer through The Foundation
• Leader’s e-Certificate signed by Dr. Bondar for staff leaders successfully delivering the program and completing the evaluation of the program experience at the end of Summer (provided upon request)
• Start up camp kit of program materials – e.g., various Eco learning tools, printed Learning Guide, participant certificates, buttons
• Access to a camera loan program for campers based on need
• Acknowledgement on The Roberta Bondar Foundation’s website as a participating camp
• Opportunity for the camp to be featured on our social media pages.

Individual CCA/ACC member camps (registered through their Provincial or State Camping Association) must apply online through The Roberta Bondar Foundation website.

Photo submissions from participating camps must be sent to The Foundation by 20:00 hours EST on September 1st, 2025 to be considered.

To submit, photos may be either uploaded to the provided USB and mailed back to us, or uploaded to a Google Drive folder and shared with us.

The Foundation will confirm receipt of your application. Notice of Acceptance will be issued shortly after. To receive a password to access the training toolkit and the camp kit of materials through the mail to get started, a cheque or money order for $130 plus $25 for each additional staff member leading the Challenge must have been received. Upon receipt of the fee, your password for online access to the Bondar Challenge toolkit will be issued to identified staff leaders. Please submit fees in your national currency. If some unforeseen event forces The Foundation to cancel or postpone the acceptance, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee; however, the Foundation cannot be held responsible for any related costs.

If a camp registers persons with disabilities to participate in the Bondar Challenge, appropriate judging criteria will be applied.

Please send an email to us here.

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