Saint-Sauveur (Québec), July 18, 2017 – Chris Adam, a dedicated environmentalist and teacher and a former Camp YMCA Kanawana staff member, is the recipient of the 2016 Camp YMCA Kanawana “Pip” Award. Mr. Adam is the tenth person to receive the award, established in 2007 to recognize the contributions of distinguished Kanawana alumni.

“Camp YMCA Kanawana has established itself as a leader in the environment, so it is highly appropriate that we should recognize someone who has given so much of his life to protecting our planet and teaching others about it,” says Andrew Caddell, who sponsors the award. “The purpose of this award is to recognize people who have taken the values they learned at Kanawana and applied them to the larger world. Chris Adam receives the “Pip” Award for a lifetime dedication to the environment and education, and as an inspiration to young people to take action to build a sustainable future. The “Pip” Award Committee felt Chris’s ability to show leadership in this important cause made him a deserving recipient.”

On July 20, Chris Adam will be presented the “Pip” award at camp before campers and friends. In September, he will receive the award at the annual Alumni and Friends weekend at Camp YMCA Kanawana. A Montrealer, Chris is a dynamic educator and social entrepreneur. He has been recognized nationally and internationally for designing and implementing environmental and sustainability-related programs. He teaches environmental leadership, directs the sustainability & Living Campus initiative at Dawson College in Montreal, and is the executive director of the Earthvalues Institute, a non-profit charity specializing in using a Nature as Mentor theme in teaching.

About the “Pip” Award
The “Pip” Award is given annually to a former camper, counsellor or supervisor at Camp YMCA Kanawana who best exemplifies the values of selflessness and contribution to the community. The award is a memorial to Philip “Pip” Caddell (1913‐2004), Second World War officer, Montreal executive and community volunteer, and his grandson, James Caddell (1973‐2005), UN Peacekeeper, NGO Worker and public servant. Both attended Camp YMCA Kanawana – “Pip” as a camper in 1928 and James as a camper and counsellor in the 1980s and 1990s. The “Pip” Award Committee is composed of Kanawana alumni.

Previous recipients include Richard “Itche” Kerr, a volunteer working with the physically challenged; Richard Patten, former Ontario cabinet minister; the late Stuart McLean, broadcaster and author; Bruce Netherwood, YMCA leader and author; John Cleghorn, former CEO of the Royal Bank; the late Sam Lazarus, NGO volunteer and the Lazarus family; Jeniene Philips Birks, former broadcaster and community volunteer; Terry “Aislin” Mosher, editorial cartoonist and supporter of the disadvantaged; and Carol Skinner, a fearless advocate for people with ALS.

Source: The YMCAs of Québec
Information:
Sean Day / 514 849-5331/ sean.day@ymcaquebec.org
Andrew Caddell / 613 866-2967 / pipson52@hotmail.com

About Camp YMCA Kanawana
Camp YMCA Kanawana has been contributing to the well‐being and success of youth ages 7 to 20 for over 120 years. Children take part in a safe and unique outdoor experience while learning about the environment and sustainable development. A study by the American Camp Association has shown that the camp experience has a positive long‐term impact on the quality of life and life skills of youth such as self‐esteem, leadership, environmental awareness, and the ability to develop lasting friendships. Established in 1894, Camp YMCA Kanawana was the first summer residential camp in Québec. It is accredited by the Association des camps du Québec and is a founding member of the Association. For more information, see our Facebook or Twitter pages.

About the YMCAs of Québec
The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 34 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 115,000 people. The first YMCA in North America was founded in Montréal in November 1851.The YMCAs of Québec is part of the Canadian network of 47 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.