Tim Hortons Camp Day is back on Wednesday, July 16th, with all proceeds from hot coffee, iced coffee, specialty Camp Day donuts, and bracelets going toward sending local youth to life-changing camp experiences.
“Camp Day is a very special day that is held once a year within our Tim Hortons,” said Linda Derksen, co-owner of the Tim Hortons locations in Morden, Winkler, and Carman. “It's a day that we work really hard to sell enough coffee, iced coffee, donuts, some bracelets to earn money to send deserving kids to camp all across Canada and some in the U.S.”
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Local camps and local kids
According to Jeff Derksen, also a co-owner, local youth benefit directly from Camp Day.
“In Western Canada, we have one in Kananaskis, Alberta, and actually one here in Manitoba in the Whiteshell that we had just got going when COVID hit… It's actually just about ready to go again,” he said.
When asked how many kids are typically sent to camp, Sarah Friesen, General Manager, said, “There’s several thousands across Canada — two kids from each community.”
How to support Camp Day
Whether you're grabbing your morning coffee or looking for a sweet treat, nearly everything you buy at Tim Hortons on Camp Day helps make camp a reality for local kids.
“Number one is just regular hot coffee of any kind, any kind of iced coffee,” said Linda. “We can also offer Take Twelves, which are a perfect thing for people to pick up, take to your family, friends, to work… And all of our locations have these delicious Camp Day donuts.”
She added, “We have really cute Camp Day bracelets in all colors to wear that will support the camps… and we have badges that you can buy — they’re $2 badges to support the camps as well.”
Donations aren’t limited to just one day. “If you go onto the Tims app and you hit the community button, then you can choose to round up your purchases every time. That actually helps throughout the whole year for our camps,” said Linda.
Yes, There’s Chocolate. A Lot of It.
The Camp Day donuts are more than just a sweet treat — they’re a chocolate lover’s dream, and they help send kids to camp.
“They are a chocolate cake donut dipped in chocolate, and then we have a marble chocolate shaving topping on it,” said Friesen.
With layers of rich chocolate flavour and a texture that strikes the perfect balance between moist and cakey, it’s no wonder they’re a Camp Day favourite. The topping — a swirl of marbled chocolate shavings — adds a final flourish that makes each donut look just as good as it tastes.
“These donuts are the kind of thing you buy for the cause, and then keep buying because they’re ridiculously good,” joked Friesen.
Available for a limited time, Camp Day donuts are $2 each at participating locations — and 100% of the proceeds support sending local youth to Tim Hortons camps. Chocolate with a cause? Yes, please.
Pembina Valley steps up
Tim Hortons locations in Morden, Winkler, and Carman have a history of strong community support.
“It always touches my heart — the support from this community,” said Linda. “Everyone is always willing to give a little bit extra… People are just so giving here.”
Friesen added, “They are incredibly generous in our area.”
Jeff agreed. “We had a three-store total of just under $14,000 last year — and we’d like to push hard and see if we can break through $15,000 this year.”
He emphasized the legacy behind the initiative. “The Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation has done incredible work over the years. That is why this day is probably the most important day of the year for us… The foundation keeps coming up with new and hopefully improved ways to raise funds.”
So whether it's one coffee or ten, Tim Hortons invites you to give generously — one sip at a time.