Educational Bursaries
Camp Courage graduates have access to several bursary opportunities to help support their continued education and training.
There are currently three opportunities available:
A. CAMP COURAGE GRADUATE BURSARIES — $500
Camp Courage may award up to three $500 bursaries to eligible graduates to help support continued education or training.
AMY LISSA MACKAY MEMORIAL BURSARY — $500
Amy (right), inspiring a youth.
Honouring a Life of Service, Compassion & Courage
About Amy
Amy Lissa MacKay was a founding member of the Camp Courage team and a dedicated police officer who devoted her career to serving and supporting others.
Amy served with Halifax Regional Police for 23 years. Her career included patrol, community response, the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team, the Public Safety Unit, and detective work in Criminal Investigations, Sexual Assault and Fraud. She also proudly served on a United Nations mission to South Sudan and volunteered as a peer referral agent through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
Amy was recognized with numerous awards for her police work, community service and volunteerism. She was intelligent, compassionate, hardworking and deeply committed to helping people. Her contribution to Camp Courage began at its foundation, and her influence continues through the young people she helped inspire.
About the Bursary
The Amy Lissa MacKay Memorial Bursary was established to honour Amy’s legacy of service, compassion, leadership and courage while supporting Camp Courage graduates as they continue their education and training.
ANDREW BEDNARZ MEMORIAL BURSARY — $500
Honouring a Life of Courage, Leadership & Service
Andrew Bednarz
About Andrew
Andrew Bednarz began his career in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving from 1991–1997, before joining Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency in 1997. Throughout his fire service career, he advanced as a leader, becoming Lieutenant in 2008, Training Officer in 2009, Captain in 2010 and Divisional Commander in 2013.
Andrew passed away on December 4, 2015, at just 46 years old. He was highly respected and well-liked by those who knew and worked with him. Near the end of his life, Andrew shared with his wife, Carla, that he worried he might someday be forgotten. Carla loved the idea of creating a bursary in his memory and believed Andrew would have loved it as well.
About the Bursary
The Andrew Bednarz Memorial Bursary was established so Andrew’s name, spirit and commitment to the fire service can live on by inspiring and supporting Camp Courage graduates pursuing the profession he loved — firefighting.
ANDRÉA SPERANZA FOUNCER’S COURAGE BURSARY — $500
Recognizing the Courage to Take the Next Step
Andréa Speranza, Founder of Camp Courage
About the Bursary
The Andréa Speranza Founder’s Courage Bursary celebrates the original purpose of Camp Courage: helping young people find the courage to take their next step.
The $500 bursary may be awarded to Camp Courage graduates pursuing education, training or another meaningful opportunity that moves them toward their future.
Unlike a bursary tied to one specific emergency-service profession, the Founder’s Courage Bursary recognizes that courage can lead graduates in many directions. Recipients will demonstrate how Camp Courage helped them discover something about themselves, overcome an obstacle, pursue an opportunity or find the confidence to move forward.
How to apply: Complete the application using the link provided.
IMPORTANT: You must be signed in to a Google account to access and complete the Camp Courage bursary application.
B. MEDAVIE HEALTHED BURSARY — $1,000
Every Camp Courage graduate is eligible to receive $1,000 off tuition when attending Medavie HealthEd for paramedic education.
How to apply: Email Brad.Reid@medaviehealthed.com for information and next steps.
C. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GRADUATE BURSARY — $2,500
St. John Ambulance provides one $2,500 bursary each year to an eligible Camp Courage graduate.
How to apply: Review the attached bursary information and complete the application provided.
St. John Ambulance Graduate Bursary Link
Take advantage of the opportunities available to you as a Camp Courage graduate. Be sure to review the requirements and application process for each program carefully. If you require further information or assistance, email andrea@campcourage.ca.