YMCA Wanakita Announces Future Home of Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre

A new era of youth leadership is taking shape along the shores of Koshlong Lake.

YMCA Wanakita is proud to announce plans to build the Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre, a $2.5 million investment in the future of youth leadership, connection, and reconciliation. With construction set to begin in December, we have a significant start, and we look forward to engaging with donors to be part of Perk's Place.

For more than 50 years, YMCA Wanakita’s Student Counsellor (SC) Program has been a cornerstone of leadership development for young people across Canada. The two-year program helps participants develop essential life and leadership skills through outdoor education, teamwork, and mentorship. Nearly all of Wanakita’s summer staff are graduates of the SC Program, a testament to its lasting impact.

The Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre will ensure that this legacy continues for generations to come. The centre will include accessible spaces and amenities as well as an Indigenous History Library. It will also serve as a year-round hub for learning, ensuring the spirit of leadership thrives in every season.

“At Wanakita, leadership is woven into everything we do,” says Andy Gruppe, VP of Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education at YMCA Wanakita. “The Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre will carry forward a legacy of learning, connection, and stewardship. It's a space where student counsellors will build on their leadership skill sets, learning to become greater leaders within the camp and back in their home communities.”

The centre is named in honour of Wayne Perkins, one of the founding leaders of the SC Program, who passed away in early 2025. Wayne’s belief in the transformative power of camp and his lifelong dedication to the YMCA continue to inspire campers and staff alike. 

“This project is about more than a building, it’s about ensuring that young people continue to have a place where they can grow into confident, compassionate leaders who make a difference in their communities,” says Manny Figueiredo, President and CEO of YMCA Hamilton | Burlington | Brantford & YMCA Wanakita.

You can help us lead the way

YMCA Wanakita is actively seeking donors and funders to help us mark this next chapter in our long tradition of building strong, compassionate, and resilient leaders. 

Alumni, families, community partners, and supporters are invited to join us in bringing this vision to life. Together, we can build a space that empowers future generations to lead with purpose and heart. 

To learn more or make a donation, visit: ymcahbb.ca/wayne-perkins-leadership-centre