Team Captain Profile: Brock Mercer

It was on an errand to the Sporting Life store for a new pair of running shoes that Brock Mercer learned about the 10K and decided to participate.

“At the time, my brother got sick. He was living in the U.S. and was isolated from us,” says Brock. “I saw the ad about supporting Campfire Circle through the Sporting Life 10K, and it was similar to what my family was feeling: being separated and disconnected. I signed up to show my support, both for my brother and for all the families going through a tough time.”

Brock’s participation in the 10K grew over the years, from running solo to leading a 50-person corporate team for Porsche Canada.

His involvement with Campfire Circle grew, too.

“I found myself with lieu time, and thought: what am I going to do…go fishing?? I’d rather go fishing with kids and support them,” he says.

That summer, he volunteered as a Cabin Counsellor at our Muskoka site.

“It was an eye-opening experience. Showing up for the kids and doing all the sports. Jumping in and out of the lake. I think my most memorable moment was in the dining hall, sharing a meal, and everyone was singing. It was just really magical.”

Brock’s firsthand experience is the driving force behind his passion for uniting a team. Here, he shares the strategies that have helped him thrive as a team captain.

1. Volunteer

   “I encourage anyone who’s trying to get their corporation involved in the 10K to go up there and volunteer. The best way to describe the impact you’re making is to experience the camp yourself. It’s very important to be able to convey that message again and again to really promote the cause and get people on board.”

2. Align with your corporate values

   “We have a program that defines our common purpose of delivering legendary customer experiences as well as the related service standards of integrity, relationships, excitement, and efficiency. This is something that Campfire Circle also represents, so our team can relate very well to the cause.“

3. Word of mouth and communication are your best tools

   “We use our town halls to recruit and promote our team, and we make sure to send follow up emails. For everything logistical, we set up a Teams channel.”

4. Make it a family outing

   “We invite friends and family to join and set an achievable fundraising goal. They can run, walk, and even push a stroller. Everyone can participate. We can’t think of a better way to spend Mother’s Day.”

5. Make fundraising interactive and build up suspense

   “In 2024, we ran a raffle and a successful bake sale. This year, we will hold a BBQ. We are also working on a few other ideas that we hope will make a significant impact. The planning is still in the early stages, so stay tuned for our team’s fundraising results!

If you’re interested in setting up a Sporting Life 10K corporate team, visit our Corporate Team Challenge page for more information.