Community support means camp connections for Lansdowne kids

Lansdowne’s Recreation department has three streams of camp services that it offers every year to help make sure everyone has a safe and fun summer season.

Through Every Kid Counts (EKC), Lansdowne clients are able to attend camps being put on by other organizations in the community with a dedicated Support Worker, who will offer them whatever assistance they need to have an integrated camp experience.

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) camp is offered through Lansdowne, and is for clients aged 10 to 18. Campers in this program have a level of independence and self-direction that safely allows for a three youth to one adult ratio.

Finally, Camp and Recreation (CARE), also offered through Lansdowne, is for clients aged four to 18. In these programs, each camper is paired with a Support Worker who will provide one-on-one, individualized support and encouragement to allow for successful participation in the programming. There are also some additional staff on hand with this program. 

Emily Rigg, Supervisor of CARE, noted,

“We strive to create a supportive and inclusive camp program for our participants."

"Some participants may not be able to have that camp experience in the community with similar peers, so it's an opportunity for them to get to engage in camp programming and have a fun summer experience.”

The cost per camper per week is $800.

Emily said that while that might seem high compared to community camps, “when you factor in the level of support that's being received, it's actually quite reduced from what it would be.”

Lansdowne is able to offset some of the costs for families thanks to the generosity of donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Brantford, which recently presented a cheque for $25,000 for Lansdowne’s camp programs.

CARE is “just a very different experience,” Emily said, noting that besides the one-on-one support, each week of camp is capped at 12 clients for a more intimate and supportive dynamic; there are also a number of resources available for participants, such as noise cancelling headphones and visual schedules, which aren’t necessarily used at other camps.

“I think families really appreciate the support we’re able to provide while still giving that camp fun experience,”

Emily said.

Each day at CARE, there’s a mix of activities, including arts and crafts, STEM, sensory, outdoor play, and water play.

“We also bring in lots of guests,” Emily said. These have included a music therapist, who facilitated a circle time group music experience; Jungle Jamz Travelling Reptile Show; and the Brantford firefighters, who gave the campers a chance to sit in their firetruck and try on their equipment.

“It’s really sweet,” Emily said.

Beyond the structured portions of the day, “There’s just those natural moments when we're trying to encourage peer interaction and social opportunities for our clients with like-minded peers, who may not get that opportunity somewhere else.”

CARE is run at Bellview Community Centre, which has a playground on site, and is within short walking distance of two additional community playgrounds.

Each week the camp is run, there’s a trip to Brant Park so campers can experience the big pool.

CARE is open to families who have an active contract with Lansdowne’s Respite Services department.

Registration for CARE fills up almost immediately every year. Because the demand for spots is so high, “We prioritize to try to service as many families as possible with one week,” whether one of the four on offer in the summer, or the March Break camp, Emily said. Even then, not everyone is able to attend camp each year.

“We would love to be able to run additional weeks, because I know the need is there from families needing summer care, and the desire is there,” Emily said. However, space limitations at Lansdowne and availability limitations at the rental site – as well as staffing limitations – means for now, “That’s a future dream."