My Son Thrives at a Special Needs Camp

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I loved every part of camping — getting up with the bell, the warm mist coming off the grass, the sunshine, the sounds of the activities, the games. I loved making new friends and spending my summers with amazing mentors.

I wanted my two sons to experience the same spirit, the same smells, sounds, sights and that sense of accomplishment. When our younger son, Ryan, was born with a developmental disability and with cerebral palsy, I was determined that he, too, would get to share in the joy and personal growth that I believed is created and nurtured at summer camp.

We started Ryan out at a day camp at our home town of Tilsonburg, Ontario, when he was about eight years old. I took every other day off work to be with him because there was no infrastructure then, no training for youth or recreational workers on how to include people with developmental and physical disabilities. You can use camps.ca to find local special needs camps.

What did he like about camp? "Dad," he said to me, "I made lots of friends."

When Ryan was 11, he went away to camp for two weeks. The camp staff said: "You tell us what he needs and we can make it happen."

One of the older campers, who was 14, was Ryan's mentor and stayed with him during the day. Ryan wasn't yet toilet trained and needed help in feeding and staying on task. But he swam and rode a horse that summer. That was six years ago and he still talks about it.

For the past five years, Ryan has been going to an Easter Seals camp, where he now is a counsellor-in- training. He helps out with the dishes and swimming and canoeing lessons.

Mandy Koolen, co-ordinator for Easter Seals' 66 camps, says their programs are designed to ensure that kids achieve their maximum potential, regardless of their ability.

I know it works. I've seen first hand how kids develop confidence and self esteem and leave camp saying, "I can do this."

Ryan now is 20 and a leader at school. He volunteers with senior citizens and reads to a kindergarten class. He's working at a hardware store and at a health club. He's visible, he's seen helping out. Being at camp was a critical part of his development. Camp becomes everything for a child with a disability.

All of a sudden, they're holding their heads high. Their faces are lit up. I've seen it. I know it happens.