“Camp provides a place for kids to exist outside of their families, and that’s a really good thing.”
“Camp provides a place for kids to exist outside of their families, and that’s a really good thing,” explains Joanne, whose son, Mattie, has been attending Easter Seals camp since he was eleven years old.
Mattie, who is non-verbal and relies on a wheelchair for mobility, is now 24 and has had the opportunity to participate in the new Voyager program for young adults at both Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeden. The Voyager program is geared toward young adults and was reintroduced at Easter Seals camps in 2022 after many older campers, like Mattie, demonstrated the demand for recreational programming through their high participation rates in our Virtual Camp platform. “This is a big development and so appreciated by parents and campers alike,” shares Joanne.
“What I like is that the staff are willing to meet them where they’re at, doesn’t matter who they are.”
While a stay away from home can feel overwhelming for Easter Seals campers and families at any age, Mattie and Joanne have discovered a reassuring source of comfort in the caring and supportive approach of our camp staff. “I’ve always encouraged parents to send their kids to camp and its always been loved by the kids and the respite appreciated by the families,” Joanne shares. “It’s a leap of faith and you have to know they’re going to be okay and well cared for… What I like is that the staff are willing to meet them where they’re at, doesn’t matter who they are.” The first time Mattie took his communication device to camp, the staff took the time to understand and use it to help Mattie communicate. It’s now a fixture at camp with Mattie DJ as he has a selection of songs within his music player option on his device.
When kids first come to Easter Seals camp, they can often be hesitant or too shy to try out new activities because they’ve never had the chance to try them before. This has sometimes been the case for Mattie, so it is greatly appreciated that the counsellors take the time to understand where each of the campers and encourage their participation; creating a safe place for them to try new activities and discover their preferences.
Your support will help ensure more campers like Mattie have the opportunity to attend a fully accessible Easter Seals camp.
For most of his summers at camp, Mattie has been a dedicated Merrywood camper. The beautiful Big Rideau Lake that surrounds the property has been a draw for Mattie, who has always loved water. “Camp is important because it gets them outside. And so many children like Mattie don’t get outside.” Over the years, Mattie has had the opportunity to try out a huge range of activities, and especially enjoys those which involve getting out on the lake. Some of Mattie’s favourite memories involve sailing, whitewater rafting, and a canoe tent-camping trip. “He really liked having the opportunity to go out and wake up in a tent,” Joanne adds.
In addition to exploring new activities, the element of social connection and inclusion at camp remains very important to Mattie and Joanne. “Kids like Mattie can’t always play on sports teams, and they can’t always have those extracurricular activities that other children have,” Joanne explains. “But camp is something that they can just do and be themselves. They can get messy, be goofy, and participate in the talent shows. They have the opportunity to totally just have fun and not be judged.”
“It’s so important for them, because it helps them to grow and to be independent. Without family members and caregivers, they really get a chance to come out of their shell.”
While in-person programming was suspended during the pandemic, Mattie joined up with other campers through Easter Seals’ Virtual Camp program. He made new friends and he wanted to reconnect with them and spend some in-person camp time together. This led him to try out Camp Woodeden for the first time last summer, and he had a blast! “You see the kids when they come back every year, and they’re so happy to see each other. And some of them only see each other once a year,” shares Joanne. “It’s so important for them, because it helps them to grow and to be independent. Without family members and caregivers, they really get a chance to come out of their shell.”
Your generous support of Easter Seals camp is instrumental in fostering growth, adventure, and friendship for kids like Mattie. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all Easter Seals donors who have made these life-changing experiences possible, and we hope you continue to be a part of our journey in providing more transformative opportunities to future campers. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of countless children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities.