Every year, Chloe looks forward to her time at Easter Seals Ontario camp, a cherished tradition initiated by her discovery of Camp Woodeden in 2017.
Every year, Chloe looks forward to her time at Easter Seals Ontario camp, a cherished tradition initiated by her discovery of Camp Woodeden in 2017. After five fun-filled summers at Camp Woodeden, Chloe embarked on an exciting new chapter last year, attending Camp Merrywood for the first time. Today, Chloe credits much of her personal growth to her time at Easter Seals camp, which year after year has offered her a supportive space to grow and develop into the person she is today, a bubbly, adventurous girl and deeply caring friend.
“Easter Seals camp in general, it’s just inclusive! No matter what physical disability you have. And when you come here, you get to meet a bunch of people like you with other disabilities, or sometimes they have the same disability.”
Easter Seals camps hold a special place in Chloe’s heart. The commitment to inclusive and accessible programming has allowed Chloe to meet countless other kids her age with physical disabilities and discover a sense of community. As Chloe passionately expresses, “Easter Seals camp in general, it’s just inclusive! No matter what physical disability you have. And when you come here, you get to meet a bunch of people like you with other disabilities, or sometimes they have the same disability.” For Chloe, the nurturing and encouraging camp environment has given her the confidence to be bold and expand her horizons, “from different activities to meeting new people.” Chloe explains, “I’m mostly a shy person so I don’t really make friends a lot, but when I’m at camp, I kind of get past my shyness and I get to meet new people like Asha and my friend Stella.”
As Chloe reflects on her camp memories, the camaraderie with fellow campers and counsellors shines through. Reflecting on an aspect of camp she considers most special, she shares, “my friends and definitely the funny times we’ve had with the counsellors and some of the other campers in my cabin.” Beyond the activities, Easter Seals camps foster an environment where laughter, friendship, and shared experiences become the threads weaving a tight-knit camp community.
Your support will help ensure more campers like Chloe have the opportunity to attend an accessible and inclusive Easter Seals camp.
What sets Easter Seals camps apart, according to Chloe, is the remarkable range of activities that push the boundaries of what she, and many other fellow campers, thought possible for themselves. Activities such as kayaking, sailing, high-ropes, and archery, among many others become not just recreational pastimes but avenues of empowerment. One of Chloe’s top camp memories is experiencing canoeing for her first time at Camp Merrywood, something she notes was “definitely a big thing that I never thought I’d be able to do.” Chloe lights up as she reflects on the experience, sharing, “I’ve never been on the water other than swimming, so it was cool and exciting but then it was also calming and peaceful at the same time.”
“At camp, they let you be independent. And if they do think you need something, they will ask before they help you. They give you a chance to be independent and most other places that I’ve been, even though they’re trying, it’s not the same. They don’t make places as independent as Easter Seals camp.”
For Chloe, the impact of Easter Seals camps extends far beyond the physical activities. “It’s made me more independent,” she shares, highlighting a crucial aspect of her personal growth. Unlike other environments where assistance is provided regardless of whether it is wanted, camp encourages independence. “At camp, they let you be independent. And if they do think you need something, they will ask before they help you. They give you a chance to be independent and most other places that I’ve been, even though they’re trying, it’s not the same. They don’t make places as independent as Easter Seals camp.”
“Thank you for supporting Easter Seals camps,” Chloe says, extending her heartfelt thanks to the donors who make these transformative experiences possible. In expressing her gratitude, she echoes the sentiments of countless individuals whose lives have been touched by Easter Seals camps and the donors who play a pivotal role in creating these spaces where independence, joy, and lasting memories intertwine for individuals like Chloe.