Mom and daughter Vanessa and Naiya return for a second summer of adventure at Camp Merrywood
At 10-year-old, Naiya is a joyful, adventurous girl whose happiest times are spent surrounded by loved ones and the activities she adores. From board games to sports and everything in between, friendly competition never fails to bring out Naiya’s biggest laughs, turning every activity into a celebration. In the summer, Naiya truly sparkles at Easter Seals Ontario’s Family Camp, where she is free to explore, play, and shine exactly as she is. By her side through every adventure, Naiya’s mom, Vanessa, has accompanied her for the two years she’s attended Easter Seals’ Camp Merrywood. Describing their camp experience, Vanessa shares, “It’s an action-packed few days, and she’s always excited when she hears we’re going.”
“It’s an action-packed few days, and she’s always excited when she hears we’re going.”
For Naiya, who lives with cerebral palsy and requires support with daily mobility and self-care, the chance to attend a camp with accessible activities has been transformative. Vanessa explains, “We don’t have to decide which activities she can or can’t do. She can participate in the ones she wants. And it’s really nice that the other kids, including siblings, are all so great with each other.” At camp, Naiya dives into a wide range of accessible activities at her own pace and on her own terms. She loves heading out on the sailboat—her “party boat,” as Vanessa calls it—cranking up the music and soaking in the fresh air. From energetic games of squash and soccer to peaceful canoe rides on the lake, Naiya embraces every activity with enthusiasm.
Your support creates opportunities for children and parents to explore, recharge, and feel part of a supportive community at Easter Seals Family Camp.
Having attended camp for two years, Vanessa and Naiya treasure the connections they’ve formed with other families and the sense of community that continues to build with every year. Reflecting on Naiya’s favourite memories from camp, Vanessa shares, “I think for her this year, it was the friendships and seeing the people that she remembered from last summer.” These connections to other families have brought Vanessa a quiet, comforting sense of belonging at camp. Even in moments without words, she feels understood, surrounded by families who share similar experiences: “We don’t even have to be talking … it’s nice to sit there and have other families who are going through similar things.”
“We don’t have to decide which activities she can or can’t do. She can participate in the ones she wants. And it’s really nice that the other kids, including siblings, are all so great with each other.”
These moments of belonging, connection, and adventure at Easter Seals Ontario’s Family Camp are made possible by caring donors whose support creates opportunities each summer for Vanessa, Naiya, and families like theirs to explore, recharge, and feel part of a community that understands their journey.