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CDI offers two summer sessions of Camp Wimodausis in July and August on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Every summer, children’s laughter echoes from the basketball court at CDI’s St. Clair Gardens location as Camp Wimodausis gets into full swing. Since 1982, the camp has been a refuge for children ages 6 to 11 whose social and behaviour problems prevent them from attending other summer day camps.
“The program is highly-structured to maximize opportunities for success,” says Richard Mah, camp director. “Through praise and positive reinforcement from counsellors, our campers are able to participate in fun and educational activities including arts and crafts, sports, music, swimming, special interest clubs, weekly field trips, nature hikes and theme days.”
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For children like Katy, the camp’s low staff to camper ratio (1 staff: 3 campers) means she receives the attention and supervision she needs to engage in positive interactions with the other campers and get the most out of her camp experience.
While campers enjoy traditional camp activities, they also participate in CDI’s Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®) program throughout the four-week session, which helps them develop self-control, emotion regulation and problem-solving skills.
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Camp counsellors reinforce the campers’ new skills by incorporating SNAP language into their interactions and praising the children when they demonstrate the skills they’ve learned.
“Before Katy started at Camp Wimodausis, she began her summer not wanting to do anything and having a hard time making friends,” says Cindy, Katy’s mother. “When things didn’t go her way, she would get frustrated and have a tantrum,” she says. “Now Katy comes home from camp with a smile on her face and is better able to manage her behaviour.”
Camp Wimodausis is offered free of charge, although there is a $25 application fee. To learn more, visit our website.
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Camp Towhee: A place where every child belongs
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At Camp Towhee, campers are taught to celebrate the many positive attributes of their learning differences, as well as those of their fellow campers.
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For children and youth with learning disabilities and mental health (LDMH) challenges, there is a special place in Haliburton, Ontario, where they can be themselves, often for the first time in their lives. This is Camp Towhee.
Since 1968, Camp Towhee has hosted more than 4,800 campers with LDMH – many of whom may not succeed at a traditional residential camp due to social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
“I don’t have to worry that I’m not good enough here,” says 13-year-old Keiran.
His best friend Sean feels the same way: “At Camp Towhee, I aim to have fun every day and do what feels comfortable for me,” Sean says. “I feel safe in this environment, which helps me push myself outside my boundaries.”
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Keiran and Sean have been attending camp together for three years and hope to become camp counsellors one day.
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Campers learn to express themselves and regulate their emotions through adventure-based learning programs complete with canoe tripping, waterfront activities, music, art, a high ropes course and a climbing wall.
“We provide our campers with a safe and supportive environment and appropriate individualized programming where they can take calculated risks and feel safe enough to let go of whatever barriers to success might be in their way,” says Nicola Bangham, camp director.
For Keiran, Camp Towhee has helped him see that he is not alone. “I’ve learned that I’m not the only person like me out there,” he says.
Camp Towhee is open to boys and girls ages 10-18 with LDMH issues. It is a fee-based program and bursaries are available. For more information, visit www.camptowhee.ca.
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Rexall Foundation helps send kids to camp
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Left to right: The SNAP Dragon mascot; Mischa Kowall, VP of Rexall Foundation; Dominic Daly, Camp Wimodausis Counsellor; Marisa Mammoliti, Regional Director, Rexall; Nikki Reid-Thomas, Store Manager, Rexall; Shauna Klein, CDI’s Director of Fund Development, Marketing and Communications; Andy Segovia, Camp Wimodausis Counsellor; Richard Mah, Director of Camp Wimodausis and Anna Vetro, Camp Wimodausis Counsellor
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On July 17, representatives from the Rexall Foundation visited St. Clair Gardens to present the Camp Wimodausis team with a cheque for $30,500. This generous donation will allow more children to attend both Camp Wimodausis and Camp Towhee.
“We’re proud to support Camp Towhee and Camp Wimodausis because we believe these camps are truly aligned with the mandate of the Rexall Foundation,” says Mischa Kowall, Vice President, Rexall Foundation. “These camps have helped hundreds of high-risk, disadvantaged children get back on the right track and just be kids again. Letting kids be kids is one of the principles of the Rexall Foundation,” he says.
Since 2002, the Rexall Foundation has helped build strong and vibrant communities by supporting numerous charitable organizations. Rexall’s family includes some of the most caring, dedicated and passionate people in Canada and members of the Rexall team can often be found lending their support to worthwhile causes in the communities they call home.
Thank you to the Rexall team from everyone at CDI. We greatly appreciate your generous support of our programs!
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