Manitoba Camping Association

4 MANITOBA CAMPING ASSOCIATION MAY 16, 2019 By Shel Zolkewich for the Free Press S ummer camp. It's a rite of passage for countless youngsters across the province. And for kids living with medical challenges, BB Camp in Lake of the Woods near Kenora is where memories will be made this year. For children living with Type 1 diabetes, Camp Briardale welcomes campers this August. And for kids with childhood arthritis, Camp Limitless holds its first camp in July. Both camps will be hosted at BB Camp, located just outside Kenora on Town Island. Ted Lockie, Director of Camp and Youth Programs for Diabetes Canada, said it's all about creating a sense of belonging for children and their families living with Type 1 diabetes. "Camp Briardale is a place where everyone gets it. It's a place where everyone can learn skills to manage their condition, while feeling supported and connected," he said. Lockie said the activities offered this summer take campers to the water for canoeing, kayaking, swimming and then to dry land for the climbing wall, archery and the challenging high ropes course. Hiking, daylong canoe trips, shelter-building and the ever-popular evening programs around the campfire round out the week. Diabetes Canada's camps began in eastern Ontario in 1953 with the prevailing focus of providing children living with Type 1 diabetes the opportunity to enjoy an authentic camp experience in a medically accommodating environment under the care of a dedicated team of professionals. Known as D Camps, there are currently nine operating from coast to coast in Canada. Camp Briardale is the newest, operating at BB Camp since 2017. "Our campers get the chance to meet and interact with other children and staff living with Type 1 diabetes," Lockie said. "Many of these relationships develop into lifelong friendships with others facing similar challenges." Registration is now open for Camp Briardale at diabetes.ca/camps/summer-camps/camp- briardale. The cost of the camp is $700, with subsidies available thanks to generous donors. Allison Kirkland, Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the Arthritis Society's Prairie Region, said the hard work of launching a new camp is done and excitement is building for the event. Camp Limitless will welcome campers with childhood arthritis to Lake of the Woods for the first time this July. "We first had to do a needs assessment, a feasibility study to determine whether there were any existing camps in Manitoba that could meet the unique needs of Camp Limitless, gather information from the Arthritis Society's other camps, gain the involvement and support of local pediatric rheumatology professionals and set up an advisory committee comprised of pediatric health- care professionals, young adults who have had arthritis since childhood and parents of children living with arthritis," Kirkland said. This year's campers will be treated to ziplining, canoeing, kayaking, nature crafts, beading, astronomy, outdoor cooking, archery and plenty more at the inaugural camp. "Our goal at camp is to provide a balance of group activities, education and independence building programs. We value the opportunity for children to connect with others living with a childhood rheumatic disease and for them to become leaders, advocates and champions," Kirkland said. Because the needs of children with arthritis vary greatly, medical and trained camp staff keep a close watch on all campers. "Extra rest and transition time will be built into the day to ensure the campers are better able to manage the fatigue that's common to their condition," Kirkland said. "Ultimately, we want children with arthritis to have a traditional camp, where they feel supported, encouraged and understood by everyone, whether they are staff, volunteers or other campers." Camp registration is open until June 13 at arthritis.ca/camplimitless. The camp offers a highly subsidized rate of $100 per camper thanks to the generosity of individuals, foundations and businesses. ● Volleyball Basketball Adv Track Track & Field Gymnastics Judo Soccer Multi-Sport Wrestling 58th ANNUAL LEGION ATHLETIC CAMP International Peace Garden July 14 th —August 10 th , 2019 FOR INFORMATION & REGISTRATION legionathleticcamp.com e-mail: register@legionathleticcamp.com phone: 204-305-0991 BUILDING A SENSE OF BELONGING Submitted photo Submitted photo "ULTIMATELY, WE WANT CHILDREN WITH ARTHRITIS TO HAVE A TRADITIONAL CAMP, WHERE THEY FEEL SUPPORTED, ENCOURAGED AND UNDERSTOOD BY EVERYONE, WHETHER THEY ARE STAFF, VOLUNTEERS OR OTHER CAMPERS." – Allison Kirkland, Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the Arthritis Society's Prairie Region

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