Accessibility at Campfire Circle

One of our campers, Noah, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was just three months old. Then, at six months old, he developed cancer in his spinal cord, which left him paralyzed. Camp is truly a magical place for him: fun, welcoming, and accessible. Thanks to the generous support of donors, he is able to rocket around on paved pathways in his wheelchair. With just over 1 kilometre of paved areas that connect buildings and activities at Muskoka, Noah and other campers with mobility devices are able to maneuver with ease and agency.

A Place for Everyone

At Campfire Circle, both our Toronto office and Muskoka site have achieved Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, a program that works with organizations to rate the level of meaningful access to the built environment, based on the holistic user experience of people with varying disabilities affecting their mobility, vision, and hearing.

At Muskoka, our sports and leisure programs are universally accessible, which means Noah is just a kid like any other kid, and loves the opportunity to take on the challenge of our accessible high ropes adventure course.

“My mom was freaked out about the ropes course. But when I knew it was wheelchair accessible nothing was going to stop me from getting up into the treetops way up high! Mom and I are both scared of heights, but she was way more scared than me!” he says.

Most recently, donors who supported our Path 2 Play campaign were integral in reviving our waterfront. Our facilities now include an E-Z Launch on the canoe dock, which enables those with mobility devices to move from a wheelchair into a canoe or kayak without assistance.

“My mom says I’m like a little fish when I’m in the water. I can swim totally on my own. I propel myself just with my arms. I love the freedom of being out of my wheelchair and darting through the water,” says Noah.

The new, barrier-free fishing dock has had a significant impact at Campfire Circle Muskoka. Whether or not campers catch a fish, lazing around the fishing dock is always a popular pastime. Campers on active chemotherapy treatment need to remain cool with easy access to shaded areas. The newly upgraded fishing dock allows campers in wheelchairs to rest fully against the edge of the dock without having a bench as a barrier, providing them access to both water and shade.

Accessibility Is Critical to our Camp Experience

Camper Josh uses a mobility aid to help him get around. While he was shy at the beginning of the week, he soon became more comfortable with his cabin mates and counsellors. By day four, Josh’s whole cabin was fishing at the new dock, when he casually turned to his counsellor and said: “It’s pretty cool here, I like it.” Josh shared that he finally felt like he belonged since he was included in every activity, regardless of his mobility challenges.

Not only did Josh become part of a very tight crew of campers, but he is one of many who are able to experience camp with complete independence and inclusion, because of donors’ generous support.

Gatt’s Lodge, our dining hall, features noise reduction panels, as some children experience post-chemotherapy hearing loss. The dining hall seating is also inclusive – seating can be moved in and out to accommodate wheelchairs in any location.

Our campitheatre, where we share stories around a campfire at the end of the night, is now also fully accessible, so campers can stay with their cabin peers, regardless of where they want to gather round.

Campers gather round the campfire circle. Photo credit: Campfire Circle

“Every year at camp is great, I get to spend the week with friends, laugh, have fun and get my yearly fix of everything camp! The biggest change I’ve seen has to be the campitheatre, it is huge and has space for everyone – including me. Before, I would have to sit at the very top in my wheelchair, looking down at my cabin sitting together. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy myself, my counsellors always tried to make the best of it for me. This year I was prepared again to sit separately from my cabin, but I was able to follow them down, right to the front and sit alongside them. It might seem like a little thing to most, but to me it made me feel included. Camp is the place where I feel most at home, and the new campitheatre is the beating heart of camp,” says camper Ryan

At our Rainbow Lake family camp, the iconic Bell Tower is accessible, featuring ramps that allow those with mobility devices to get all the way to the top with ease.

Our water area and splash pad allow campers to cool off and enjoy the water as they please. Families can walk into the splash area with strollers, mobility devices or with any other mobility or swimming aids to help them feel comfortable all day long.

With additional donor support, our hope is to make further accessibility improvements to our waterfront dock as well as include another E-Z Launch canoe access.

Accessible and Inclusive Programs Across the Province

In addition to our overnight campsites, we also offer year-round medically-accessible programming for children, youth and their families in their local communities. Available in the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Barrie, and Sudbury, programs are inclusive of kids on active treatment and provide programming for bereaved siblings and parents. These day camps, March break camps, family weekend camping trips, and virtual programs allow young campers to experience camp experience without having to leave the comforts of home.

“Accessibility is critical to our campers and to us,” says Alex Robertson, CEO of Campfire Circle. “By creating programs that are inclusive and accessible for all children and families, no matter where they are in their treatment journey, we are ensuring that everyone affected by cancer or serious illness has the opportunity to experience fun, friendship and a sense of community.”

To learn more about accessibility at Campfire Circle, visit our Accessibility page: