Learnings from the Canadian Medical Camps Summit

Campfire Circle was proud to host the Canadian Medical Camps Summit at our office in Toronto, a national gathering of camp leaders working toward a common goal: ensuring children and youth with serious illness experience joy, connection, and belonging through camp.

Over two days, the collaborative sessions reinforced what Campfire Circle sees every day in our programs – the importance of creating spaces where young people feel accepted and celebrated for who they are.

As Victoria Povilaitis, Director of Impact and Program Development at Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, shared, “One of the key findings about medical specialty camps is the top outcome for young people is a sense of belonging.”

For many campers, camp is the first time they are surrounded by peers who share similar medical experiences. In these environments, young people are no longer “the only one” but are part of a community. This sense of belonging is at the heart of Campfire Circle’s mission and is foundational to everything we do.

Another key focus was the importance of safer, more inclusive spaces, particularly for neurodivergent campers and those navigating complex emotional experiences. Trish McKeough, a Toronto-based therapist who shared her insights at the Summit, spoke about the importance of presence and empathy in creating inclusive environments.

“It starts from being calm and regulated yourself,” says Trish. “And reminding yourself that all emotions are valid. That what people are feeling makes sense for who they are and the life they’ve lived.”

She also highlighted the value of embracing different ways of thinking and being, noting that inclusive camp environments are built on curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn.

Finally, the Summit itself demonstrated the power of coming together as a sector.

“There’s such a wealth of knowledge,” Trish says. “To be able to share that knowledge, exchange ideas, and build community and excitement for the work camps do – I think it’s really spectacular.”

Campfire Circle is grateful to be part of this collaborative community. Together, we are strengthening the future of medical camps and ensuring more children and families experience the joy, connection, and belonging that camp makes possible.