Camp for every age and stage

Our Teen & Leadership program allows young people affected by cancer the chance for self-discovery and empowerment during the difficult transition into adulthood. Camper Virginia had first heard about camp from her doctors during a visit to SickKids.

Virginia recalls, “I was a Camper for eleven years, attending overnight camp every summer, and moving into 7scape for teens as I got older. I went to many WAC (weekend at camp) sessions, and experienced fantastic leadership excursions, such as the Algonquin canoe trip, the winter camping dog sledding trip and the whitewater canoe trip, called ‘Upstream’.”

In May 2019, Virginia received her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in Toronto. Requirements of the award, such as the adventurous journey, were fulfilled through fun and challenging excursions through our Teen & Leadership program.

“I did the Algonquin canoe trip for my practice journey, followed by Upstream for my Duke of Edinburgh qualifying journey. As someone with a physical disability, the idea of a wilderness expedition would have been daunting. But, with camp, I knew I would be safe with people who understood and would accommodate my physical limitations without taking away from my experience of the trip.”

Virginia now studies cell and molecular biology and psychology at the University of Toronto, and is considering graduate or medical school as her future.

“I cannot express how lucky I was to achieve my Duke of Edinburgh Award through camp! Camp leaders helped me every step of the way, took the time to meet with me, and answering any questions I had. As a sheltered only child with physical limitations, camp gave me the chance to build friendships, discover myself, and do things I never thought I could!”

*Camper and family names and images have been changed to protect privacy