Camper applications 2024

Submit your application. Julie and Caresse will review your application. Julie will contact you by phone in early August to let you know your acceptance status. ONCE you are accepted, Julie will send you the med form and waiver to complete and payment is due.

1. When do camper applications come out? Camper applications will be posted right here on Saturday June 15, 2024. While we are not a “first come/first in” program, it is important to complete your application in a timely manner.

2. What is Camp Dawn/when is Camp Dawn/where is Camp Dawn held? Camp Dawn will be held as a four day event in September 12-15, 2024. Camp is hosted at Campfire Circle - 433 Thompson Road West, Waterford Ontario.
 
3. What is the cost of camp? The cost of Camp Dawn for 2024 is $250. Unlike previous years, payment is NOT due until you have been accepted in mid August. A board member will call all campers personally to accept them and review paperwork needed. Payments can be made this year by check, etranfer or credit card. No cash payments will be accepted.

4.Who can attend Camp Dawn? Campers come from all across southwestern Ontario - if you are from a further distance, send us a message). Campers are survivors who have sustained a brain injury at some point in their life. Campers must be age 18 or above. Campers must be independent with their personal care to attend. If they require assistance (dressing, feeding, showering), they must bring their own 1:1 leader (at no cost to attend for the leader). Our volunteer leaders can assist with; pushing a wheelchair, memory, initiation, and organization.

5. What are the cabins like? All campers will be placed in cabins with 2 leaders. Each camper will sleep on a bottom bunk only and there will be 2-3 campers per room (a total of 6 campers max in each cabin). There are 2 washrooms with showers in each cabin and each cabin has a wheelchair ramp. There is also an accessible cabin that has a fully accessible shower.

6. What is a typical day like?

Thursday - arrival day is quite busy. You will arrive by bus/car and join us for lunch. A board memeber will assist you to your cabin and review the camp schedule with you. You can have free time to fish, connect with others, play cards in the dining hall etc. Cabin meetings will occur around 4pm. Welcome to camp and dinner at 5pm. And then regular camp activities.

Friday/Saturday - both days are jam packed with all optional activities (caneoing, high ropes, crafts, karaoke, a dance, hikes, yoga/meditation, cards, campfires, trivia, spa time, golf, outdoor games, Blue Jays lounge and more!) Join whatever activity you want, relax at the dining hall/your cabin/swings, drink coffee/tea or just enjoy the sunshine.

Sunday - pack up, breakfast, camp evaluations and beautiful closing ceramony until we see each other next year. Camp closes at 11:30am.

6. What else do I need to know? Campers are permitted to smoke cigarettes at camp, however there are only 2 designated locations for this (fire pit and a marked area near the dining hall). Anyone smoking in any other location may be subject to removal from camp. There is no alchohol or other drugs allowed at Camp Dawn. All campers and leaders will sign a code of conduct and anyone who violates this will be subject to removal from camp at their own expense. No outside food is permitted at camp. Snacks are available all through the day and night in the dining hall. There is wifi at camp, so bring your phone and take lots of photos! There is also no swimming at camp (don’t bring a bathing suit!). All campers (and leaders) once accepted will send a completed medication form and all medications are locked up in the nurses station, which is staffed 24 hours a day at camp by a board member. Campers can access their meds whenever they need (they will be placed in a ziploc bag and our staff will pass you your bag when requested). Campers and leaders who take Thc as a medication are required to bring their card from their doctor. This will be locked up with medications and only used in a designated spot under the supervision of a board member. A new policy is that all Thc must be in the form of pre-rolled, liquid or edible. There is zero tolerance for sharing of any medication.

7. What should I pack? A full packing list will be sent once you are accepted, but you will need a sleeping bag/bedding/pillow, and clothing for 3 days.

8. Who can my family contact with questions? Julie is available by text/call before and during camp. You can give my number to your emergency contact.