Every child has value
Camp Winston provides inspiring recreational opportunities for kids with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support. Located on beautiful Sparrow Lake in the Muskoka region of Ontario, we operate a summer camp, weekend retreats and week-long retreats throughout the year.
Camp Winston’s primary focus is to set our children up for success. We operate four, two-week summer sessions attended by a total of 120 campers aged 6 – 12 years from across Canada. Campers that have attended camp as 6 – 13 year olds may continue in the Camp Winston community in our Teen Program for ages 14 – 17. In most cases, this is the first time in their lives they feel welcome and secure enough to participate without being rejected or alienated by their peers.
Campers have a complex combination of neurological disorders which include:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Tourette’s Disorder
- Learning Disabilities
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Campers are encouraged and supported as they participate; often for the first time – in various recreational activities including various sports, swimming, tubing, kayak and canoeing, crafts, theatre, ropes courses, nature studies and canoe trips. While having fun, they learn vital social and gross motor skills specific to their needs.
Special retreats for parents, grandparents and siblings are also held year-round to teach families and caregivers behaviour management skills, coping strategies and more.
Our Camp offers a unique opportunity for these children to participate in specialized programs with mature, professional, well trained staff. Our counsellors and activity instructors are older and more experienced, and we have a high ratio of counsellors to campers which allow on-to-one support.