Special Needs
Experience
For over 35 year Camp Shalom has been a leader in summer camp programs for adults who have special needs. We have built many relationships with group homes and caregivers who rely on our camp every year to offer respite for caregivers and parents along with fun and meaningful vacations for their clients. Many of our guests have attended for over a decade and look forward to it every year.
Proper Training
Before our guests arrive, our staff participate in two weeks of training to learn the skills to serve our guests. We also provide a healthcare team to manage medications and any other health care needs that may arise. With over 35 years of experience you can feel secure that your son, daughter or client will have a fun and safe experience at Camp Shalom.
Make Friends and Have Fun
We believe that each one of our guests deserve to have fun and experience new things. Guests can experience the pool, waterslide and spray pad, sing campfire songs and and participate in worship times, eat great food and meet caring counselors, all while making new friends and learning about their saviour Jesus Christ.
Learn New Things
Try new things at camp like archery, canoeing, waterslide, soccer, crafts, games, talent show, carnival, petting zoo, mounting biking, camping and so much more! Each campers experience can be tailored to their ability level.
Many of our programs SOLD OUT in record time during 2024. Don’t miss out on next summer! Register today for 2025 to secure your spot!
Quick Info
Special Support & Spec Arts: June 29-July 4, July 13-18 and July 27-Aug 1, 2025
Spec Sports/Trek: July 6-11, July 20-25, Aug 3-8 and Aug 10-15, 2025
Age 18+ Cost: Starting at $1300 – tax exempt
Drop Off: Sunday 6pm – 7pm
Pick Up: Friday at 5pm
Payment Options
Payment Plan
Make a $50 deposit and use our payment plan to divide the registration fee into equal monthly payments between now and March 15th or June 15th. If you need to switch to a different week later on, just call or email the office and we can do that free of charge.
Mail in a Check
Register now and mail in a check later on.
Pay in Full
Register now and pay in full by Visa or MasterCard
A receipt will be emailed to you immediately for all payment options, which can be used for Passport Funding reimbursement.
Four programs to choose from!
Special Support Camp
This summer camp program gives all guests who require special support the opportunity to come and get a taste of the Camp Shalom experience.
Spec Sports
Do you love sports? Soccer, hockey, volleyball, baseball, swimming, archery, kayaking. If you get excited reading that list then this is for you!
Spec Arts
Let’s bring out our creative sides this summer as we explore the arts like painting, sketching, photography, dance, music or drama.
Spec Trek
Age 18+ Looking for adventure? Hike, canoe, bike, do archery, sleep in a tent. Experiencing God’s beautiful creation in a new way.
Camp Shalom offers four different special needs programs.
Our largest program is called Special Support. During the three weeks that we run this program, everyone at Camp is an adult who has some form of special needs (there is a kid’s day camp that will be on-site as well). This program gives you a taste of everything at camp from music, to sports, to dance, to crafts, to a talent show, to a petting zoo, to canoeing, and maybe even a visit from the firetruck. We recommend that first-time campers attend this program.
Our three Spec program are designed for campers who are looking for a faster and more challenging program than our Special Support is able to offer.
Spec Arts runs alongside our larger Special Support program. Campers will have the opportunity to try painting, dance, music, crafts, and other activities.
Spec Sports and Spec Trek are our most challenging programs. Campers should be mobile and willing to try challenging things. Spec Sports and Spec Trek run alongside our kid’s camp program so there will be over 100 loud and energetic kids at camp. Campers in Spec Sports and Spec Trek will have the opportunity to try more difficult activities such as archery, slingshots, kayaking, and more.
If you are still unsure which program is right for you, don’t hesitate to call the office so we can discuss it some more.
Individuals with low needs may attend Special Support Camp, Spec Trek, Spec Sports or Spec Arts. Unfortunately, Camp Shalom is not able to support individuals with high needs. Below is a chart that we use to determine if our programming is suitable for your particular needs. If we are unable to provide the support you require and you would still like to come to camp, you are invited to bring your own support worker to camp for the week in order to assist you. The Cost is $50 to bring a support worker. Support workers must be at least 16 years old. If you have any further questions please contact Adrian.
| Criteria | Low Needs (All Programs) | High Needs (Not Offered) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The guest requires adult briefs | No | Yes |
| 2. Requires support/direction while bathing | Minimal | Hand-over-Hand or 1:1 |
| 3. Requires support/direction while dressing | Minimal | Hand-over-Hand or 1:1 |
| 4. Requires support/direction at mealtime | Minimal | Hand-over-Hand or 1:1 |
| 5. Exhibits behaviours requiring extra intervention (ex. Violent or Sexual) | No | Yes |
| 6. The guest’s sleeping habits: | 4+ hours/night, No wandering at night | Less than 4 hours/night and/or prone to wandering |
Please Note: Camp Shalom is unable to provide lifting. Campers must be able to toilet and dress themselves with very minimal assistance.
Campers must not exhibit any violent or inappropriate sexual behavior.
Spec Trek and Spec Sports is intended to be a more challenging program than Special Support. Campers should be very mobile and independent to participate in Spec Trek and Spec Sports.
Each camper will be in a cabin with around 5 other campers and 1 (sometimes 2) counselors. This should give you an idea of what level of attention each camper is able to receive.
Why Camp Shalom?
Parents and guardians were asked in our summer camp evaluation why they chose Camp Shalom over other summer camps. Here are some of their responses.
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The staff members are caring there. He loves it and talks about it all year to anyone who will listen. I feel secure that he is not just one of a crowd but an individual whose needs are being considered and met. Your staff is amazing. He loves the Christian atmosphere, esp. "Praise and Worship" time. Your staff practice what they preach - rare in this day and age.
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Camp Shalom is close to where we live, it charges a fair price, the staff are very friendly and they care for my son. He loves the worship praise time a lot! He even talked about the pastor speaking around the camp fire. Even though he may not say much his spirit is ministered to and that has great value to me.
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The staff members are always wonderful there!! He comes home talking about going back next year already. My Son is always so positive about his experience there and this has not been the case in other camps.
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The fact that you accepted my sister who had become more disabled during the year was a blessing. Her days at camp are memorable for her. She told me that she "just loves it there"! She knew the staff and volunteers and they greeted her heartily too. Camp Shalom has been a bright spot in her life for many years. It has been a showcase of God's love.
