Special Needs Camp FAQs
Check-in starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 7:00 pm Sunday evening, and your ride is requested to stay at the Camp until you’ve settled into your cabin.
Please eat before you come, as supper will not be provided at Camp on Sunday night.
Pick-up is on Friday between 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm.
Great effort is made to honour requests for cabin mates of similar age. The request must be mutual and no more than two guests will be accepted together and there are no guarantees for placement. After April 15th, cabin mate placements are not a priority.
Every summer Camp Shalom employs two Healthcare Coordinators who are required to have the qualifications of an upper year nursing student or similar. At least one is present on camp property at all times.
To register for Camp Shalom, please go to our online registration page.
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.
Click here to see a printable list.
Camp Shalom is committed to making your loved one’s stay at camp as safe as possible. We have emergency procedures in place for situations like severe injuries, tornados, fires, or emergency situations. There are also two Health Care Coordinators on staff, and we have qualified NLS lifeguards at the pool and at the kayaking pond. We are one of the few summer camps who require staff to participate in a two-week staff training time. We have a local doctor whom we can call if our healthcare staff has any questions, and we are able to get same-day appointments if necessary. In emergencies we are a fifteen-minute drive away from the hospital.
We believe that providing your loved one with the best summer camp experience possible rests heavily on our having the best summer staff possible. Our staff members are hired based on their spiritual testimonies, demonstrated life experiences, current qualifications, and clear criminal records checks. Each year we take great pride in the quality of our summer camp staff. Campers are supervised at all times by a staff member, whether that is at the pool, during free time, or at other activities like canoeing or the waterslide.
Still not sure? We would be happy to give you a private tour and answer any questions you may have.
Each year Camp Shalom has a different theme for the focus of its Bible studies and chaplains’ messages. This theme is different every year, but the overall and most important message is the same: that God created us, loves us, and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. We are saved by grace through faith, and we can have a personal relationship with God.
Call or email the office and talk to Kim at 1-888-226-7722 x1x1. There is a $10 non-refundable deposit for all kids’ overnight and day camp programs. Special needs programs have a $50 non-refundable deposit. Cancellations made after May 15th are subject to a 50% fee.
Countryside Camp has a Financial Aid program in place! To apply or check your eligibility, call the office at 1-888-226-7722 or email Tim.
Cabins are divided up by age and some times level of functioning. There will always be at least one, sometimes two, counselors who will sleep in the cabin.
If you require more support then our staff is able to provide, you are welcome to bring your own support worker to camp for the week to assist you. The cost is $50 for the week to bring a support worker. Support workers must be at least 16 years old. Support workers will typically sleep in the cabin with the campers, however other arrangements can be made if necessary. If you have any further questions please contact Adrian.
No. All of our camper’s tuck is included in the registration fee. There is no need to bring extra money to camp. Campers will have an opportunity to choose their 2 daily tuck items as part of the check-in process.
The tuck shop will be open during Friday check-out for you and your camper to purchase t-shirts, hats, candy, ice-ream, hoodies, and more.
Payment Options
1) Pay in full by Visa or Mastercard
2) Monthly payment plan (non-refundable deposit + installments) by Visa or Mastercard.
3) Register now and mail in a check later (Special needs programs only).
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.
Don’t see your question here? Contact Us.