How Do I Find the Right Camp for my Child? (cont’d.)

Volunteer News

The UN has deemed 2001, the International Year of the Volunteer and here at LDANP we have begun to reorganize our volunteer program to coincide with this year’s events.

On the way is a new volunteer handbook titled “ Together We Can” and at our last board meeting we officially adopted the Canadian Code For Volunteers.

We have also developed a volunteer description binder so that potential volunteers can come in and see what positions are available, as well as the time commitment required for each position. There are over 50 positions to choose from and time commitments vary from a few hours bi-monthly to 4 or 5 hours each week. Anyone who has time to help our cause is welcome to come in and take a look.

Also in the works is a volunteer orientation program, the purpose of the orientation is to acquaint new volunteers to our association, our services, programs and volunteer policies and procedures. I hope to have this program up and running within the next couple of months.

Have you found that one of our volunteers has provided you with extra special services?

We would like to recognize those volunteers. We are now running a volunteer of the month program, if you would like to nominate one of our volunteers, please contact our office or fill out a nomination ballot when you come in

We have recently expanded!! We now have a brand new space to house our library, and have plans to improve and add to our resources. We need volunteers to take care of our new space and to aid other members when they come in. Anyone interested????

If you are, call 905-791-4100

Diane Sabourin,

Volunteer Co-ordinator

One of the most important steps in choosing a camp is to have an opportunity to meet the camp director, or at least a representative, in person, either at an open house, or preferably in your home. You will want to ask about his or her background in camping, about the camp's philosophy and about the camp's provisions for campers with special needs. This is your chance to ask any questions or to raise any concerns you or your child might have about the camp or the program. One crucial point here is that parents and/or guardians of a child, particularly one with special needs, must be completely up front as to their child's condition, his/her specific requirements and their expectations. You will find that, under most circumstances, camp directors are more than willing to make the necessary adjustments to meet a child's needs. This face to face meeting is also the camp director's opportunity to start forming a relationship among himself, a prospective camper and his/her family. 

I Volunteer

I originally began volunteering with LDANP because I have a son who has been diagnosed with ADHD and I wanted to learn as much as I could about what was available to help him with his school and social activities. . I needed to know that I wasn’t alone, that I wasn’t a bad parent and that my son could succeed despite his disability. I found the help and support I needed here. The more I learnt about this organization, the more I believed that this chapter was a much needed service for our LD and ADHD kids, their parents and for the adults who face different challenges within their workplace.

And that is why I volunteer.

Volunteer of the month-March 2001 – Agnes Waddell

Agnes Waddell has been aiding us will our clerical work for over 5 years. Agnes will now be taking over as Membership Administrator. Way to go Agnes!!

Let me end simply by stating that, regardless of your own past camping experiences, or what other people may have told you, in my opinion and based on my experience of over 20 years in the camping business, no camp can and should claim to be suitable for every child. Moreover, no responsible camp director will ever give you a guarantee that your child will succeed at camp. Even though it is understood that every parent wants to make absolutely sure that they are doing the best for their child, one must also understand that there are simply too many variables to be able to guarantee a successful camping experience. The real and only issue here is that all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, should be given a choice based on their individual needs and their own goals and aspirations, as they relate to a camp's philosophy, resources and capabilities. It is up to everyone concerned to make sure that the best possible choices are made, and that ultimately, the child is the "winner."