Kids Camp (ages 7-16)
Our Kids Camp program offers unforgettable opportunities for children to take part in outdoor recreation and activities. Kids Camp is much more than just fun. Our program is a safety-focused, secure and supervised environment where kids impacted by cancer can make new friends and foster independence and personal growth, helping them see beyond the limits of their cancer diagnosis.
We offer inclusive programming that is age and developmentally-appropriate and accommodate our activities for all ability levels, always free of charge.
Who This Camp is for
- Children from New Brunswick aged 7 to 16 diagnosed with cancer and their siblings.
- All participants must have their childhood immunizations up to date. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended but not mandatory.
Program Dates
Applications are open from February 1 – June 29, 2024.
Camp life
Kids Camp takes place at Camp Rotary in Sunnyside Beach, New Brunswick. Camp Rotary is situated on the beautiful shores of Grand Lake.
Campers sleep in cabins with their cabinmates. Each of these beautiful cabins is equipped with electricity and bunk beds with shared access to washrooms and showers.
In each cabin group of 4 to 8 campers of similar age there are two cabin leaders that are trained by camp staff. In addition, there are trained program staff facilitating each activity and qualified medical support on site to ensure that all campers are comfortable and cared for.
Campers will have the opportunity to take part in various activities such as music, drama, sports and games, canoeing, swimming and much more!
Transportation
Most of our campers arrive and depart from camp by car. When you drop your camper off you will have the opportunity to meet their cabin leader, medical team and other members of the staff team. Please contact the camp office regarding travel reimbursement.
Yes. A relative or friend can attend.
Campers can return to Kids Camp year after year from ages 7 to 16.
You can help ensure your child has a great camp experience by sharing as much information about them as possible during the application process. Please provide us with any details or information about your child’s specific needs that you feel would be relevant in a camp setting and we will pass this information along to the volunteers caring for your child. Camp Rotary also has an open house at the beginning of camp season that you and your family may wish to attend.
Cabin groups consist of 4 to 12 campers with at least two counsellors per cabin.
Yes. The camp has a medical team consisting of a pediatric oncology nurse, a registered nurse and two student nurses who are on site during the entire week of camp.
A complete list of what to bring is included in your registration package. In terms of what not to bring, laptops, cell phones and devices that access the Internet are not permitted at camp and will be sent home with parents. Camp is a chance for your child to take a break from technology and to experience nature at its best.
Many of our campers say that Camp Goodtimes food is just as good as a home-cooked meal. Our menu is reviewed by a registered dietitian to meet the nutritional needs of our campers. We are also sensitive to any special dietary needs of our campers (e.g. lactose intolerance).
At times, kids will miss home when they are at Camp Goodtimes. We discourage telephone contact as this usually makes them miss home more. However, parents can email their child and/or call the camp to speak with staff. More information about this will follow in your acceptance package. Due to logistics, campers may not be able to respond, but the kids are usually glad to hear from their parent(s)/caregiver(s). We ask that parent(s)/caregiver(s) set their child up for success by providing realistic communication expectations for their time at camp. For example, talking to them about the email option is great, but telling them that they can call home whenever they want is not realistic.
A typical day at camp is packed with activities, special theme days such as the “Harry Potter Day,” music, drama, sports and games, canoeing, swimming and much more. The evenings are also a special time and our programs are designed to suit the interests and abilities of campers. As a result, new friendships are formed and social interaction, camper inclusion and participation bring even the quietest of campers out of their shell.