Summer barbeques serve up camp adventures
Camp provides residents with new adventures, new experiences and the ability to live life to the fullest. Thanks to your gifts, simple pleasures are possible.
When you hear the words “summer camp” the mind quickly jumps to thoughts of new friends, campfire sing-alongs, outdoor adventures and memories to last a lifetime. For residents of St. Joseph’s Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, new camp memories are created though an annual trip to Camp Woodeden.
Another favourite summer tradition – barbeques that help send more than 200 residents to Camp Woodeden. This past year, the Knights of Columbus once again volunteered their time to cook up tasty burgers and hot dogs all in an effort to raise funds for this camp adventure. Their support along with your special donations helped raise more than $9,000.
Because of you, residents spent a full day on the sprawling 106 acres that make up Camp Woodeden. Overlooking the Thames River, this picturesque setting offers wheelchair accessible hiking trails, a wheelchair accessible tree house, the perfect setup for a campfire sing-alongs and an opportunity to enhance the lives of its visitors.
“Camp provides an opportunity for them to get away and make new memories”, says Jennifer McPhee Therapeutic Recreation Aide, St. Joseph's Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care. “And for so many residents it’s become the highlight of the year.”
For resident Lois Toll, who attended camp this year, the camp experience is a positive one. “It’s a nice change to get out. The ride to the countryside, the lunch, the singing; it’s just a beautiful day.”
But why camp? For some individuals, the move to long term care can be difficult. Adjusting to a new living environment, decreased community involvement and in some cases restricted independence, can be difficult and be perceived as losses. This is often accompanied by declining physical and mental health and grief. Social isolation and depression are frequent outcomes.
Research indicates that the best treatment for depression is social, physical and mental stimulations through meaningful activities.
“The camp offers residents the chance to spend time in the world outside the care facility, an opportunity to connect with nature, make new memories, friends and spend time with family. It provides enhanced interaction, and offers activities that stimulate all five senses,” says McPhee. “But without donors and volunteers, we would have nothing, the camp wouldn’t happen.”
Want to help send a resident to camp? Consider making a donation.
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