By Deron Hamel
Isabella has attended Summerfest Camp since she was nine. Now 15, Isabella attended her last Summerfest Camp experience this past summer, but she has plans to continue her relationship with the camp, which provides a variety of outdoor experiences for children and youths with epilepsy.
Knowing the difference the camp makes to children living with epilepsy, Isabella, a Grade 10 student, is applying for Summerfest Camp’s two-year leadership development program (LDP) program next year.
By participating in the LDP, Isabella says her goal is to eventually become a Summerfest Camp counsellor.
“(That) would be an amazing experience, and I would be able to stay at camp for an entire summer with all the great people there,” Isabella says.
“Many counsellors have told me that their best years at camp were while they were in the LDP program, and I would love to become a part of that.”
Summerfest Camp just completed its 21st season. An average of 20 to 40 children and youths living with epilepsy attend the program each summer. Campers participate in activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking and sports.
The camp, located near Orillia at Camp Couchiching, is staffed with people trained in how to work with children living with epilepsy.
Asked about her favourite aspects of Summerfest Camp, Isabella says it’s the people – both counsellors and campers – and the many activities offered at Camp Couchiching, especially swimming.
“I also learned how to kayak and canoe,” she says.
Isabella also wrote a letter to Epilepsy Ontario in July to thank the organization, which financially supports Summerfest Camp, for the five summers she has spent at Camp Couchiching.
“Camp Couchiching is a place that has taught me so much, not only outdoor skills, but skills I can use every day such as independence, self-confidence and to interact well with others,” Isabella says in her letter.
Isabella’s mother, Lisa, says she has seen the positive impact Summerfest Camp has had on her daughter.
“It’s a great experience – kids have to be responsible for a lot of their own things, and it’s good for their confidence and I think it builds independence,” Lisa says.
The fact that Isabella wants to become a Summerfest Camp counsellor is a testament to its value.
“That’s how much it has been a positive experience for her,” she says.
Summerfest Camp was founded in 1994 by Anita Allen, a neurology clinic nurse at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The camp enables children aged six to 15, who are living with seizure disorders, to attend camp with other children. Camp Couchiching provides a setting where children can forget about their epilepsy.
If you have feedback on this story, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.com. You can also leave a comment below.
