Camp Limitless

This is your initial registration through our CampBrain platform. You must fill out all fields to be considered for camp. Minimal medical information will be required at this time, but you will be expected to provide any important medical, behavioral, or mental health related information that should be considered when reviewing your child’s application.

Please note that this year we will be prioritizing youth who have never had the opportunity to attend camp, and thus registration will not be based on a first come, first served basis. Please be sure to save your username and password as you will need it for phase 2 of the registration process.

After all expressions of interest are collected and phase 1 of registration closes, your initial registration will then be reviewed by Arthritis Society Canada’s team. This process may include reaching out to your child’s rheumatology clinic and/or family doctor.  

Once approved, you will receive an email from the Arthritis Society Canada indicating that you have been conditionally accepted as a camper and inviting you to complete your phase 2 registration forms. At this point you will need to go back into your registration on CampBrain and complete all required forms and submit medical information by March 31. You will be expected to provide: 

• Proof of provinicial health card

  • Please note that all campers must be covered by a provincial health care plan, or private health insurance. Proof of a provincial health card or private health insurance is REQUIRED to be accepted as a camper.  
• Pertinent medical information, including diet and allergy information
• ​Up-to-date Immunization History 

Those campers who we are unable to accept into this year’s camp will be notified via email. 

Once all required phase 2 forms and medical information have been submitted, they will once again be reviewed by Arthritis Society Canada’s team. This process may include reaching out to your child’s rheumatology clinic and/or family doctor. Campers will be notified of their final acceptance by the end of April.

• Start planning to attend camp! 
• Waitlisted campers to be notified if a spot becomes available at camp

Camp Manitou is located about five-minutes outside of Winnipeg at 850 Green Oaks Ln, Headingley.

Transportation to and from Camp Manitou will be via parent /guardian drop off/pick-up at Camp Manitou. 

Camp Limitless campers range in age from 8-17 and include children and teens with a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis or another rheumatic condition. We have campers that come from across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northwestern Ontario. Campers are placed into cabins based on their age group and gender identity. 

All of our camp activities are planned with a view to teaching skills, building confidence and improving self-esteem. We achieve this by carefully structuring all of our activities to ensure success. Skilled instructors who can modify the activities as needed do the teaching. Recognizing the unique needs of children living with arthritis, this includes incorporating rest and transition time.

Camp Limitless offers a wide range of age appropriate, educational and recreational opportunities. Campers will enjoy socializing and learning with their small cabin groups, as well in larger camp-wide programming. Activities include kayaking, water games, volleyball, hiking, climbing wall, zip-line, archery, campfires, field games, basketball, fishing, drama/skits, swimming, art & crafts and more!

It is natural for most children away from home for the first time experience a certain amount of homesickness. If your child becomes homesick, camp will work very hard to help them overcome the problem. This is because most children who leave camp before the end, experience it as a failure. They need to know that what they may be feeling is not abnormal or unusual. In the vast majority of cases, any feelings of homesickness passes quickly.

Camp has an enormous arsenal of techniques to combat homesickness, developed over several years. When dealing with homesickness, campers will get some one-on-one attention. Our goal is to keep the children busy – at first doing the things most familiar and enjoyable to them. Usually homesickness subsides after a day or two, because the pace of camp life is so busy and distracting from thoughts about home. The good news is, like all things, time heals homesickness too. With your support, the likelihood that we will achieve positive results is extremely high.

​We attempt to balance good nutrition with institutional cooking needs and popular foods that campers enjoy eating. Camp Manitou is able to accommodate most reasonable dietary restrictions. The meals at camp cater to dietary needs that include, but are not limited to: lactose-intolerance, gluten-intolerance, vegetarian, and vegan. Additionally, camp is a nut aware facility. We cannot guarantee that nuts are not in the facility, but all of our food is made nut free and we ask that people do not bring food to camp that has nuts in it. If your child has any special dietary needs, please note this information on the medical form.

Camp Manitou's Health Centre is open 24 hours a day, staffed by a registered nurse or medic. The camp’s medical facility is antiseptically clean, well ventilated and well equipped. The Health Centre keeps on-hand over the counter pain medication such as pain relievers, antiseptic, etc. All medications will be kept and administered by the camp nursing team. All medication times will be accommodated.

Camp Limitless is a great opportunity for kids to be fully immersed in camp their experience. For some it may be their first time away from home and are building their independence and confidence. For this reason, family and friends are not able to contact their children while they are at camp. If there is an emergency and you need to reach your child please contact Lauren Handler at camp@arthritis.ca. Lauren is at camp for the entire week and will be able to assist you in these rare instances.

Photos will be uploaded to a private photo album as well as our Arthritis Society Canada Childhood Arthritis Community Facebook group. 

Camp is unplugged! No electronic devices are allowed at camp. If the campers would like to capture memories at camp, they will be allowed to bring a disposable camera or, if you wish, a small, inexpensive digital camera. Please note that Camp Manitou and the Arthritis Society Canada will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items at camp.  

An extensive packing list is available under the Camper Information tab. Don't forget to label camper clothing and bags! 

We take every measure to ensure the health and safety of all campers and staff when planning camp. We continue to follow Public Health guidelines, and the recommendations established by our medical team. Campers who are symptomatic/ill should NOT attend camp on day #1. Please note that parents/guardians will be required to pick up their campers promptly and directly from camp if our onsite medical team deems it necessary. Stay-tuned as we will update families with more information as camp approaches.