Registration
QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for selection, the following criteria must be met:
- A confirmed diagnosis of arthritis.
- Covered by OHIP, Ontario's health care plan, or private health insurance. Proof of an Ontario Health Card or private health insurance is REQUIRED for camp.
HOW TO REGISTER
Families will be able to apply online using our secure registration website. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Registration will be online only. Registration can be accessed from the Arthritis Society website or the Camp Cambria website (www.campcambria.org/ontario).
Please note that an application does not guarantee a spot at camp. All applications will be reviewed and officially confirmed via email from Helen Anderson at the Arthritis Society within 2-3 weeks of receiving an application.
When all 140 spots are filled, we will start a wait list. Even if the camp is full, we still encourage interested families to apply. Cancellations are common throughout the year.
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION
- Proof of OHIP or private health insurance
- Up-to-date immunization history
- Details related to medications (including strength, dose quantity, does form, time of day, etc.)
- Information on health history / allergies
Please note that applicants will not be able to make updates to their profile once applications have been submitted. If a camper’s medication changes or there are changes to the camper’s health history, families are advised to contact Helen Anderson to receive access to the medical section of the online registration form.
Costs
Camp Cambria is free of charge to qualified families.
Living with childhood arthritis can put enough of a strain on a family’s time, energy and financial resources. With that in mind, the costs for this camp have been covered thanks to the generosity of Cambria, and in particular the leadership and vision of the Davis family. We thank them for their incredible support!
Health/medical considerations
Our medical staff team consists of six registered nurses and one social service worker. These professionals are available 24 hours a day to care for the campers and staff and are an essential component of the Camp Cambria family. All medications are kept and administered by the camp nursing team. No medications are permitted in the cabins. All medication times are accommodated at camp. Whether your camper is newly diagnosed or is approaching adulthood, our medical staff team work tirelessly to ensure your camper will get the most out of the camp experience.
The camp medical team is responsible for overseeing the total health care of the camp. In the event of an injury or illness that needs further attention, the camper will be taken to a local hospital. The camp medical team will make recommendations to send campers home, if necessary. If your child needs to be sent home due to safety, behavioural or health concerns, you will be contacted to come pick up your child. The Arthritis Society cannot provide transportation home. Unfortunately, the camp’s staff are not able to provide oversight to a child or teen who is threatening self-harm, and parents or guardians will be contacted to immediately pick up the camper to ensure their safety.
If you are a dedicated, caring and enthusiastic registered nurse and are interested in working at Camp Cambria, please contact Helen Anderson, Senior Manager, Education Services, at handerson@arthritis.ca or 416-979-7228 Ext. 3599.
HEAD LICE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Head lice and communicable disease are a common occurrence among children and spread rapidly. For this reason, we have a proactive head lice and communicable disease management protocol in place to prevent outbreaks. Please check your child for lice or nits before arriving to camp. Mandatory lice checks will be conducted once the campers arrive at camp. Any child with lice, nits or a communicable disease will not be able to attend camp.
HOMESICK CAMPERS
Our counselors are trained to recognize the symptoms associated with homesick campers. Efforts will be made to console campers and assist them in developing coping strategies. The following strategies will be used to address homesick campers:
- Encouraged not to call home until 48 hours have passed
- If a camper is still homesick after two nights and reasonable efforts by camp staff have been exhausted, parents may be contacted to pick up their camper.
The Arthritis Society does not provide transportation home for homesick campers.
Volunteer
The heart of the camp – that’s the best way to describe our wonderful volunteers. Every year, the Arthritis Society recruits, screens and trains volunteers from all over Ontario and the United States to create a magical week for our campers.
The Arthritis Society aims to create a safe and healthy experience for each camper and volunteer. We have designed mandatory training to ensure all volunteers feel comfortable in their positions at camp. This includes training from rheumatologists, social workers and occupational therapists on what it is like to live with childhood arthritis. Many of our volunteers live with arthritis and create endless opportunities for campers to learn and relate to others living with arthritis.
If you are interested in volunteering for one of our many camp positions, submit an application today!
Volunteer at Camp Cambria