When she was born we were shocked and devastated by the diagnosis.As each day passed we fell more and more in love with her and saw what a bright light she was.We know this is a journey we were meant to be on. We know now that she will pave her future in her own way and being different is beautiful.

 
Camp Bursary

The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society offers a camp bursary to assist with extra costs that can be associated with inclusion support for year-round camps for our children/youth with Down syndrome, and hopes to open doors to some camp experiences that otherwise would not be possible.

Purpose of the Camp Bursary:

The camp bursary is to assist families with costs involved over and above regular camp fees, for children/youth (ages 4-21) with Down syndrome to attend and participate in any camps (summer, March Break, PA Day, etc.). The registration fee for camps specifically designed for individuals with special needs tend to cost more due to added staff supports. In some cases, primarily for typical camps, the extra cost may be an additional fee charged by the camp for a camp-provided Inclusion Facilitator, or may be the cost involved with hiring and supplying your own support worker to attend the camp with your child.

Rules for the Camp Bursary:

  • All children/youth with Down syndrome aged 4-21 can apply
  • Full-time, part-time and virtual camps qualify
  • Registration fees for regular camps are not covered by bursary funding
  • Registration fees for camps that are specifically designed for individuals with special needs that include support your child/youth/adult to participate in regular camps
  • Bursary funds can cover 100% of the costs for support workers (over 18 years old) that you hire to support your child/youth/adult to participate in regular camps
  • Bursary funds can cover the extra costs charged for support workers/inclusion workers when your child/youth attends a regular camp that supplies support workers
By accepting a camp bursary, families agree to complete10 hours of volunteer work for WWDSS during the current calendar year. These hours are separate from/in addition to volunteer hours requirements for other bursary programs.
 
Approved applicants will need to provide the following for reimbursement:

Required by each approved applicant:
  •    A copy of the invoice/ receipt of payment for the camp registrations, proof of attendance at a camp
Required by applicants requesting reimbursement for a support worker/inclusion
worker that is hired by either the camp or directly by the family:
  •    A copy of the invoice/receipt of payment for the fee of the Inclusion Facilitator provided by the camp.
                                    OR
  • A copy of the invoice or support form signed by the support person. If an invoice is being provided, the name, address, contacts and signature of the Inclusion Facilitator need to be included on the invoice, or complete the form that will come with the camp bursary approval letter.
NOTES:
  • A privately provided support person needs to be 18 years old or older
  • The family will need to pay the support person or camp fees directly as WWDSS will reimburse the family only. WWDSS will not pay a support person directly
  • Volunteer hours will be verified before receiving this bursary
Online Camp Bursary Application 2025 Camp Bursary Application Click Here

If you prefer a paper copy, see this link: Click Here

Please complete this form and submit to WRDSS by February 20, 2024. You will receive a confirmation email when completing this form. A separate email with the bursary allotment will be sent by March 14th, 2024.