Subsidies
Many recreation and camp programs offer a break in fees for families in need. Every program has their own guidelines as to whether they offer a subsidy for fees and how this works for their program. Contact the program of your choice to see what they can offer in the way of fee adjustment.
Other Funding Options
There are also organizations and government programs that offer funding opportunities for recreation and camp attendance which include the following:
Recreation Funding
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
The Jumpstart Program is a community-based charity that helps children in financial need participate in organized sports and recreational activities. Activities can include: hockey, soccer, dance, swimming etc., but do not include summer or day camps. A maximum of $300 per child is funded for eligible families. To be eligible, a child must be between the ages of 4-18 years. A financial assessment including details about the desired choice of activity, may also be required. There are two submission/application sessions per year: spring-summer (January 15 – June 1) and fall/winter (July 1 – November 15).
Easter Seals Recreational Choices Funding
Easter Seals Ontario offers funding for children and youth with physical disabilities 5 to 18 years of age who are not attending an Easter Seals camp. Up to $250 per child/youth for a recreation experience in Ontario including day camp, recreation camp, swimming lessons, etc.
For the Love of a Child
For the Love of a Child is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs. It helps bridge the gap between government funding and private insurance. The goal of our organization is to alleviate some of the financial burden these families endure. Some of the ways we are able to assist children is by providing: Assistive Devices not fully covered by ADP or private insurance; education, conferences, seminars and courses pertaining to a child’s special needs; equipment such as: bath, car, feeding chairs, mobility devices; recreation and leisure for therapeutic use; day camps
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (Assistive Devices and Activity Funding)
The Assistive Devices funding program provides financial assistance for equipment for individuals living with cerebral palsy (CP) in Ontario and who are registered members of Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. They also offer limited Activity Funding for their members to participate in structured community activities and camps.
Camp Specific Funding
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
ACSD funding is a monthly benefit paid to families with a child with a disability to assist with the extraordinary cost that families have, due to the disability. If you are receiving ACSD and have specialized camp as an approved expense, you may use funds to pay for a camp geared specifically for children who have special needs.
Kerry’s Place
There is limited funding through Kerry’s Place for children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder that can be used for camp fees. An annual application process begins in January of each year.
Autism Ontario
Offers a One-to-One Summer Support Worker Reimbursement Fund that can be used to pay for camp fees or hire a worker to accompany your child to camp.
Easter Seals Camp Funding
Easter Seals Ontario offers subsidy for camp fees at their camping facilities for campers with disabilities under the age of 19 years as of July 1 of the camping year), and who are not a Crown Ward. Families are asked to pay what they can, with a minimum payment of $150. The remainder will be funded by their generous donors.
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (Assistance Devices and Activity Funding)
The Assistive Devices funding program provides financial assistance for equipment for individuals living with cerebral palsy (CP) in Ontario and who are registered members of Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. They also offer limited Activity Funding for their members to participate in structured community activities and camps.
Enhanced Staffing
This program offers funding to licensed child care centres or day camp programs to support the inclusion of children with high needs, ages 0 – 12 years. Staff may be hired by the child care program, or the issuing agency (R.F.E.C.Y.) to supplement the existing ratio in the program where all staff support the inclusion of all children.