Camp Dawn
Camp Dawn, initially a weekend camping experience for adult survivors of brain injury, was initiated by the Brain Injury Association of Chatham Kent. At their invitation, agencies from Southwestern Ontario formed a partnership to plan the first camp in October 2003. The Brain Injury Association of London and Region was one of the founding partners and remains actively involved.
Camp Dawn’s purpose is to offer campers the opportunity to develop new skills and independence in an outdoor recreational environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Its support comes from camper registration fees, kind donations, and fundraising.
Twenty campers and ten volunteer leaders, headed by a paid coordinator, participated at the first camp. The camp's attendance has grown rapidly over the years. The third camp, held in September 2005, was attended by nearly sixty campers and thirty leaders. It has always been the intention to work with a 2:1 ratio to ensure safety, provide many different activities and make the camp as fully accessible as possible to campers with special needs.
Camp Dawn was incorporated as a non-profit corporation by the Canada Revenue Agency in October 2005. Having become a separate organization, Camp Dawn replaced its former partnership arrangement with a volunteer Board of Directors composed of survivors and professionals from Southwestern Ontario. Future plans include seeking accreditation from the Ontario Camping Association and registered charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency as well as making improvements and additions to the program.
In September 2007, Camp Dawn returned to Rainbow Lake, near Simcoe, Ontario, where the past two camps have been located. Among the many activities that the camp offers, Camp Dawn welcomed back Adventure Works, a third party recreational company that "prides themselves on creating new and exciting ways to enjoy the outdoors". Adventure Works again monitored the safe use of a ropes course for all the campers to try regardless of their physical ability. The 2007 camp had a very special visit from Walter Gretzky who commended the camp on its achievements in bettering the lives of those suffering from the affects of an acquired brain injury. The camp was a big success for all involved. Registration information will be posted on the camp website for future excursions. Complete details of Camp Dawn can be found at: www.campdawn.ca.
