Welcome to Summer Camp
Easter Seals has been offering summer camp experiences to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities since 1968.
From day camps, to week long overnight camps, to in-person and virtual, there are options available for all interests, and for all children and adults with disabilities ages 6 and up. Trained counsellors bring out the fun and silly in every activity, creating experiences that instill confidence, and memories that last a lifetime.
Everyone Belongs At Camp
Fully accessible and inclusive
Since we opened our first camp location in 1968, Easter Seals has been dedicated to maintaining a place where everyone is welcome, and where unique programming caters to all abilities and cultivates personal growth.
Throughout our decades of service, we have remained committed to establishing innovative and effective opportunities for our campers to have safe, fun and rewarding experiences while improving skills and character.
Our programs are structured to ensure safety and enjoyment, with sensitivity to each child’s social and learning style. Staff are trained to provide nurturing care that assists campers with having fun-filled experiences, and encourages development in life skills, self-confidence and independence.
Overnight Summer Camps
Squamish & Winfield
A nature-based, fully-accessible overnight camp where campers explore new activities and skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Family Camps
Squamish & Winfield
Getaway with the family and enjoy outdoor, safe, fully accessible fun. Connect with other families and make new friends.
Autism Focused
Winfield
This camp week is specially designed with a focus on participants on the Autism Spectrum, but everyone with other eligible diagnosis is welcome to join! We’re also excited to potentially have additional support from Canucks Autism Network staff to make this week even more engaging and supportive.
Dates & Pricing 2026
Island Focused Registration Opens February 10th (open to previous Camp Shawnigan Campers or New Campers with a Vancouver Island Primary address only).
Overnight Camp Registration opens February 17, 9AM.
Family Camp Registration opens April 13, 9AM.
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Fees will be announced in January 2026, as we are doing our best to keep costs as low as possible.
Payment for overnight camp is due 6-weeks prior to your week of camp.
*Availability will show in the registration portal
** You may be eligible to receive Autism Funding to help with your camp registration payments.
Camp Winfield
Family Camp dates TBD
- Week
- June 20 to 21
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Dates
- June 20 to 21
- June 29 to July 3
- July 6 to 10
- July 13 to 17
- July 20 to 24
- July 27 to 31
- August 3 to 7
- Type
- New Camper Weekend
- YAC
- Kids
- Mixed Medical Kids
- Autism Focused Kids
- Kids
- YAC
- Ages
- 6 – 18
- 19 – 49+
- 6 – 18
- 6 – 18
- 6 – 18
- 6 – 18
- 19 – 49+
Camp Squamish
Family Camp:
August 12-14 – Family Camp 1
August 14- 16 – Family Camp 2
- Week
- June 20 to 21
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Week 3
- Week 4
- Week 5
- Week 6
- Dates
- June 20 to 21
- June 29 to July 3
- July 6 to 10
- July 13 to 17
- July 20 to 24
- July 27 to 31
- August 3 to 7
- Type
- New Camper Weekend
- YAC
- Kids
- Island Focused Kids
- Island Focused YAC
- Kids
- YAC
- Ages
- 6 – 18
- 19 – 49+
- 6 – 18
- 6 – 18
- 19 – 49+
- 6 – 18
- 19 – 49+
- On February 10th, both “Island Focused” weeks will be available for registration for campers who have previously attended Camp Shawnigan or New Campers with a Vancouver Island address. All other weeks will be closed until general registration opens, at which time all campers will have equal opportunity to register. Unique situations may be considered at the discretion of the Camp Director.
- In the event the primary caregivers are requiring a ferry from Vancouver Island to retrieve their campers due to dismissal, families must be able to provide an alternative adult who can retrieve the camper within 2 hours. This policy is in place for the safety of the campers and camping program, as to ensure campers can be effectively evacuated in the event of natural disaster, medical emergency, or other incidents. The camp will make its best efforts to support families from Vancouver Island, as we understand that unexpected ferry travel can be challenging in the summer months.
- Mixed Medical Kids weeks: This camp week is operating in partnership with a number of community groups, ensuring that campers have the opportunity for shared experience with peers who share the same condition. This partnership extends to campers with facial difference, blindness and low vision, and physical disabilities. We are encouraging campers with primarily physical disability who are not primarily associated with these community groups to attend this week!
FAQS
Due to the temporary closure of Camp Shawnigan, we are anticipating our registration to fill very quickly at Camp Squamish and Camp Winfield. Please see the below guide FAQ’s to answer any questions, feel free to reach out to us if there is any further information you require.
> Can I register my camper for more than one session?
On the first round of registration, no. It is our priority that as many individual campers have the opportunity to attend as possible, however in the event that there is open space in April, a second round of registration may be opened.
> I have already registered my camper for the summer, can I waitlist for a second week?
No, the waitlist is designated for campers who have not yet gotten an opportunity to register for their first week.
If a second round opens in April, your camper will be allowed to waitlist for any number of sessions, and spots will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.
> I wasn’t able to get a spot in my first choice week, but my second choice week still has space. Should I register for my second choice or waitlist for my first?
We would highly recommend registering for your second choice, as we cannot guarantee any campers will move off of the waitlist, and we would hate for your camper to miss out on camp!
> All of the weeks were full at the camp I want, what do I do?
If all of the weeks your camper could attend are full, you are welcome to waitlist for any number of sessions.
We would highly recommend looking at the availability of other camp locations, as if the travel is feasible there may be open spaces at another location.
> I am unsure if camp will be a good fit for my camper this season, who can I talk to?
Please reach out to our registrar at campregistration@eastersealsbcy.ca
How We’re Different
We Welcome All Abilities
Easter Seals summer camps are for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities from the age of six and up. With fully accessible facilities and specially trained staff, our programs can accommodate campers with, but not limited to:
* Developmental Challenges * Anxiety Disorders * Down Syndrome * Autism Spectrum Disorder * Cerebral Palsy * Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Please contact us if you have questions about whether or not our camps would be a good fit for your child.
All Types of Camps
- Overnight Camps (four and five nights)
- New Camper Weekends (included in your week of overnight camp)
- Leaders in Training Camps
- Virtual Camps (week-long)
- Family Camps (weekends)
Our goal is to provide our community with the self-esteem, self-confidence and sense of independence that is needed to help them live their best life.
We know that every camper and family has unique needs, so we’ve designed our camp programs with that in mind. No matter what type of camp you choose, your camper will experience the same fun-filled experience.
3:1 Direct Care Ratio
Easter Seals overnight camps have a direct care ratio of 3:1 and a 24-hour medical team on-site.
All camps, in-person and virtual, have counsellors trained specifically to work with persons with disabilities. Every provision has been made for guarding the health and well-being of all campers in our charge, and we strive to develop a thorough understanding of each camper’s specific needs.
Locations Across The Province
- Overnight & Family Summer Camps:
- Camp Winfield – Lake Country in the Okanagan
- Camp Shawnigan – Vancouver Island
- Camp Squamish – North of Vancouver
- Virtual Camps – Zoom from the comfort of your home
“My favourite part of camp is making the tie-dye shirts, getting goo’d, dressing up and being silly, making new friends, and going out at night for pool parties.”
~ Dillon, 20 years old who has Down Syndrome and has been attending camp since he was 9 years old.
“At camp, they don’t hear the word no, which is what they hear a lot of when navigating the world around them. Here they can try any activity because it’s set up to be fully accessible and the staff are trained to work with all abilities and needs. And if a camper is nervous to try something, there is such a supportive environment to make them feel safe.”
~ Barb, mother of Dillon.
Summer Camp Staff
Looking for a rewarding and meaningful opportunity? Join our team and help us create magic for children and adults with disabilities. Summer 2024 positions are now opening up. We would love to see you!
