Camp Got2Go

Camp Got2Go is an overnight camp for children and teens living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It provides campers with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with other youth facing similar challenges.

In 2023 Crohn's and Colitis Canada will be hosting three in-person camps:

Alberta

Children and teens from western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, western Manitoba and the Territories) will be hosted at Easter Seals Camp Horizon, located in the Rocky Mountain foothills just outside of Bragg Creek, Alberta. The Alberta camp will run from July 2-7. Applications are due on May 25, 2023. Learn more about Easter Seals Camp Horizon. 

Nova Scotia

Children and teens from eastern Canada (Ontario and Quebec) will be hosted at Brigadoon Village, located on Aylesford Lake. The Nova Scotia camp will run from August 13-18. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023. Learn more about Brigadoon Village.

Ontario

Children and teens from eastern Canada (eastern Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec) will be hosted at Camp Wahanowin, located on Lake Couchiching in Simcoe County, near Orillia. The Ontario camp will run from August 19-26. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023. Learn more about Camp Wahanowin.

PLEASE NOTE: As we prepare for the 2023 camp season, we continue to observe the COVID-19 pandemic and the developments of provincial health guidelines. We are working closely with the Crohn's and Colitis COVID-19 and IBD Task Force and our partner sites, to ensure the health and safety of our campers. As a result, your child's camp acceptance or our camp program may be subject to changes or cancellation.

Camp dates and application deadlines are different for each location.

Alberta

The Alberta camp will run from July 2-7, 2023. Applications are due on May 25, 2023. 

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia camp will run from August 13-18, 2023. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023.

Ontario

The Ontario camp will run from August 19-26, 2023. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023. 

PLEASE NOTE: As we prepare for the 2023 camp season, we continue to observe the COVID-19 pandemic and the developments of provincial health guidelines. We are working closely with the Crohn's and Colitis COVID-19 and IBD Task Force and our partner sites, to ensure the health and safety of our campers. As a result, your child's camp acceptance or our camp program may be subject to changes or cancellation.

All of our camp locations offer a wide range of fun and exciting activities for campers to enjoy.

Easter Seals Camp Horizon (Alberta) provides a multitude of fun challenges to help push campers beyond what they thought possible. Activities include rope courses, climbing walls, swimming, river rafting, camp fires, archery, and much more!

Brigadoon Village (Nova Scotia) each day offers a mix of planned activities, and leisure activities campers can participate in. Activities such as cooking & baking, super messy crafts, outdoor adventures, archery, drama, swimming, and boating are part of a camper’s everyday experience.

Camp Wahanowin (Ontario) offers a wide range of outdoor activities taught by qualified instructors. During their stay, campers will participate in a variety of activities and have the opportunity to focus on programs that interest them most. Activities include theater, watersports, mountain biking, woodworking, pottery, dance, rock climbing, archery and so much more!
 

Youth between the ages of 9 and 17 who have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are eligible to apply. Applicants must be healthy enough to attend overnight camp and must be able to travel by plane if they are not within driving distance. All applicants must complete the medical authorization waiver signed by their gastroenterologist and family physician confirming that they are well enough to attend camp. Visit our camp application page to learn more. 
 

Yes! If an applicant has already attended Camp Got2Go in the past, they are welcome to apply again. However, to ensure more young people have the opportunity to enjoy Camp Got2Go, priority will be given to first-time applicants.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for 2023 will open in February.

All applicants are required to fill out the online application. Applicants must also provide electronic copies of the completed and signed medical authorization form, general authorization form, as well as the COVID-19 waiver.

Once you begin the online application process you cannot save your information. Please ensure you have enough time to complete the application and all additional forms signed and prepared before beginning the application. Completing the application form does not guarantee acceptance to Camp Got2Go.

The application deadline for the Alberta camp is May 25, 2023.

The application deadline for the Nova Scotia and Ontario camps is June 15, 2023.

If there are more applicants than spots, priority will be given to those who have not attended Camp Got2Go in the past. For the remaining spots, campers will be grouped into age range and gender and then randomly selected. All selected applicants will be contacted by early June. If selected for Camp Got2Go, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will provide families with further information on how to register for camp. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will also notify the families of those children not selected and those on the waiting list.

Alberta

For campers who are not within driving distance of Easter Seals Camp Horizon, Crohn's and Colitis Canada will work with families to arrange transportation for campers to be flown from their closest major airport to Calgary (YYC). All flights and travel arrangements to and from camp will be organized by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will be at the Calgary airport to greet the campers and chaperon the transportation of campers to the campsite. On departure day Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will chaperon the transportation of campers to the airport, support each camper with their flight check-in, and supervise campers at their gates if necessary.

For campers living within driving distance to Camp Horizon, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will contact you with drop-off and pick-up times.

Nova Scotia 

Crohn's and Colitis Canada will work with families to arrange transportation for campers to be flown from their closest major airport to Halifax (YHZ). All flights and travel arrangements to and from camp will be organized by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will be at the Halifax airport on arrival day to greet the campers and chaperon the transportation of campers to the campsite. On departure day Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will transport campers to the airport, support each camper with their flight check-in, and supervise campers at their gate if necessary.

Ontario

Most campers in Eastern Canada will be within driving distance of Camp Wahanowin. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will contact you with drop-off and pick-up times. 

For campers who are not within driving distance of Camp Wahanowin, Crohn's and Colitis Canada will work with families to arrange transportation for campers to be flown from their closest major airport to Toronto (YYZ or YTZ). All flights and travel arrangements to and from camp will be organized by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will be at the either YYZ or YTZ airport on arrival day to greet the campers and chaperon the transportation of campers to the campsite. On departure day Crohn's and Colitis Canada staff & volunteers will transport campers to the airport, support each camper with their flight check-in, and supervise campers at their gate if necessary.

 

Should parents wish to travel to camp with their child they are required to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Please note that parents are not allowed to stay on site at the camp.
 

All Camp Got2Go programs operate on a ‘pay what you can system’ with varying price options. We encourage families to contribute as much as they are comfortable with in order to support this program and its future. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will pay the difference owed on each camp fee. It is important to note that all camp fees are subsidized. The “pay what you can” prices will reflect these subsidies. 

All host sites are equipped to provide immediate medical care for campers should they require it. Registered nurses reside on site for the duration of camp to ensure all campers’ medical needs are well taken care of. This includes facilitating feeding tubes, helping with ostomy care, administering medications, and first aid for scrapes, bumps, and bruises.

All camp host sites understand the dietary restrictions and food allergies children with chronic illnesses may face. All kitchens aim to provide nutritious and delicious meals to all campers with options that suit their specific diets and allergies.

All camp locations are nut free.

All camp host sites offer comfortable cabins for campers to enjoy. Campers will be divided into cabins based on gender and age. All cabins include bathroom and shower facilities. All sites have bathroom facilities located in additional buildings, including the dining hall and medical centre.

Homesickness is a normal part of camp, especially if it’s a camper’s first time away from home. The camp nurses, staff, and volunteers are there to support the campers and ensure that each camper enjoys their time.

Please contact info@campgot2go.ca. Please allow 2-3 business days for our Camp Got2Go team to respond.