WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS?
GGender Identity & Expression:
For the most part, campers can participate without having to identify one's gender. That said, we do use gender-segregated changerooms/washrooms. We understand that this falsely perpetuates the idea of gender as a binary and presents other barrier to our building an inclusive camp community. We acknowledge this shortcoming and train our staff to understand gender as a spectrum and to both demonstrate and teach acceptance, respect and support for all campers to participate as they identify, in the programs or changerooms that they feel best fits their gender-identity.
Inclusion:
Q Camps are committed to creating a welcoming community where everyone is accepted and included. We believe in:
- Creating fair opportunities for everyone at Camp
- Making sure everyone at Camp feels safe.
- Communicating and working collaboratively with everyone in our community
- Providing opportunities at Camp for everyone to share their ideas and have their voices heard.
- Keeping an open mind
- Continuing to build a community where everyone feels welcome, safe and included.
- Encouraging everyone at Camp to share and participate
While we are not currently able to offer direct one-on-one support for children with exceptionalities/special needs, we do aspire to create a welcoming and inclusive camp opportunity for children of all abilities. To set your campers and our staff up for a safe and successful session, we:
- Hire dedicated Inclusion Counsellors to create Camper Support Plans.
- Aspire to work with families to review and assess how their child's needs may or may not be able to be supported by our staff.
- Welcome families providing their own support person/worker to attend camp in support of their child (must be communicated prior to camp)
Please contact us at qcamps@queensu.ca to discuss how we are able to support your child.
WHAT ARE CAMPER SUPPORT PLANS?
Camper Support Plans help our team understand and meet campers’ unique needs. They’re created using family-provided information, shared only with relevant staff, and are kept secure to ensure confidentiality when not in use. Here are examples of hypothetical Camper Support Plans. Please note, only the Camp Leadership Team and the Counsellors working directly with your camper will have access to this document and information.
MY CHILD HAS AUTISM. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THEM?
We encourage families to share key strategies that work for their child (e.g., sensory needs, preferred communication styles).
We aim to provide structured routines to help campers feel comfortable.
Our staff are trained in supportive strategies, such as giving clear instructions and offering sensory breaks when needed.
HOW DO YOU ACCOMMODATE CAMPERS WITH ADHD?
We offer flexible activity options and movement breaks to help with focus.
Staff provide clear expectations and positive reinforcement to support engagement.
We encourage families to share specific strategies that help their child thrive in group settings.
MY CHILD HAS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY. WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Our camp facilities are wheelchair accessible, including our Aquatics facility with specialized equipment.
We will discuss individual needs with families to ensure accessibility in programming.
If additional support is needed, families are welcome to provide a support worker.
ARE YOUR FACILITIES WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Our ARC Facilities are wheelchair accessible as well as our Aquatics facility. We have a portable pool lift, water wheelchairs, and a ramp.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CHILD’S NEEDS?
Please email us at qcamps@queensu.ca to discuss how we can support your child’s camp experience.