Spike and Wave Club
from a report by Diane Findlay, Executive Director of Epilepsy Ontario,
to the Provincial Council Meeting, 28 September 1997
This year, Epilepsy Ontario was responsible for co-ordinating efforts towards the Epilepsy Children's Camp. Epilepsy Ontario, the Division of Neurology (Hospital for Sick Children), Epilepsy Research Fund of Canada, Kinsmen/Kinette Clubs, and Epilepsy Chapters in Ontario formed a partnership to provide a quality integrated camping experience from 29 June to 13 July for children living with epilepsy.
The camp is able to accommodate 5 children with intractable epilepsy with one-on-one care and up to 50 campers each season. Each camper must want to attend and be able to function independently in the activities of daily living (toilette, washing, dressing, etc.).
The camp, located at Camp Couchiching near Orillia, is a co-ed residential camp for children 7-17 years of age. Children have the opportunity to participate in such activities as archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming and overnight camping trips. Campers stay in cabins with Camp Couchiching counselors. Two full time nurses and one nurse on stand-by were hired by Epilepsy Ontario to supplement the camp nurses during the two week period.
The cost of the camp this year was $762. for a two-week session, or $405. for a one- week session. A minimum contribution of $100. for each camper was requested from all families; financial assistance was offered upon request. Costs for Nursing were an additional $3,000.
This year we accommodated 33 campers, for a total of 63 camper weeks. Campers came from all over Ontario, with one repeat camper who had moved to Kansas.
Donations for sponsorships were received from Epilepsy Research Fund of Canada, Kinsmen Clubs, Epilepsy Oakville, Epilepsy Durham, Epilepsy York Region, Epilepsy Huron-Perth-Bruce and Le Club Optimiste in Durham Region.
I would like to thank the committee (Sabina Erlich, Co-Chair, Epilepsy Research Fund of Canada; Jennifer Dundas, Camp Couch; Erline Llamas and Anita Allen, Hospital for Sick Children; Don Moore and Gord Robinson, the Kinsmen Clubs; Merrily Beauchemin, Epilepsy Chapters).
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Kimura, our volunteer who helps co-ordinate correspondence and camp activities for Epilepsy Ontario. I am delighted that Debbie Tuckwell (Epilepsy Durham) has offered to join our committee for 1998 and welcome anyone else who would like to help us with this project.
Tentative dates for 1998 –
28 June to 12 July.
