AMHERST – Camp Tidnish is part of a national competition that could see $50,000 spent on accessible playground equipment for the camp owned by the Amherst Rotary Club and operated by Easter Seals Nova Scotia.
The camp is participating in the Aviva Community Fund competition in which Aviva will invest in community initiatives across the country with voting running through Oct. 19.
In eight years, Aviva has committed $7.5 million in project funding across the country.
“From an accessibility point of view and in recreation this would be such a game-changer for our camp,” Easter Seals director of development John MacDonald said. “We want to have a situation where people with wheelchairs and walkers could easily enter into a playground setting. Our goal is for all campers to be involved in ad exposed to the facets of being physically active and the benefits of a healthy life style.”
To cast a ballot for Camp Tidnish, click here:
You will have to register and will receive 18 votes upon a completed registration.
Easter Seals’ approach to summer camp includes activities like adaptive canoe/kayak sessions, daily accessible swimming, yoga, and a variety of creative and adaptive sports and games that empathize being more physically active. It grows various types of food in its accessible raised garden beds and promotes the garden to plate philosophy of healthy eating.
The camp wants to add an adaptive archery program and install a much-needed fully accessibly outdoor play space.
“With up to 300 children, youth and adults participating in our camp programs, these added activities will provide more physical activity during the camp sessions,” he said.
This will be achieved with the supplying and installation of new accessible play space with ramps, rubber flooring, height adjustable equipment, roll on swing set and elevated sand boxes and lowered play items, such as game panels and accessible routes and paths.
The new archery range will provide another physical and visual based activity.
Nova Scotians with disabilities face challenges on a daily basis that many do not have to consider.
In a province with the highest ratio of persons with disabilities in Canada (20 per cent per capita), Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s primary focus has been to deliver high quality services and programs to children, youth, and adults with disabilities since 1931.
Easter Seals is a primary destination for Nova Scotians with disabilities seeking information, support, equipment and opportunities.
Easter Seals also advocates for a barrier-free province and promotes inclusion, independence, and mobility for Nova Scotians with disabilities.
“Many barriers exist that limit or rule out active participation in physical activity, community participation, employment, and socialization. From simple activity we take for granted such as swinging on a swing in the local playground to joining teammates on the soccer pitch, Nova Scotians with disabilities are often relegated to the sidelines,” MacDonald said.
Other barriers limit access to gainful employment and career building opportunities, and financial barriers prohibit many with disabilities from accessing wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
Statistics show significantly lower levels of participation among physically disabled persons compared to those who are non-disabled. Persons with disabilities are often unable to participate and are left watching from the sidelines.
“Our goal is that once our campers have experienced and are exposed to healthy living and increased physical activity, they will return home to seek out and participate in more recreational activities on an on-going basis,” he said.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
