Buddy Program ensures camp is inclusive for all

Summer camp in Orillia has started the Day Camp Buddy Program that helps kids with intellectual and physical disabilities or social issues take part fully.

It’s just about time for the school year to wrap up when kids can trade in their books for outdoor fun in the sun.

Many will be headed off to camp this summer, but what may have prevented some from attending in the past, a specialized program is ensuring all can enjoy the camp experience—barrier-free.

The City of Orillia’s summer camps offer a buddy system of sorts, ensuring every kid can have a fully integrated camp experience.

What is the Buddy Program?

The Buddy Program partners kids who may need extra support, whether it’s intellectually, physically or socially, with a buddy, so they can take part in the camp’s full programming lineup just like the rest of the kids.

The one-on-one support helps kids with diverse needs build friendships, learn new skills, have fun and create lifelong memories.

“The goal of the program is to remove barriers and create intentional recreation opportunities for every child,” says Haley Birch, program coordinator with the City of Orillia.

Kids who might benefit from having a buddy could have physical, visual, hearing or developmental challenges. Kids who have anxiety or social challenges and need help staying engaged in activities could also benefit.

One of those kids is Sasha Bromett.

Sasha’s story

Sasha Bromett has Cerebral Palsy and was partnered up with Buddy, Kayliegh Noble. The pair met at a leadership training camp last year.

Bromett said prior to being partnered with Noble, she couldn’t engage fully in the activities with the other kids.

“Before then, I wasn’t allowed to go to camps and stuff because of the problems I kind of dealt with and the things I kind of couldn’t do like balance on one foot or walk or do anything. Or like swim or run, like how other kids do,” Bromett tells CTV News. “So I just kind of felt left out of that situation and went through a lot of anxiety.”

However, when she paired up with Noble, that’s when things drastically changed.

“It really made me feel confident about myself,” Bromett says.

Noble also noticed a big difference.

“Just seeing her confidence grow so much over those couple of weeks, and she just truly came out of her shell,” says Noble.

Bromett’s grandfather is fundraising, in hopes the program will start to spread in other ways throughout the community.

“It was a great opportunity to expand beyond Sasha’s experience,” says Don Bromett, Sasha’s grandfather. “And how do we now take this into the broader community and allow other children to experience the same things?”

The City holds the camp experience at a high regard.

“Our campers, leaders and staff learn that not all children look the same, act the same, communicate the same, or play the same, but every child deserves a place in camp,” says Birch.

The program, which has been running for more than 10 years, is made possible by community sponsorships and donations, so families whose kids will use the Buddy Program, pay the same camp registration fee.

Historically, there was a cost to families, but with that changing, Birch has high hopes for the future of the program.

“Not only does the Buddy Program provide a little bit of less barrier for these kids, our hope with the financial barrier being removed, that more participants can enjoy it,” says Birch.

The buddies provide encouragement, support communication and social interaction and offer adaptations to activities for inclusivity.

Bromett and Noble have now formed a unique and powerful bond.

“Though I was working for her, I felt like we were just with each other as best friends,” Noble tells CTV News.

Due to the positive experience Bromett had with the Buddy Program, she now regularly volunteers at the City’s art programs.

No specific qualifications are needed to be a buddy, just a genuine interest in making a different in someone else’s life. The City will provide all the specialized training needed to be successful.

For those interested in applying to be a buddy, they can learn more by going to the City of Orillia’s website.