.@TeddyOutReady: Camp Ooch Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Camp Ooch Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Camp Ooch
This year Camp Ooch celebrates 30th anniversary, thirty incredible years making a difference in kids’ lives and bringing unique and innovative programs for children affected by childhood cancer. Camp Oochigeas is a privately funded, volunteer-based organization that operates at their outdoor site in Muskoka, at SickKids Hospital, and at the Ooch Downtown facility in Toronto.

Camp Ooch Winter

Camp Oochigeas (Ooch) is the only residential camp in Canada to offer on-site chemotherapy IV treatment and blood transfusions. In safe environment and with knowledgeable staff kids can participate in numerous activities the camp offers, from canoeing, archery, swimming, waterskiing to dog sledding and rock climbing, there are so many to choose from. And the most important, Camp Ooch is the place to make new friends, try new things, be close to the nature and experience the real camp life. When I was a child I visited a camp almost every year and it was unforgettable experience. I made so many friends there, learnt different skills which helped me in adult life and finally, I was simply happy there, as only a child could be.

Camp Ooch Lake

Camp Ooch does not receive and government funding and operates only with help of its sponsors, donors and volunteer, making sure that over 800 children are able to visit the Camp Oochigeas every year at no cost to their families. Every kid deserves to experience the camp magic, explore new activities, have achievements even little ones, laugh, have fun and enjoy their childhood. That’s what Camp Ooch is all about!

You can find more about Camp Ooch on their website here: http://www.ooch.org/. And check this great video highlighting Ooch's 30 years.

22 comments :

  1. I've never heard of this camp (probably because I don;t live in Canada), but I think it's wonderful that they have something like this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a most excellent idea, I hope ideas like this really catch on!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so awesome. When my mom was fighting cancer, I was shocked to see first-hand how many kids were receiving chemo and radiation treatments, as well. This sounds like a great place I would love to research further and share with the Oncology dept. at our local hospital to make families aware of it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This Camp Ooch sounds like a wonderful place for kids who are going through the battle of cancer. What a great way to keep their spirits up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is an amazing idea, I have never heard about it. There is one in upstate NYC very similar - it really helps the children.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh wow what an amazing camp - that is so cool that they can take time away while still getting the care they need :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful place! I live in the US and think that maybe someone should start something like that here. It helps to keep the little cancer patients minds on positive rather then negative things-always important.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great place to have available to the kids who need it. Anything that would help them take their mind of being sick and healing is a great thing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree, every kids deserves a chance to go to camp. My daughter did and loved it. I think that a camp that is dedicated to children who are ill is a wonderful place.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is such an amazing camp. I had never heard of it before since it is in Canada, but everyone deserves to be able to go to camp.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is so awesome that they do something like this! I bet it helps these families so much!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great place for children who are ill. All kids deserve a chance to go to camp and this is such a great cause.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks like a wonderful place where children make some magical memories. Unfortunately, many children will not have the opportunity to attend these types of camps. It is a great cause for many deserving children.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful place. I didn't know that camps like this existed but this has to be a really fun and supportive experience for kids going through cancer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I loved camp when I was younger. It really was a place to make new friends and I did that. This sounds like a great place!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The top photo is priceless! I don't know if I've heard of another facility similar to this and I appreciate you sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's really great to have such a great movement and making it survive all these years.

    ReplyDelete
  18. what a great opportunity for the sick kids. some place where they are more than their ailment.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful program!! I never really went away to camp as a child, but I always wanted to - I hoped it would be a bit like the Parent Trap, haha! How great for those kids to have a fun and fulfilling experience while dealing with such difficulties.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great idea! This sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, sponsor supported? So glad things like this are in existence. Hope another 30 years is ahead for them.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm not from Canada so I haven't heard of this but think the camp is a great idea and hope they get lots of donations to keep working

    ReplyDelete