Dear Personal Support Worker and Parent/Guardian,

Are you looking for a fantastic experience this summer? Then BC Easter Seals may be the place for you… We offer exceptional programs for children and youth with physical and/or mental disabilities. This package will help you understand our programs, services and this application process.

This is an opportunity to provide some general information about our camps, programs, the registration process and what it means to be a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at one of our camps. Please clarify early on any questions you may have regarding our environment, program activities, roles and responsibilities, etc.; this will aid in creating a smoother transition into our camping spaces. We want to make you feel as comfortable as possible so that together we can work towards creating a marvelous camping experience for all campers.

The focus of the BC Easter Seals Camping Program is to provide a camping experience that facilitates growth in independence, self-esteem, and peer interaction through nature based outdoor activities. Our staff establishes a safe, warm, fun, supportive and encouraging environment which allows campers to focus on their abilities.

The role of a PSW at camp is to strike a balance between providing the necessary personal care and support required by your camper and promoting your camper to get involved in new and challenging ways. Camp is a high-paced environment. Days are usually fairly long and there is only a one-hour rest break. While you will receive support from the two counsellors working with the buddy group you and your camper have been assigned to, as a PSW you will be required continuously throughout the week and this may include evening/night work. Camp is not a remote wilderness experience, but it is not luxurious either. We get down and dirty at camp. We try to help and support the PSW when and where possible, but much of the energy and drive must come from the PSW. Remember: In a large way the PSW determines the camper’s experience.

The PSW and the family/guardian enter into a private contract for remuneration. The BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities and BC Easter Seals Camps have no financial obligation to the PSW. The PSW must meet with all staff norms and regulations for hiring and behaviour. On occasion we can offer some names of people interested in working as a PSW. Please contact us for further information.

As a Personal Support Worker you are regarded as a valuable member of our staff as well as a professional care provider. We therefore ask that you abide by the same policies and procedures as our full time summer staff.

With your confirmation you will receive a handbook that contains important information so that both yourself and the Society can feel confident about our interaction during the upcoming camping session.  We have a sample of this handbook available here.  (please note, this will be updated before the 2010 camping season.)  Please ensure that you have thoroughly read this document. You must arrive at camp with the agreement signed and this must be handed over to the Camp Coordinators before you begin working.

The BC Lions Society reserves the right to decline to work with a Personal Support Worker. This right also extends to sending the PSW and Camper home if the Society’s policies and procedures are disregarded, or the Camper’s care is deemed unsatisfactory by our staff.

The 2010 PSW application must be either be filled out online (follow link at the bottom of the page) or printed, completely filled out, and mailed to the Vancouver head office at:

Attn: Camp Registrar

The BC Lions Society

3981Oak Street

Vancouver, BC V6H 4H5

Registration operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. As a result, we are not always able to accommodate your first choice of camp session. If the camp in your area is fully booked, we will do our best to accommodate you at one of our other two sites. A camper’s registration will be confirmed only after we have received ALL paperwork pertaining to the child’s stay at camp. This includes pages 3-6 of this document, the Camper Registrations Forms (separate document) and a copy of a recent (within the past six months) Criminal Record Check.

We are able to accommodate a maximum of 6 PSWs in each camp session, and these spots fill quickly. If your child attends camp with a PSW, we recommend you return your forms promptly, as we cannot process an application until all forms are received.

Working together we hope to create lifelong camp memories for all our campers. Please take look around our website for more information about our programs, camper registration, or frequently asked questions for PSW's.

Do not hesitate to contact our Camp Registrar or our Camp Administrator, at (604) 873-1865 or toll free 1-800-818-4483.