Helping Hand Programs

For the True Cost of Fraser Lake Camp, click here.

Offering a Helping Hand at Camp

As a charity, Willowgrove is guided by organizational Values like “Building Community” and “Welcoming Diversity.” Which is why we created the Helping Hand Program.

Every community is made up of unique personalities, needs, and abilities, but a welcoming community allows each unique individual to feel at home and to thrive. 

Willowgrove’s Helping Hand Program ensures that children and families have access to inclusive and welcoming community by offering two branches of support: 

Please click on the links above to learn how the Helping Hand Program can best support your family.

Helping Hand Subsidy Program

Willowgrove understands that financial obstacles limit many families from being able to access its life changing programs. Knowing the benefit of being in nature to learn and grow together, it’s our mission to ensure that as many children as possible have the opportunity to experience this. 

Willowgrove provides two levels of subsidy support for our families. Please review the options below and apply based on the needs of your family. Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you to discuss options.

Level 1*

Open to all families facing financial need. Qualifying households will receive 50% off program fees for up to two weeks for each camper in their household. 

This program is donor supported through Willowgrove’s year-round fundraising initiatives. Although there is no deadline to apply for this program, funds are limited. 

Level 2 

Open to families earning less than $80,000/year. Qualifying households will receive between 66% and 100% off program fees for up to two weeks for each camper in their household. 

This program is supported with help from Kids in Camp and the Toronto Star’s Fresh Air Fund. The deadline to apply will be in early spring 2025.

*Eligible for additional multi-week and sibling discounts where applicable.  

Helping Hands Subsidy Application

Helping Hand Support Workers

Willowgrove understands that some campers will need occasional support throughout the day. Similar to having ECEs and EAs in a classroom setting, the Helping Hand Support Worker Program brings in extra support from trained staff to ensure your camper has what they need to thrive.

Willowgrove provides two levels of additional staff supports for campers. Please review the options below and apply based on the needs of your camper. Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you to discuss options.

Occasional Support

This program supports a variety of needs, andis available to campers who may need occasional supports throughout the day. This can look different for each child, but can range from experiencing social anxiety, or grief, to needing help with certain activities, and/or transitioning from one activity to the next. 

In this program, one additional staff* is assigned to a few different campers, floating between groups as needed, at no additional cost. 

One-on-One

This program supports a variety of diagnoses, and abilities, and is designed for campers who may require ongoing, daily assistance. 

In this program, campers receive one-on-one support from either an external support worker, or a dedicated Willowgrove staff person*, at no additional cost. 

*In order to provide the highest quality of care, and to properly support our campers in a safe environment, Willowgrove employs trained staff to oversee the Support Worker Program. Since capacities for these programs are impacted by staff availability, spaces for enrollment are limited.

What is the Value of a Week at Fraser Lake Camp?

Summer after summer we see kids make new friends, become more confident, and develop incredible leadership skills. We also get to see the look on their faces when they try archery for the first time, or learn to mountain bike, rock climb, or canoe.

But how does Willowgrove quantify these experiences? Believing deeply in the profound impacts of these opportunities, it’s our goal to keep program fees as low as possible in order to increase accessibility.

The True Cost of Camp?

Campers at Fraser Lake Camp (FLC) stay for a week in beautiful Bancroft in a lakeside, timber-frame cabin, receiving a total of 15 meals, 11 snacks, 5 pieces of tuck, and at least a couple s’mores.

Financially, this costs Willowgrove about $1,562/camper, but in 2023, we only charged about 57% of this cost (before discounts).

We know that many families are struggling, and although we work hard to offset these costs (donations, grants, etc.) - like everything - the price of running camp has drastically increased.

Over the years, Willowgrove has had to raise program fees, which will need to continue. However, we remain committed to keeping our programming fees as accessible as possible.