The British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilites

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND TO ENABLE ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THROUGH OUR OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP & CITY DAY CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS AGES 6-49 YEARS OLD WE PROVIDE FULLY INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR CAMPS IN THREE LOCATIONS AROUND THE PROVINCE OFFERING ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING TO HELP CAMPERS DEVELOP THEIR SELF-AWARENESS IMPROVE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE PROVIDE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES AND CREATE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. CITY DAY CAMPS ARE OFFERED TO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH EMPOWERING EXPERIENCES TO BUILD LIFE SKILLS SELF ESTEEM AND INDEPENDENCE. BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE FUN SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS CAMPERS RETURN HOME WITH IMPROVED SKILLS AND BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. CAMPS OFFER BOTH A MAGICAL EXPERIENCEFOR CAMPERS AND AN IMPORTANT RESPITE FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. THE SOCIETY BEGAN OFFERING VIRTUAL CAMP EXPERIENCES. THE CAMP@HOME PROGRAM PROVIDED DAY CAMPS ON-LINE CLASSES AND SOCIAL EVENTS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY COPE WITH NEW CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. THE PROGRAMS ADDRESSED ISOLATION FOSTERED SOCIALIZATION AND PROVIDED RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS.

IN 2022/23 WE LAUNCHED OUR CLIENT SERVICES PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BRING NEW STRATEGIES TO ENSURE THE SOCIETY CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND PERSONS OF ALL AGES WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES. OUR COMPASS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP LATE TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS BE MORE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL WORK INDEPENDENT LIVING AND THEIR TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. WE ALSO BEGAN PREPARING FOR OUR FALL 2022 LAUNCH OF COMPASSWORKS A FULL-TIME 22-WEEK ON-THE-JOB WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM AT EASTER SEALS HOUSE IN VANCOUVER THAT GIVES CERTIFICATION TO OBTAIN ENTRY LEVEL EMPLOYMENT IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY. WE ARE CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING NEW AND CREATIVE WAYS DELIVER OUR PROGRAMS TO BRITISH COLUMBIANS.