G.R.O.W.
GROUP RECREATION OUTDOOR & WILDERNESS PROGRAM
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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The Group Recreation Outdoor & Wilderness (G.R.O.W.) day program is an initiative geared toward youth and adults aged 12 years old and up with intellectual & developmental delays as well as diagnosed with Autism in Ottawa's West End (Kanata / Carp area).
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Our mission is to offer a safe and supportive environment where participants can practice leading a healthy and independent lifestyle by building a strong connection with nature and being physically active.
Through organized physical and outdoor education activities, our team will create opportunities for participants to develop a wide range of skills including leadership,
peer-support and cooperation.
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Our programs offer opportunities for strong life skill development, empowerment, communication & self-esteem development.
Using nature-based interventions & wilderness therapy as a tool to promote health and well-being in individuals of all abilities.
The program includes activities such as sports and skills development, nutrition, dance and self expression, as well as a variety of wilderness-based programming such as low ropes courses, climbing walls, and vertical playgrounds.
Participants will learn how to build and maintain relationships, foster a connection with nature and their environment, and participate actively in their community.
Our day-program that would have a dual benefit of offering respite to the parents/caregivers for extended hours during the day, while allowing the individuals to live healthy, positive and inspiring experiences with their peers.
ACTIVITIES
Our team's carefully developed programming increases self-esteem, physical and motor skills, and also teaches teamwork, communication and respect. Through exciting daily activities and weekly outings (transportation included), our program focuses on meeting the social, intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of participants in a natural setting.
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Our summer on-site activities include: low ropes, rock climbing, vertical playground, archery, arts and crafts, cooking & nutrition, inflatables, and several sports.
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RATIOS
The G.R.O.W program is lead by a team of highly qualified and experienced staff. To ensure a safe experience for our participants, the ratio is 2:1 (2 participants to one staff member).
STAFF
Our on-site daily team consists of:
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Program Manager/Lead instructor
(Registered Recreation Therapist/Program director and Physical Educator with a degree in Human Kinetics)
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Team Counselors
(Developmental Service Workers, Youth service workers,Physical educators, Kinesiologists, Recreation therapists and Recreation therapy students.)
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All of our staff members have an updated CPR/AED and standard first aid certifications along with non-violent crisis intervention, autism in sports and recreation, and other outdoor-specific training. All staff has completed a mandatory vulnerable sector police check.
LOCATION & DATES
LOCATION & DATES
Thanks to a wonderful partnership with 5 Star Camps, we are pleased to offer our G.R.O.W summer program at the beautiful 35 acres of natural woodland, home of 5 Star Camps in the Carp area.
Our summer program is offered from July to mid-August 2020, weekly from Monday-Friday.
Weekly dates and community outings can be found below or under our program registration tab. Participants are required to register by selecting the weeks they would like to attend throughout the summer.
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5 Star camps offers a one-of-a-kind experience for children & youth of Ottawa with their Outdoor Experiential Education and Wilderness Centre!
5 Star Camps takes pride in their ability to provide an exciting summer experience and is only day camp in the area that offers an Outdoor Experiential Education Program for ages 5-12. This incredible low ropes course and climbing wall/Vertical Playground includes initiative games, and many more adventure based activities that challenge children to challenge themselves. All facilities are verified through yearly third-party safety inspections and certifications as well as extensive staff training and certifications.
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Please visit their website for an overview of their programs and facilities! www.5starcamps.ca/
PRICING DETAILS
We offer a weekly rate of 420$+HST (85$/day) which includes the following services:
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Complementary intake interview & individual assessment
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Specialized activities & programming from 9-3pm daily
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2:1 ratios with our qualified & fully certified team
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One (1) weekly community outing*
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Two (2) daily nutritional snacks - participants are asked to bring their own lunch
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Daily support, observation & specialized intervention by our qualified team
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*Weekly community outings include:
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Ottawa River Canoe Club - Canoe & Kayaking
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Sensplex - Sports day
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Dow's Lake & Arboretum
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Picnics at the beach
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Richmond Nursery farm
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Saunder's farm
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Hike & Picnic in Gatineau Park
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Nepean Superdome
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and many more!
We also offer the following options as add-on services:
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- Before and after hours care
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Busing program: Bus transportation to & from our location, with 8 different pick up/drop off points in the East end and West end
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See our registration page for more details
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