Respite Experience

St. Leonard’s Community Services in collaboration with Tim Horton Onondaga Farms are offering a respite camp getaway experience for children/youth aged 9 to 15 with mental health and/or behavioural challenges and/or dual diagnosis.

Camp Programs

In order to ensure that your child’s experience at the Respite Experience provides opportunities for fun and learning the following programs may be part of their experience:

Agriculture

The agricultural program will introduce your child to life on a working farm, from animal husbandry to crop raising.  Cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and a donkey are all part of the Tim Horton Onondaga Farms family.  The program provides a hands-on experience for your child to explore the crops, market gardens, barns, greenhouse and honeybee apiaries.

Environmental

Wetland exploration, guided walks on nature trails, insect collection, food webs, animal habitats, conservation and endangered species bring forests and fields alive as your child has the opportunity to explore the biggest classroom of all.  Environmental programs are designed to reflect seasonal changes in animals and plants.

Creative Arts

The possibilities are endless.  The creative arts programs will provide your child with the rare opportunity to develop their skills and interests in ceramics, sculpting, digital photography, drawing, painting, batik, mask making and other traditional crafts.  With the great outdoors at their fingertips environmental links are a natural fit for the creative arts program.

Astronomy

Explore the night sky like never before through a 16’’ aperture lens telescope in the Ronald V. Joyce Observatory.  The secrets of the night sky including the planets, moons, constellations, galaxies and folklore can be discovered in both daytime and evening astronomy programs.

Recreation and Adventure

Every season recreation and adventure programs will encourage your child to develop new skills, work cooperatively, build teams, take risks and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.  Tim Horton Onondaga Farms has a wonderful playground that boasts a vast network of nature trails, expansive playing field, archery range, Taylor Pond, and a climbing tower.

If you would like to learn more about the Respite Experience, contact Lisa Ramsay at the Addictions and Mental Health Centre (519) 754-0253, extension 304.

“I can go to a movie or to dinner with a friend… Most recently, I went to a workshop I wanted to go to for myself.  It was Friday night and all day Saturday.  I went and I came home and the house was intact and everyone was intact.  I felt relaxed.  I came back refreshed… Some people might say it’s a luxury and say it’s not important, but I would challenge them to spend 24 hours giving total care to a special needs child, and then they can see whether it is a luxury or need.  It’s very important for us to have that time for ourselves.  I really do rest.  The anxiety is gone.  The stress level is gone.  I don’t worry if they’re okay or whether they’re going to have fun.  I know they are going to be okay and I know they are going to have fun.”