Get to know our program
The Newfoundland and Labrador branch of Diabetes Canada has operated Camp Douwanna for children with type 1 diabetes since 1964. When camp began, it operated out of Burry Heights (Pouch Cv.) and continued to be held there each summer until 1980.
In the summer of 1981, the construction of a new campsite began at Foxtrap. During the construction years, camps were held at Mackinsons in 1981-82 and in 1983, a camp was held at Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp at Bishop’s Falls in central Newfoundland.
In 1985, camp moved to the site of Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, where it remained until 2013 when in 2014, Camp Douwanna moved to its new home at Camp Lavrock on Salmonier Line.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Diabetes Canada’s D-Camps requires that staff, volunteers and all D-Camps participants’ eligible (aged 5+) for the COVID-19 vaccine be fully vaccinated prior to their arrival at D-Camps for in-person programming. For D-Camps, fully vaccinated means two doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine. Diabetes Canada’s vaccination policy is based on the recommendations of D-Camps’ National Medical Task Force as one measure to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Participants will be asked to use their province’s verification systems as the means for demonstrating proof of vaccination. The D-Camps Medical Task Force is comprised of 11 individuals from across the country from a variety of health-care professions, including pediatric endocrinologists, ER physicians, registered nurses and certified diabetes educators. D-Camps will accommodate all individuals who are entitled to vaccination exemptions. Thank you for your support in protecting the health and safety of our campers, families, employees, and community. |
Camp life
Located on the shore of Southwest Pond, the camp has ample space for field sports and more. Featuring 10 cabins that can house 10 campers each, there is also a main lodge which accommodates dining and indoor programs, and a scenic waterfront that hosts our swimming and canoeing programs.
Campers will stay in cabins nestled together in a half circle facing the main lodge. All of the cabins have electricity and are equipped with bathrooms and showers.
Land acknowledgement
We recognize that our work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across Canada. We also wish to acknowledge that Camp Douwanna, hosted at Camp Lavrock, is located on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Mi’kmaq and the Beothuk. We would also like to recognize the Inuit of Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut and the Innu of Nitassinan, and their ancestors, as the original people of Labrador. Today, Holyrood, Newfoundland, is home to many Indigenous people, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to meet and work on this territory. We wish to express gratitude for the resources on this land we are using, and honour all the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people who have been living on the land since time immemorial.
Diabetes Canada knows that land acknowledgement is only a first step in the essential act of reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous peoples.
About the Camp
Campers & Staff
Our campers
Camp Douwanna accommodates 48 campers, ages 7 to 14.
No transportation is provided to or from camp. Please let us know if you need assistance and we will support you in finding ways to get your camper to camp.
Our staff
Counsellors and instructors
The Camp Douwanna counsellors and instructors come to us from:
- D-Camps’ Leadership Development Program
- Local universities
- Other D-Camps teams
Each cabin has two counsellors who travel with and supervise campers 24 hours a day.
Health-care team
The Douwanna health-care team comes to us from:
- Diabetes education clinics across Newfoundland
- Family practices
- All departments within the Newfoundland Health Authorities
Diabetes educators, nurses, physicians, registered dietitians and medical students make up this wonderful group and are part of the cabin team.
Activities
Archery
A selection of archery equipment will allow your camper to try out their hand-eye coordination with an archery instructor teaching them the basics of the skill.
Art
Our art program helps campers explore their creative side, expand their knowledge of art techniques and history, all while using the beautiful setting of Camp Douwanna for inspiration.
Electives
The Electives Program is designed to let your camper participate in activities that are unique and provide a different set of challenges than those listed above. Campers get to choose these activities individually. Some past examples include: yoga, mad scientist and pottery.
Skills
Our older campers (ages 13 and 14) get to participate in our skills program during the elective slot, which is designed to let your camper focus on activities they are interested in and work to improve their skills in those activities. At the beginning of the week, campers are offered a choice of three activities they may be interested in and are placed into one of those three choices. Campers then spend the next four days in the same skills area working with instructors to build on what they learned the previous day.
Sports and games
Campers will have fun in a safe environment where they will learn new sports & games not traditionally played at home. Past examples include: Quidditch, Field Hockey and Crab Leg Soccer.
Swimming
We offer a recreational swimming program where the activity instructor will run a variety of games and challenges for the kids. The pool and waterfront are always supervised by a National Lifeguard Service (NLS)-certified lifeguard who is also assisted by others with NLS or Bronze Cross certifications.
Theme meals
The theme meals for Camp Douwanna 2019 have been selected. Keep reading below to see what they are and a brief description of each.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Royalty | Show off your posh side with some outrageous head wear and fancy fashion |
| Retro | 70's? 20's? 90's? Pick a decade and get your groove on |
| Canadian | Eh bys want to show off your red and white pride? Get ready for some poutine, maple syrup and plaid |
| Sci-fi | We're taking our meal out of this world. Let your imagination wander to infinity and beyond or the upside-down |
| PJ Breakfast | Wear your best pyjmamas for breakfast on the last day of camp |
| Banquet | Save a nice outfit for the last supper at camp. Whether that be a dress or shirt and tie |
Theme meals are a great way to get involved and we encourage any campers who are interested to dress up. Remember costumes can be made from items found around the house or at your local dollar store. Get creative!
Guides
In the guide, you will find information on:
- Packing lists
- Directions and transportation for drop off and pick up
- Mailing address
Rates & Dates
| Age | Rate |
|---|---|
| Youth (7-14) | $500 |
If this fee is a challenge for you and your family Diabetes Canada offers subsidies to those who qualify for financial assistance. These subsidies are made possible through the generous support of various donors.
It is our responsibility to ensure that donations go to support families experiencing financial hardship that would make attending camp impossible.
To determine eligibility for a subsidy, you will be asked to complete a financial assistance application. When reviewing applications, income will not be the only consideration in whether an applicant qualifies for subsidy. Our goal is to ensure that all campers have an opportunity regardless of their financial situation while using donations as prudently as possible.
Who is eligible for financial support?
You may be eligible for a subsidy if you:
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Receive financial assistance from an identified government program, OR
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Experience financial hardship and do not receive government financial assistance.
What does financial hardship mean?
Financial hardship means that a person has difficulty paying for basic daily living expenses (e.g. food, shelter, clothing), and does not have access to savings or other financial resources.
Note: Supporting documents will be required to determine eligibility. Please be prepared to provide a copy of your paystub, T4 or Notice of Assessment to accompany your application.
Important to note:
To ensure that we are providing equitable access to financial assistance we will not be able to consider you request until you have completed the financial assistance application form in full. This includes the requested supporting documents