Get to know our program
Camp Morton was founded in 1990 by Lorne Abramson and Dr. Bruce Morton, founder of Camp Lion Maxwell. Originally started on the Jim Charles Group Camp Site within Kejimkujik National Park, Camp Morton remains there to this day.
The program began as an opportunity for campers aged 13 to 14 to experience living with diabetes in a natural setting, as part of the “Diabetes Without Borders” campaign. Since 2003, Camp Morton has accepted campers aged 13 to 15, but the core philosophy of living with diabetes in a camping setting has remained the same.
Camp Morton also offers a Leadership Development Program for 16-17 year olds that is shared with Camp Lion Maxwell.
Camp life
Camp Morton is set exclusively outdoors. There is one small shelter used for blood glucose (sugar) testing and diabetes management routines but otherwise, campers and staff are housed in tents provided by Diabetes Canada with up to four others, surrounded by the beauty of the Park.
Our camp has a unique kitchen area with BBQs, propane stoves and a large food prep space. Campers and staff eat under the “car port” for each snack and meal.
Flush toilets and running water are available on site and shower facilities are a short distance away.
Land acknowledgement
We recognize that our work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across Canada. We also wish to acknowledge that Camp Morton, hosted at Kejimkujik National Park, is located on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Mi’kmaq. Today, Kejimkujik National Park is still 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 Morton accommodates 40 campers, ages 13 to 15 from across the Maritimes.
Our staff
Counsellors and instructors
The camp program staff come to us from:
- D-Camps’ Leadership Development Program
- Camp Lion Maxwell staff team
Campers are supervised by program and medical staff 24 hours a day.
Health-care team
Our Healthcare Team is led by Dr. Arati Mokashi, Janice Knapp BNRN CDE and Deidre Burns RD.
The Morton Healthcare Team comes from:
- Diabetes education clinics across Nova Scotia
- Family practices
- All departments within the various Health Authorities across the Maritimes.
Diabetes educators, nurses, physicians, registered dietitians and medical students make up this wonderful group and are part of the cabin team.
Activities
Our campers participate in activities that inspire personal growth, encourage team-building and foster an appreciation of the outdoors, such as swimming, hiking, canoeing, sports and sweet talks (“fun with diabetes” sessions).
In the evenings, campers get to participate in all-camp games like ROCKS, Counsellor Hunt, Keji interpretive programs and more!
Hiking
While at camp, every group will have the opportunity to experience hikes/excursions on some of the amazing trails that Kejimkujik National Park offers
Outdoor cooking
Campers will have the opportunity to learn basic outdoor cooking skills that can help them in future camping excursions.
Outdoor education
Campers will have the opportunity to both play and learn outdoors while developing an understanding and respect for nature.
Canoeing
Our canoeing programs provide great opportunities to learn with their own instructor. Campers will learn the basics of operating canoes. All campers and staff will wear properly-sized personal flotation devices while canoeing.
Swimming
We offer a recreational swimming program where the activity instructor will run a variety of games and challenges for the kids. The waterfront is always supervised by a National Lifeguard Service (NLS)-certified lifeguard who is sometimes assisted by others with NLS or Bronze Cross certifications.
Skills
Campers also get to participate in our skills program during the afternoon activity 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.
Guides
In the guide, you will find information on:
- Packing lists
- Directions and transportation for drop off and pick up
- Mailing address
Rates & Dates
| Date | Rate |
|---|---|
| July 7 - July 12, 2024 | $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:
-
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