By Lisa Gausman and Janet Paquet

Every summer, children and young people from across Canada gather at Easter Seals Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek, Alberta, for a week unlike any other. 

For more than 40 years, Ostomy Youth Camp has created a space where young people who have ostomies or other related medical needs can experience adventure, friendship, and the simple joy of being part of a community that understands them. 

The Mission Behind the Camp 

The mission of Ostomy Youth Camp is: “To provide an opportunity for young people aged 9–18 who have ostomies or other special related needs (internal pouch, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, bladder exstrophy, cancer, cecostomy tube, Mitrofanoff or spina bifida), to attend camp and participate in camp activities under professional supervision.” 

This mission is at the heart of everything the camp provides. It recognizes that young people with complex medical needs should have the opportunity to experience summer camp, adventure, friendship, and personal growth, with the specialized support needed to participate safely and confidently. 

At camp, a medical condition is only one part of who a young person is. The focus is on what they can do, what they want to try, and the friendships they can build. 

A Community That Understands 

From the moment campers arrive, they are surrounded by people who understand the unique challenges they may face. Camp Horizon staff work alongside dedicated volunteer mentors and specialized nurses with expertise in wound, ostomy, and continence care. 

For many campers, simply meeting other young people who have had similar experiences can be transformative. There is comfort in not having to explain every detail of their lives, and freedom in knowing they are among peers who understand. 

For Zachary M, meeting other kids with ostomies was one of the most meaningful parts of camp. The boys in his cabin quickly came to feel like brothers, and for the first time, he felt like he truly belonged. Seeing a mentor’s ostomy also helped Zachary recognize something important: having an ostomy did not have to define what his future could look like. His message after camp was simple: “1000%, I can’t wait to go to camp again.” 

Zachary says camp changed his life. 

His parents, Ryan and Dawn M., saw that change too. They were grateful that Zachary had the opportunity to meet other young people who were “like him” and came home talking about the friendships he had made. For them, camp also opened another door: the chance to connect with other parents of children with ostomies, something they had not experienced before. 

That sense of connection extends beyond the campers themselves. Camp creates a community for families who may otherwise feel that they are navigating an uncommon experience on their own. 

Adventure Without Limits 

Adventure is at the heart of Ostomy Youth Camp. 

Throughout the week, campers are encouraged to try new things and discover what they can do. Accessible activities include high- and low-ropes courses, zip lining, the giant swing, a splash pad, and a climbing wall. 

The adventures continue beyond the campgrounds. Campers can hike through the Rocky Mountain foothills or experience the excitement of rafting on a glacier-fed lake. 

For some campers, the activities at camp provide an opportunity to push beyond fears they may have at home. 

“At camp I push myself to do things that my parents and I are afraid for me to try at home.” 

Another camper described what those opportunities mean: 

“Being able to participate in all of the fun activities at camp shows me that I can do anything.” 

For Zachary, the giant swing and water fight were among his favorite activities, along with staying up with the older campers and enjoying the friendships that developed in his cabin. 

Maria also loved the chance to try new activities and spend time with friends. The high ropes, giant swing, and arts and crafts were particular highlights, but just as important was having a place where kids could be themselves and feel comfortable. 

Campers repeatedly describe the combination of adventure and support as something that allows them to try things they might otherwise hesitate to do. 

Building Independence and Confidence 

One of the most powerful impacts of camp can be seen in the independence campers develop throughout the week. 

The support of trained volunteers and specialized nurses allows campers to participate safely while also giving them opportunities to take greater responsibility for their own care. 

One camper described the pride that came from bringing that independence home: 

“When I got home from camp and was able to show my parents how independent I had become with my ostomy care made us all feel happy and proud.” 

For parents, moments like this can be especially meaningful. Camp provides a safe environment where young people can test their abilities, gain confidence, and learn that they are capable of doing more than they, or their families, may have thought possible. 

Jack’s family saw this growth firsthand. They described camp as a transformative experience for their son, who had often felt like the only child he knew with an ostomy. Discovering that there were many other young people just like him brought an enormous smile to his face. 

Camp also gave Jack the opportunity to travel independently and try activities he might never otherwise have experienced. His parents watched his confidence grow as he spent time with campers and Adult Mentors who understood what life with an ostomy is like. 

When Jack returned home, his response was immediate: he wanted to come back the following summer. 

His family also described camp as meaningful for them as parents. While Jack was having his own experiences and growing in confidence, they had the opportunity to reconnect with their other children and with each other. 

A Safe Space for Honest Conversations 

Alongside the physical adventures, specialized ostomy programming provides an important opportunity for campers to connect on a deeper level. 

During Magic Circle, campers can talk openly about their fears, hopes, questions, and experiences with peers who truly understand. Conversations may touch on body image, friendships, school, managing an ostomy, or the everyday challenges of living with a medical condition. 

Dean T’s family described Magic Circle as one of the most meaningful parts of his camp experience. It gave Dean an opportunity to talk openly about the everyday and personal challenges of living with an ostomy while being surrounded by kids who genuinely understood. 

That sense of being understood helped Dean feel supported and connected. 

For Maria, being part of a caring and supportive community was equally important. She appreciated the support of the Ostomy Nurses and Adult Mentors, as well as the friendships she formed with other campers. 

These conversations and relationships can help turn uncertainty into confidence. Campers learn practical strategies from one another, realize that their concerns are shared by others, and discover that they do not have to navigate these experiences alone. 

For some campers, simply finding out that a program like this exists is significant. 

“I wish that I had known about this camp a lot sooner than I did.” 

Another camper admitted: 

“My parents told me about this camp but I was too afraid to come, but now I wish that I had come sooner.” 

Those words capture an important part of the camp experience: sometimes the first step is simply believing that there is a place where you will fit in. 

A Camper’s Journey: From Reluctant Camper to Volunteer 

For Joel, camp began with a little reluctance. 

“The reason I first came to camp is truthfully because my mom made me.” 

His mom had heard about the program through BC Children’s Hospital, and although Joel was young and initially reluctant to go, camp quickly became an important part of his life. 

“What’s more important is the reason I kept coming back. I made many friends over the years I attended, and many I still talk to currently. I always felt welcome at camp. There was always someone to talk to when you needed it, whether that be a mentor or even a friend.” 

Coming back in a different role took some adjustment. 

“It was a little weird coming back as a volunteer. When I first got there part of me felt like I was still supposed to be a camper. I was not sure how it was going to go, but I would say I had just as much fun as if I were a camper.” 

This time, Joel was able to experience camp from the other side—supporting younger campers and helping make their week special. 

“Being able to be there for the younger kids and making sure everyone is having a great time. It’s a wonderful thing.” 

For Joel, returning to camp as a volunteer became another meaningful chapter in a relationship that began when he was a reluctant young camper. 

“It was a great experience for me, I learned a lot about myself and made bonds with the campers as well as the wonderful group of volunteers. Truly amazing people.” 

The Mentor Impact 

Joel’s journey from camper to volunteer reflects one of the most meaningful aspects of Ostomy Youth Camp: campers can eventually become the mentors and role models they once needed themselves. 

Eitan Tye came to camp from near Boston, Massachusetts, bringing both professional experience working with young people and his own experience living with Crohn’s disease and an ileostomy. 

Eitan has worked at summer camps for children with serious illnesses and other challenges for about 15 years. He was also looking for a way to become more involved with the ostomy community after recognizing how valuable mentors had been in his own journey toward surgery and recovery. 

“Living with an ostomy presents a unique set of experiences and challenges, and having mentors that modeled living a full life with an ostomy was deeply valuable for me as I was navigating the difficult road to surgery and an arduous recovery process.” 

After finding Ostomy Canada Camp while researching volunteer opportunities, Eitan traveled to Alberta for the first time as a mentor. He worked with the youngest campers and found the experience deeply meaningful. 

“I loved having conversations with the campers about their interests, goals, and passions, and watching them grow throughout the week.” 

He was struck by the family atmosphere at camp and the way campers looked after one another. 

“It was wonderful to see how the older campers looked after the younger ones; everyone—from the nurses and volunteers to the Horizon counselors and camp administrators—cared so much about the kids, camp’s mission, and supporting one another in the deepest way.” 

For Eitan, Magic Circle was particularly meaningful. Having participated in many emotional sharing circles as a teacher and counselor, he appreciated the intentional structure of Magic Circle and the way it encouraged campers to share their stories in a safe, communicative, and caring environment. 

The older campers’ intimacy talk also stood out to him. Relationships, body image, and intimacy can be challenging subjects for any teenager, and Eitan saw how the camp created a safe space for campers to explore those issues openly. 

“The intimacy talk provided such a safe, welcoming space to unpack these issues, and the campers shared openly and were so engaged and bought-in.” 

Eitan also appreciated the opportunity to learn from the other adults at camp and to contribute his own insights and experiences. 

His overall impression was one of connection and mutual support. 

“Camp is such a special place, and as someone who works with adolescents all year it was deeply gratifying to see kids so bought-in and supportive of one another. I hope to come back next year!” 

One current mentor described the experience this way: 

“As a volunteer mentor, it means the world to me to be able to show the younger campers what they are capable of doing and that they can do anything they dream to be possible.” 

For mentors, camp is not simply a week of volunteering. It can also be a place of renewal. 

“Camp is my happy place; it fills up my gas tank for all the other challenging weeks of the year.” 

For Zachary, seeing a mentor with an ostomy helped make his own future feel more familiar and possible. For other campers, Adult Mentors provide examples of people who have grown up, built relationships, pursued their own interests, and learned to live confidently with an ostomy. 

That relationship between campers and mentors creates a powerful cycle. Young people see adults who have navigated life with an ostomy or other medical needs and begin to imagine their own futures differently. In turn, former campers and new mentors can return to encourage the next generation. 

Hazen: A Graduation Filled With Memories 

For Hazen Nicholson, 2026 was a particularly meaningful year at Ostomy Canada Youth Camp. It was his graduation year—a moment that marked the end of his time as a camper and the beginning of a new chapter. 

“Ostomy Canada Youth Camp is an incredibly special place, and this year was especially meaningful because it was my graduation year.” 

At first, the significance of the moment did not fully sink in. But as the week progressed, Hazen realized that this would be his last time, at least for a while, experiencing camp as a camper and taking part in the activities he had come to know and love. 

Graduation brought a mixture of emotions. 

“Graduation was both sad and beautiful. It was a heartfelt send-off that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.” 

There were speeches, memories, jokes—and tears. Camp administrator Janet had written a speech, which Carly read in her absence. For Hazen, the words shared that day will remain with him. 

“There were definitely some tears, including a few of my own that were shed along the way with the reading of the speeches, words shared and memories relived.” 

By the end of the week, however, Hazen felt ready to embrace what comes next. 

“By the end of the week, though, I felt ready to start this new chapter of my life and embrace becoming an adult.” 

And while graduation marked the end of one chapter, Hazen already found himself looking toward a possible return—not as a camper, but as a volunteer mentor. 

“It also left me feeling excited about the possibility of returning in the future as a volunteer mentor and giving back to a camp that has given me so much.” 

Hazen also expressed his gratitude to the organizations and volunteers who made his camp experience possible. 

“A huge thank you to Ostomy Canada, Easter Seals, Ostomy Moncton, Ostomy Halifax, and especially all of the volunteers. Your dedication and support gave me the opportunity to attend this amazing camp, create unforgettable memories, and be part of such a special community.” 

“I am truly grateful for everything you’ve done to make this experience so meaningful.” 

A Mother’s Perspective: Watching Confidence Grow 

For Denise, Hazen’s mother as well as an NSWOC who has worked at Ostomy Camp for several years, camp offers a perspective that goes beyond the activities themselves. 

“Working as an NSWOC at Ostomy Camp for the last several years has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.” 

Denise describes the opportunity to support and spend time with campers as an experience she cherishes each year. For her, the role involves much more than managing medications and medical needs. 

“It also involves creating a safe, trusting environment where a camper feels understood, supported, and empowered so that they can focus on having fun.” 

One of the most meaningful aspects of camp, she says, is witnessing how campers grow over time. 

Some arrive nervous or fearful about the week ahead, with varying levels of dependence when it comes to their medical needs. Over time, Denise has had the opportunity to watch those same campers become more confident and independent. 

“It is an honour to witness campers take ownership of their health; to see them advocate their needs and to see their confidence grow as they try new experiences that they may not have previously done.” 

For Denise, this experience has been especially personal because she has also watched her own son, Hazen, attend camp and grow through the experience. 

“It has also been a very special experience observing my son Hazen attend camp as well and to see him grow into the amazing young man he has become.” 

Watching Hazen develop greater independence, confidence, and well-being has been deeply meaningful for her. She has also seen him form strong relationships with campers and volunteers and, in time, become a role model and young mentor to others. 

“To also see Hazen form such special relationships with campers and volunteers and in turn become a role model and young mentor for other campers makes me so unbelievably proud.” 

Bailey: Being the Person She Needed 

For Bailey, becoming a mentor at Ostomy Canada Youth Camp is deeply personal. She has been a mentor since 2024, but her connection to the experience began years earlier, when she was trying to figure out how to live in a body that had suddenly changed. 

“My name is Bailey. I’ve been a mentor at Ostomy Canada Youth Camp since the summer of 2024, but before that, I was just a person trying to figure out how to live in this body.” 

At 23, Bailey was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis through the emergency department at VGH. Three weeks later, she woke from surgery with a temporary end ileostomy and a life that looked very different from the one she had known before. 

“I remember how alone that felt, like no one my age could possibly understand what I was carrying.” 

That feeling of isolation is part of why camp means so much to Bailey today. 

During the five days at Easter Seals Camp Horizon, she watches for a moment that often happens a few days into the week—when younger campers begin to settle in and no longer feel that they need to hide anything. 

“Someone will pull out their supplies, just to show another kid. Then another joins in. Pouches, bag covers, all of it laid out like it’s nothing, because for the first time in their lives, it is nothing.” 

Nobody stares. Nobody asks the wrong question. 

Bailey has watched campers move from worrying about who might be watching them to simply reaching for their supplies and carrying on as though it is the most normal thing in the world. 

“I think about what it would have meant if I had had that experience at their age.” 

For Bailey, that moment captures what makes the camp so special. 

“That’s the thing about this camp. These kids carry so much, some more visibly than others, and yet they show up for each other with a kind of patience and understanding I don’t think most adults ever learn. They don’t need it explained. They just know.” 

Being a mentor allows Bailey to offer campers something she wishes she had experienced herself. 

“Being a mentor means I get to be the person I needed back in 2019.” 

But there is another part of the experience that keeps bringing her back. 

“But more than that, I get to watch these kids become that person for each other, year after year. That’s what keeps bringing me back.” 

More Than a Summer Camp 

What makes Ostomy Youth Camp special is not simply the activities or the beautiful setting. It is the sense of belonging that develops when young people come together and realize they are part of a community. 

The testimonials from campers, parents, mentors, and families show that impact in many different ways. 

For Zachary, it meant finding a cabin full of boys who felt like brothers and realizing, perhaps for the first time, that he truly belonged. 

For Maria, it meant being able to be herself, meet new people, try new activities, and feel comfortable in a supportive community. 

For Dean, it meant having a safe place to talk openly during Magic Circle about experiences that can be difficult to explain elsewhere. 

For Jack, it meant discovering that he was not the only kid with an ostomy and gaining the confidence to travel independently and try new things. 

For another camper, it meant feeling normal. 

For another, it meant discovering independence and returning home able to take greater responsibility for ostomy care. 

For another, it meant making friends who understand and remain part of their life throughout the year. 

And for mentors like Eitan, Joel, Bailey, and others, it means having the opportunity to offer younger campers the understanding and encouragement they may once have needed themselves. 

The impact reaches families, too. Parents described the joy of seeing their children come home with new friendships, greater confidence, and stories about experiences they may not have had anywhere else. They also found something important for themselves: connection with other parents who understand the unique experience of raising a child with an ostomy. 

Over the course of one week, friendships grow, confidence strengthens, and barriers begin to fall away. 

A Legacy of Belonging 

For more than four decades, Ostomy Youth Camp has been giving young people the opportunity to experience childhood and adolescence on their own terms. 

It is a week of adventure and laughter, but it is also a week of understanding, connection, and personal growth. It gives campers a place where they can challenge themselves, ask honest questions, celebrate their achievements, and build friendships with people who understand. 

And the stories of Joel, Hazen, Denise, Bailey, Emily, Felix, Gavin, Callen, Zachary, Maria, Dean, Jack, Eitan, and the many campers, families, mentors, and supporters who have shared their experiences show that the impact of camp does not end when the week is over. 

A camper can grow into a volunteer. A graduate can look forward to becoming a mentor. A young person can discover greater independence and bring that confidence home. A child who was once afraid to attend can wish they had come sooner. A camper can discover that they are not the only one. A family can find a community of people who understand. And someone who once needed a mentor can eventually become that mentor for someone else. 

The memories may begin at Camp Horizon, but their impact lasts long after the campers return home. 

Ostomy Youth Camp is more than a summer tradition. It is a community—and for generations of young people across Canada, it has been a place to belong.