FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your question isn’t answered below please contact our Camp Director at camping@easterseals.ns.ca.


How is it decided what camp session is most suitable for my camper?
Sessions are organized based on age, disability/diagnosis and support needs. Campers and guardians can read our session descriptions on our website to learn what session is appropriate.


How do I Register for Camp?
When you select the register button on our Camp Sessions page, you’ll be taken to our ACTIVE registration system where you will need to follow all prompts and answer questions.


How do I complete Supplemental Forms online?
All supplemental forms can be found on your ACTIVE Registration Dashboard after you have completed the initial registration process. All supplemental forms must be completed online except for the Medical report.


Do I need to bring bedding to Camp?
Yes. All campers are required to bring their own bedding to Camp. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide this service. However, we will continue to launder camp clothing and bedding that becomes soiled during the camp session.

Campers are required to bring:

  • A pillow & pillowcase

  • Top sheet and a fitted bottom sheet

  • blanket/comforter

SIZE: Our mattresses are Twin size.

NOTE: Please label all bedding. If not labelled, we will not be able to guarantee its return


Is Camp Tidnish Available to Campers outside of Nova Scotia?
Unfortunately, not currently. We recommend reaching out to the Easter Seals chapter in your province as many of them also run summer camps.


My Camper has been going to Camp Tidnish for many years. Am I still required to fill out all areas of the application, even if nothing has changed?
Yes, it is very important to fill out the application in full. Our staff changes every summer, and the camper will not likely have the same staff as the previous summer in their cabin or at their table. As well, missing information can cause serious problems in the event of a medical emergency.


What if my camper requires their own room/sleeping space while at camp?
Unfortunately, we can no longer accommodate these requests. In the past, when a camper required their own space at camp, they were accommodated in a staff room within the cabin for reasons linked to complex care, behaviour or flight risk. At this point, we are not equipped to support campers’ complex care or behaviours in this way. We can only accommodate campers in a communal setting within our cabins. A 1:1 support person going to camp with your camper could be an option you explore to help your camper sleep within the main cabin area at night.


What time are drop-off and pick-up?
Camper check-in is at or after 3:00 p.m. on Day 1. Camper check-out is between 9:00 am and 11:00 a.m. on Day Six (Day Five for Explorers.)

All campers must be picked up by 11:00 a.m. Camp Staff finish work shortly after 11:00 a.m. and late pickups cannot be accommodated. Late charges will apply for late pick-ups. Please be prompt.


My Camper is on medication. Can they keep their medication in the cabin?
No. All medications are kept securely locked in our Health Lodge and distributed by the Camp Tidnish Health Care Team. This is for the safety of campers.


Transportation may be a problem for us. How can we get our camper to camp?
Transportation to and from the campsite is not provided by Easter Seals Nova Scotia and is the responsibility of the camper and their guardian.


Can I call my camper or send them mail?
We accept camper mail in the form of emails and written letters left with the Camp Tidnish Staff. Unfortunately, our mail service is too slow to guarantee the camper will receive postage.
We discourage campers from calling home. This can make a homesick camper even more homesick. Phone calls home are rare and only in extreme cases and will always be at the discretion of the Camp Director. Daily e-mails can be sent to camptidnish@easterseals.ns.ca

Please Note: Campers cannot respond to emails however parents/caregivers are welcome to call/email for updates on their campers from the camp staff at (506) 538-2823 or camptidnish@easterseals.ns.ca.


What if my camper has an allergy?
All efforts will be made to prevent the chances of a severe allergic reaction. Camp Tidnish is a scent-aware and latex-free environment. If we are advised in writing that a camper has a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction to a particular food, then that food item will not be served during their camp session.


Is Laundry done at Camp?
Yes, however, we only launder soiled clothing and bedding. Please send your camper with enough clothing to last the entire session and we will take care of any accidents.


What if my camper has a special diet? (Vegan, Gluten-free, etc.)
You may send any necessary special foods to camp and label them with the camper’s full name. We cannot accommodate diets that require very selective foods, but you are welcome to send it. Our staff can puree foods and provide other texture modifications, but they cannot count calories or provide tofu, millet, gluten-free, etc. unless the items are sent to the camp. We can accommodate campers with diabetes.


What if my Camper always requires supervision from a one-to-one attendant?
Our camper-to-counsellor ratio is low; however, we still cannot deliver one-to-one staff support at all times.

Unfortunately, our Camp Counsellors and Staff are not equipped to accommodate the complex care and behavioural management needs of all individuals on a one-to-one basis around the clock. If your Camper has any of the following complex care or behavioural challenges, we, unfortunately, will not be able to accommodate them without support from people/caregivers attending camp with them: Aggressive behaviours (either towards themselves or others), requires consistent one-to-one support to manage aggressive behaviour, needs to be turned often throughout the night (more than twice), does not sleep through the night, not able to sleep within the main cabin area with others, flight risk/excessively wanders away or has complex medical needs/conditions that cannot be accommodated by our Health Care Team in a camp setting.

Campers may bring a support person/caregiver with them, under an arrangement with the Camp Director. All support people/caregivers are subject to the same background vetting as all Camp Tidnish staff and the fee is $200. If your camper requires a support person/caregiver, then the Camp Director will contact you to discuss this further.


What if my Camper is aggressive or a flight risk?
Unfortunately, our Camp Counsellors and Staff are not equipped to accommodate aggressive or flight-risk behaviour. If your camper is regularly verbally/physically aggressive towards their family/staff we, unfortunately, will not be able to accommodate them without support from people/caregivers attending camp with them.

The same goes for campers who are a flight risk/excessively wander away. Campers may bring a support person/caregiver with them, under an arrangement with the Camp Director. All support people/caregivers are subject to the same background vetting as all Camp Tidnish staff and the fee is $200.

If your camper requires a support person/caregiver, then the Camp Director will contact you to discuss this further. If campers become aggressive/flight risk while at camp the Camp Director will ask that the camper is removed from camp immediately.


What is Tuck?
Tuck is Snacks and merchandise from our camp tuck shop. Tuck is typically Chips/Ice-cream and Pop/Juice, as well as t-shirts and camp photos. Tuck is not included in the camp fee but is a session option which is available to add during the registration process. Please do not send your camper with cash or checks, as our Dartmouth office processes all payments, and we cannot.


What is my camper is missing clothing/items?
Please label everything! If you find that items are missing when your camper arrives home from camp, please call/ email us right away and we will work to get these items back to you. Families/Caregivers now have two weeks from the end of their camper’s session at camp to claim/enquire about lost and found. After this time lost and found items will be donated to charity.