An Individualized Approach to Inclusion

By UBC Camps on January 14, 2026

Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of summer camp, and rather than trying to create a one-size-fits-all model, UBC Camps’ approach to inclusion is grounded in a case-by-case philosophy. The team works closely with families and campers to understand what accommodations or modifications will work best to support each child. Inclusion isn’t treated as a separate program; rather a framework that shapes how all camps are designed and delivered.  “We don’t create separate camps targeted toward specific audiences,” shares Michael Carroll, Manager of UBC Camps. “Instead, we work one-on-one with families to help identify the camp that best suits their child’s needs and interests.”

Feedback and Emerging Needs

UBC Camps has supported campers with diverse needs for many years, and has used their online Exceptionalities and Inclusion Form as a tool for families to share important information about their child’s strengths and support needs. In recent years, however, feedback from families highlighted a growing need for more comprehensive 1-on-1 support, particularly for campers requiring assistance with toileting.  Michael explains how that feedback shaped the program:  “Several parents identified toileting as a barrier for participation, bringing forward questions about how toileting support could be handled in camp settings. We quickly discovered that there wasn’t much existing formal guidance, training, or risk management material for recreation settings.”  In response, the UBC Camps team pulled resources from multiple areas, developed comprehensive internal policy and training, and embedded toileting support into the 1-on-1 Inclusion Program. This work built upon existing frameworks and launched in the second year of having dedicated inclusion support staff.

How the 1-on-1 Inclusion Program Works

Once a camper has registered in their preferred program, families are invited to complete the online Exceptionalities and Inclusion Form, where they provide specifics about their camper’s strengths, support needs, and any accommodations that may help them succeed, including the request for a 1-on-1 Inclusion Support Worker.  After submission, families can expect to hear back from program administration for further discussion. Follow-up may include additional questions, confirmation of availability of the 1-on-1 Inclusion Support Workers (if applicable), and, in some instances, a request to meet in-person prior to camp.  Since the summer of 2025, UBC Camps has had two dedicated 1-on-1 Inclusion Support Workers, each supporting one camper per week. This service is provided at no additional cost to families, and each camper can access 1-on-1 support once per summer. Access is currently offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  The role of the 1-on-1 Inclusion Support Worker is typically filled by teachers, education assistants, occupational therapists, or other individuals with experience supporting children with diverse needs. These staff also receive specialized training focused on toileting support in a camp context, including strategies that prioritize safety, dignity, and respect for all. What these staff have in common is a passion for inclusion, and a drive to ensure every camper feels welcome at camp.

Kenzie and Katie’s Experience

The impact of this individualized approach is best understood through the experiences of families. Katie, a parent, inclusion advocate and educator, enrolled her daughter Kenzie in the 1-on-1 Inclusion Program in 2025. For her family, the experience represented something both simple and meaningful.  “It was a simple thing for my daughter to be seen as a full and good person, whole, instead of as a policy to be filled or a problem to solve. What this program did wasn’t grand or dramatic—it was simple, which is what made it radical.”  She continues:  “There are no words to describe the joy that radiates from my non-speaking daughter when she feels seen, and valued, and respected, along with everyone else in the room. Just like everyone else in the room.”  Creating space for all campers to participate as themselves, with their needs met, is what the 1-on-1 inclusion Program strives for. Much of this work happens in the background, allowing campers to focus on what summer camp is meant to be about: learning new skills, building friendships, and making memories.  To learn more about Kenzie and Katie’s experience, check out This Neon Life on Substack.

Impact and Commitment

In the summer of 2025, 18 campers were able to receive 1-on-1 support, in addition to over 40 other campers who did not receive 1-on-1 support, but who received various other supports, adaptations or modifications from Camp Instructors as a result of submitting the Exceptionalities and Inclusion Form. Each camper, family, and experience reinforces a core belief held by the UBC Camps team: inclusion isn’t something to aspire to—it’s something to practice, reflect on, and continually improve upon.

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