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Recreation Funding

Man in wheelchair dribbles basketball
Three young people have fun swimming
Young woman with Down's syndrome practices martial arts

There are many affordable ways to have fun and build skills!

Interested in sending a child with diverse abilities to a specialized summer camp? How about taking a visit to the zoo, swimming lessons, or a trip to the movies? There are many opportunities to help fund recreational activities.

Also: Download our funding guide, an easy to navigate and extensive collection of even funding opportunities: 

 

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Funds and service clubs 

 

One avenue for funding is service clubs. Service clubs are focused on community betterment through various initiatives, and regularly support persons with disabilities!

CKNW Kids’ Fund

CKNW provides funding for families with children in need, and for children’s organizations who provide beneficial programs and services. Examples of funding include subsidies for summer camps and therapeutic horse riding.

Freemason Clubs

The Freemasons are involved with many different types of charity and funding organizations. Please contact them through the above website to find a local contact near you.

Kinsmen Clubs 

Kinsmen service clubs serve their community’s greatest need through hosting and sponsoring events and community service projects. Sponsorship from Kinsmen's clubs have, for example, enabled numerous children with disabilities to attend accessible summer camps.

Lions Clubs

Lions Clubs are strong supporters of people with disabilities. For example, many young persons with disabilities have been able to attend Easter Seals Camps with the funding support of their local Lions Club.

Loyal Protestant Association 

Providing support to community members of all abilities for over a century. You can reach them at 604-521-2244.

Rotary Clubs

Rotary Clubs serve communities locally and abroad, and successful applications have been made to cover programs fees for young persons with disabilities. Inquire with a club in your area about funding opportunities.

Recreation funding and loan programs

Funding is also available through my organizations focused on recreation or with specific recreation funding programs

Athletics for Kids

Provides families with funding so that all BC children can participate in organized sport

Autism BC Ticket Giveaway Program

Free tickets to popular local events for families with an autistic person. Sports, concerts, Science World, and more!

 

BC Rehab Individual Grants

BC Rehab provides funding to individuals with physical disabilities. A wide range of requests are considered, including recreation therapy programs.

Camp Fees Supplement

The BC government may provide a supplement to fully or partially cover the cost of attendance at a recognized camp for children of income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance recipients, or to recipients with Persons with Disabilities designation

Cerebral Palsy Association Camperships

Financially assists individuals of all ages to attend a special needs camp of their choice in BC. Camp subsidies have gone towards costs such as partial camp fees, transportation, and attendant care fees.

Epilepsy Society Camp Subsidies

The BC Epilepsy Society provides financial subsidies to help cover the costs of various camp programs. These are for children who need extra support due to medical needs and learning or physical disabilities

ET Music Therapy Financial Aid Program

Offers a financial aid program for clients who receive services at the Pacific Autism Family Network. Contact ET to learn more.

Friends of We Care

Fundraises to send kids with disabilities to summer camp

 

Goodlife Kids

Goodlife's grant program provides funding to support ongoing physical activity opportunities for children with special needs. Grants improve community access and help to remove some of the barriers preventing children from living active lives.

Jumpstart

Jumpstart helps kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities. Jumpstart provides individual child grants, para-sports grants, community development grants, and access grants.

KidSport

KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process, KidSport provides grants so they can play a season of sport.

Music Heals

Raises and provides funding so that more people can experience the benefits of music therapy

NSDRC Summer Bursary Program

Offers financial support to North and West Vancouver children and youth who have a special need or are in the process of receiving a diagnosis and may require additional support to attend summer recreation programs

Recreation Equipment Loan Program  

Lifetime Networks has a variety of specially designed and adapted recreation equipment available for loan. The equipment is available for anyone in the community with a need for an adapted piece of equipment; from individuals, parents and caregivers, to educational assistants, recreational and physical therapists.

 

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association: Camp and Recreation Subsidies 

Financial assistance is available to persons with spina bifida or hydrocephalus to assist with the costs of ​summer camp and other recreational activities

Discounts

Two of the best ways to get discounts are through the Access2Entertainment card, and through simply asking!

Access2Entertainment Card

The Access2Entertainment card taps into a large network of organizations which offer discounted admission to cardholders and/or their support workers. Participating organizations include Cineplex, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, H.R. Macmillan Space Centre, Science World, and many others across the province, covering everything from martial arts lessons to petting zoo experiences. 

Unpublicized Discounts

Some attractions and venues offer discounted rates for persons with disabilities, but do not advertise them. For example, the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park offers free admission to disabled persons. Because not all discounts are publicly listed, it is worth inquiring about the possibility of a discount, even if no discount information is listed.

Recreation and leisure access programs

Many cities and community centres offer adaptive programs and discounts for persons with disabilities, accessed through having a leisure access card. Check the websites of your city and community centres near you, and inquire about potential discounts. Some examples are:

  • The City of Vancouver offers a leisure access card to low-income families, as well as families including a disabled child who is not over 17 years old. The card provides discounts for community centre attractions and programs, as well as for other local activities.

  • The City of Kelowna offers access passes to persons with disabilities, which provide discounts for numerous recreation activities and centres

 

BC Disability Funding Main Page

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