Westport Lions Club

Lions Camp Dorset: A non-profit organization and a government recognized independent health facility. Photo credit: Lions Club

LIONS ROAR

By Lion Glenn Wilcox

Last summer, the Wilcox Family of Westport, ON had the opportunity to experience a summer camp unlike any other.  Lions Camp Dorset is a non-profit organization and a government-recognized independent health facility that is supported not only by the Westport Lions but by many of the Lion, Lioness & Leo Clubs across Ontario.  It is such an unique camp experience for dialysis patients that Camp Dorset is in the midst of determining if it qualifies as an entry in the Guinness World Book of Records.

Construction on the 52-acre Camp Dorset property began back in 1978.  It is located just outside the town of Dorset, Ontario.

Our adult son Mark has been doing 4-hour dialysis sessions, three times a week for about 2 years now.  He attends Kingston General Hospital’s Satellite Dialysis Clinic in Smiths Falls Hospital and the staff there introduced Mark to Camp Dorset.

Mark chose to do dialysis in the clinic setting (as opposed to home dialysis) but before his Camp Dorset experience he had only had dialysis in hospital clinics.  With a bit of trepidation, Mark agreed to try dialysis at the Camp Dorset Medical Facility which has 12 hemodialysis stations.  He was surprised to find nursing staff from his home unit at this excellent facility which is also staffed by two onsite dialysis nurses.  The Camp Dorset medical facility’s summer schedule allocates each week’s resources to dialysis patients from specific regions across Ontario.  Hence, local dialysis nurses also have an opportunity to both work at this camp clinic and spend quality vacation time with their family in their off-duty hours.

And that is only part of the amazing experience that Camp Dorset offers.  As Mark’s parents, we had the opportunity to have a Camp Dorset family cabin and spend the week in the Dorset area.  The Camp offers participants both a chance to socialize with families from other areas of the province over pot-luck dinners, campfires, sports, swimming, kayaking, scavenger hunts, bingo nights, etc.  The Camp is also a quiet peaceful setting in which to enjoy the beauty of nature.  It is also a great base in which to explore all the tourist attractions in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Algonquin Park, etc.

Check out the camp website – lionscampdorset.com and consider supporting this Ontario gem in terms of monetary donations or purchasing items for them from their numerous Wish Lists.  As always, we truly appreciate the ongoing support of our local Westport Lion’s Club.