Camp Fees Supplement

Last updated on August 15, 2023

Overview

A supplement may be provided to fully or partially cover the cost of attendance at a recognized camp for children of income assistancedisability assistance, or hardship assistance recipients or recipients with Persons with Disabilities designation.

Policy

 

Eligibility

Effective: January 1, 2020

Children of income assistancedisability assistance or hardship assistance recipients or recipients with the Persons with Disabilities designation may be eligible for a supplement to fully or partially cover the cost of attendance at a recognized camp.

Priority is given to assist in the following order:
 

  • children with mental, physical or developmental disabilities
  • dependent children of long-term assistance recipients
  • adults with developmental disabilities who are living in a residential care facility

Only one camp fee supplement for each eligible child or adult in the family unit may be provided within any fiscal year.

The following principles must be applied when determining whether a camp is “recognised” or not.
 

  1. The camp must exist in the province of British Columbia (excludes camps located out of province).
  2. Camps can be day or overnight and may be offered by community centres, neighbourhood houses or other.
  3. Themed camps are acceptable and may relate to faith-based, music, arts, sports or other similar camps.
  4. Camping experiences where parents accompany children will not qualify for a camp supplement.
 

Amount of Payment

Effective: May 20, 2010

The amount of payment issued is subject to budgets.

The amount of payment for each eligible child or adult will be limited to the actual cost of the camp fee or $200 maximum per individual, whichever is the lesser amount.  Only one camp fee supplement for each eligible child or adult in the family unit may be provided within any fiscal year.

 

Reconsiderations and Appeal

Effective: January 25, 2016

Camp Fees are not provided under the authority of the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act. Therefore the reconsideration and appeal provisions of Section 17 of the Employment and Assistance Act and section 16 of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act do not apply. [For more information see Related Links – Reconsideration.]

Procedures

 

Issuing a Camp Fees Supplement

Effective: December 1, 2003

Before issuing a camp fees supplement, ministry staff should explore other funding sources.  For example, a local service organization may cover part of the cost of the fee.