Alberta Aphasia Camp

• Registration opens each year a few months before camp starts - usually in May.
• Registration forms are digital and can be filled out online.
• There is typically an early bird registration deadline (end of June) and a final registration deadline (end of July)

• The cost is approximately $200. This covers food, accommodations and all programming throughout the weekend.
• If you are unable to attend due to cost, please contact us to discuss options for subsidy.

• The camp is held at the Gull Lake Centre , located on Gull Lake, just west of Lacombe. This is approximately 1 ½ hours south of Edmonton and 2 hours north of Calgary
• Find Gull Lake Centre on Google Maps
• Link to camp website: https://gulllakecentre.ca/

• Unfortunately, we do not provide transportation to attend Alberta Aphasia Camp. 
• However, we could potentially assist in putting you in touch with other campers in your area who may be able to offer a ride.

• In the past few years, Gull Lake Centre has undergone some renovations, making it more accessible to people with mobility issues.
• The roads and trails consist of concrete sidewalks and gravel. However, we have volunteers who are able to push wheelchairs if a camper wants/needs this level of assistance. 
• The main lodge is wheelchair accessible via a ramp that loops around the outside of the lodge. There is no elevator inside the lodge, so anyone wanting to access the lower level will need to use the outside ramp.
• There are wheelchair accessible washroom stalls in the main lodge, meeting rooms and cabins. The showers have lips on them, and are not all wheelchair accessible.
• Most camp activities are accessible to people who are in wheelchairs. We do our best to make some minor modifications to make these more accessible.

• Yes! All campers with aphasia can bring family members and/or friends

• No! If you are independent with things like dressing, toileting and grooming you do not need to bring anyone along.
• However, we have no support staff on site, so if you require assistance for these types of things, you should attend with a family member, friend or caregiver. 

• Yes! We recognize that people with aphasia are mothers and fathers of young children too. 
• Although in many cases, it may be easier for you to enjoy the camp activities if you do not have to care for children while at the camp, we are happy to accommodate your individual family needs. 

• We have room for 80 - 100 campers (this includes people with aphasia and their family members/friends). 
• In addition, we have 5 - 10 professionals who are registered SLPs, OTs and PTs and there are approximately 25 student volunteers that are training to be SLP, OT and PTs.

• Average high temperatures in September can vary between 15-20 degrees Celsius, with average low temperatures between 5-10 degrees C. We can expect anything from sun to rain. 
• It is best to come prepared for the various weather conditions with layers and warm clothing, and a rain jacket and/or umbrella in case of rain.

• All of our campers stay in newly built and renovated cabins that have electricity, running water and heaters.  They also have their own private washroom with a shower.
• All of our cabins have bunk beds.  On the registration form, you will be asked if you can sleep on a bottom or top bunk.
• Depending upon the number of campers, you may share a cabin with other campers.  When possible, we place campers into private cabins.
• You will be placed in a cabin with your friend/family unless you indicate otherwise on the registration form.
• Most cabins will have mixed genders.  However, we do reserve a few for females only and for males only.
• Bedding is not provided, so campers should come prepared with bedding (sleeping bags or sheets/blankets and pillows).

We have multiple activities to choose from throughout the weekend. Activities are recreational, therapeutic and self care. All activities are modified to ensure you can attend anything you are interested in, no matter what your communication or physical ability. Examples of activities:

1. Yoga
2. Painting
3. Singing
4. Low ropes
5. Archery
6. Canoe / Kayak
7. Hiking
8. Communication Groups
9. Movie and discussion
10. Baking / Cooking
11. And more!

• Camp starts at 6:30 PM on Friday
• Camp ends at 2:30 PM on Sunday
• We will send you the weekend schedule in August.
• You will have the chance to sign up for activities throughout the weekend when you arrive at camp.
• Here is an example schedule of the camp weekend

• Please contact Andrea Ruelling at ruelling@ualberta.ca or call 780-492-1549