Blenheim Community Village Takes Residents on an Annual Camping Trip

Winter time is a great time to share summertime memories!

When people think of Long-Term Care homes, they usually don’t think about toasting marshmallows on an open fire. But at the Blenheim Community Village Residence, the great outdoors, camp songs, and s’mores are something that both residents and staff enjoy.

Over the past six years, residents have enjoyed outdoor day and overnight trips into parks across Southern Ontario where they are able to engage in a wide range of activities including:

• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Great barbecued food
• Short hikes
• Singing songs 

The largest camping trip location is Camp Woodeden, where residents actually stay for three days and two nights.

“I am 89 years old and this is the first time I have ever camped and loved everything about it”
– Jeanne Deschryver, Resident

The day trips are designed to bring both a change of scenery and ensure that everyone remains active in the community. They are also an opportunity to help break down generational barriers by connecting staff with residents in a different environment.

“For some residents this is their first experience with camping and for others a reliving of old memories such as, fishing followed by an outdoor fish fry.”
– Gwen Daly, Executive Director, Blenheim Community Village Long-Term Care Home

At the end of each event, it is easy to see from the smiles on everyone’s faces how much fun was had and how important the outings are. The camping adventures are definitely something that everyone looks forward to every year.

This article (along with the photos) has been written and submitted by: Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network, Chatham, ON

About The Erie St. Clair LHIN

The Erie St. Clair LHIN is a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care agency that plans and pays for health care services totalling a billion dollars a year in our region alone – everything from hospitals to Meals on Wheels.

The Erie St. Clair LHIN strives to make the health care system better by understanding and responding to local needs and by getting services to work together more efficiently. That’s how we’ll all get better health care while saving money and making the system sustainable for our children and grandchildren.

For more information about the Erie St. Clair LHIN, please visit: www.eriestclairlhin.on.ca or contact Shannon Sasseville, Director, Communications, Public Affairs, and Organizational Development, Erie St. Clair LHIN, at 1-866-231-5446 ext. 3225 or at shannon.sasseville@lhins.on.ca