Holiday Campaign

Witnessing a friendship like Naven and Owen’s instantly warms the heart. At Camp Easter Seal, the two are often spotted holding hands, sharing joyful laughter, and communicating in a unique way that only best friends can understand. As the saying goes, they are “two peas in a pod.”

Naven met Owen during his first week at Camp in the summer of 2023. Having attended with his mom, Kenya, it was touching for her to witness her son connect so easily with Owen. “There aren’t many kids with Down syndrome where we are from,” shares Kenya. “Naven doesn’t really have a friend other than Owen. There are kids at his school who are very nice to him, but it’s not the same as having a best friend. Seeing Naven and Owen together makes me feel this sense of joy because I know he’s yearned for this type of friendship.” Owen’s mom, Glenda, shares this sentiment: “Owen is very social. Everyone is a friend in Owen’s eyes, but that doesn’t translate into close bonds and best friends. After school, when kids come storming out of the classroom in groups, laughing or talking with one another, Owen is always walking out alone. That hurts my heart.”

In anticipation of another week of fun at Camp Easter Seal, both moms connected with staff ahead of the 2024 camp season to ensure the boys would again be in the same cabin. Naven and Owen spent much of their days together from morning to evening. Some of their favourite activities included swimming, taking bus rides for ice cream, and, of course, goofing around like best friends do – especially in front of the camera! With that said, once the lights were out, so were the boys! “When the two of them are together, they go hard. They are both very active and very busy. Once the end of the night comes, Owen just crashes,” laughs Glenda, who estimates it takes her son two minutes to fall asleep after a fun-filled day with his best bud, Naven.

Since 1954, Camp Easter Seal has been a place where meaningful and lasting friendships are formed. For many children like Naven and Owen, Camp offers a chance to connect and bond with peers who understand them and have similar experiences. Most importantly, the friendships created at Camp don’t end when they leave the 100 acres of lush greenery at Little Manitou Lake. Many campers like Naven and Owen stay connected throughout the year, eagerly awaiting their next reunion and another summer at Camp!

Camp Easter Seal isn’t just a place – it is an experience and an opportunity for campers like Naven and Owen to thrive, deepen their friendship, and collect core memories remembered long after summer turns to fall and fall to winter. The only barrier-free camp of its kind in Saskatchewan, Camp is a much-needed sanctuary for campers and an opportunity for respite to caregivers. This holiday season, give the gift of Camp! Share in the collective joy that Kenya and Glenda feel, knowing that when they pull up to Camp, their boys are going to have the best summer ever, together!

Fostering close friendships is a pillar of Camp Easter Seal; such bonds are not just special; they can be lifelong and life-changing. For Naven and Owen, having each other as best friends has created opportunities outside of Camp, like celebrating birthdays together and engaging in shared interests and activities. “It takes quantity and quality of time to build a true friendship. It’s important to me, and I know it’s important to Kenya that we facilitate the boys spending time together outside of Camp. It is really nice for Owen to have a friend who is right on his level. They are both silly and zany, and they like to have fun. When you see them together, it’s instant joy,” shares Glenda, who admits the anticipation is always high for their next hangout.

Camp Easter Seal plays a vital role in nurturing Naven and Owen’s friendship. It’s where they first met, in a safe and inclusive space where they can be their true selves and continue to grow their friendship as teenagers, adults, and, hopefully, seniors. For Kenya and Glenda, their hope for Naven and Owen is that their friendship continues to deepen both at Camp and in their everyday lives.

“There’s no other word for it than just love—they love each other. They feed off each other’s energy. There’s never any judgment; they’re just themselves, and I hope they still have this friendship ten years from now,” shares Kenya of her dream for Naven and his best friend. Meanwhile, Glenda envisions the possibilities of this friendship as the boys grow older. “Friendships are really important for all of us. There’s a real risk of loneliness for people with disabilities, and I don’t want Owen to be lonely in adulthood. How cool would it be if eventually Owen and Naven lived together as roommates? Those possibilities can come from fostering this friendship, and I want that for Owen and Naven.”

Ian Wilkinson, Executive Director

This holiday season, you have the power to create lifelong and life-changing friendships like Naven and Owen’s by giving the gift of Camp! Your generous donations stay right here in the province, covering the cost of sending children and youth experiencing disability to Camp Easter Seal for a week of care-free fun, adventure, and connection. We have included a special holiday ornament from Naven and Owen to celebrate the season and the joy of friendship. Thank you in advance for your donation—there’s no greater gift than the feeling of inclusion and belonging. Together, let’s celebrate the joy of friendship this holiday season!

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