In 1970, the Interdenominational Urban Church Board, Parks and Recreation, and the Social Planning Council met to discuss strategies to meet the needs of at-risk seniors in the city. The problems of fewer family supports, longevity, low income, and greater levels of disability were contributing to growing isolation for many of Toronto’s older adults. The solution: bring seniors together from across Toronto and provide them with a mini-holiday in the form of a day camp on Ward’s Island. From this plan emerged the Sunshine Centres for Seniors. In 1970, 170 seniors were served in the Island’s Rectory building, thanks to the support of fifteen volunteers.
In 1974, the original program greatly expanded with the addition of a new summer-only wheelchair accessible centre built by Metro specifically for this program. Today, the program serves over 1,200 people annually, five days per week from May to September, and our participants include city nursing homes, retirement residences, and other community-based agencies, along with SCS members. Incorporation and charitable status was obtained.
Camp Sunshine is an excellent program for active seniors seeking socialization and outdoor recreation. There are gentle exercise activities each day, sing-a-longs, and opportunities to tour the Island, go for walks, make crafts, and garden. From the ferry ride to the Island, to our tree-lined grounds and flower gardens- participants find the Camp Sunshine experience to be a refreshing and joyful part of their summer activities that they look forward to year-round.
To meet the needs of seniors with limited mobility, Sunshine Centres staff meets Wheeltrans at the city docks to escort frail seniors safely onto the ferry to Camp Sunshine. The program also has two 8-seater electric vehicles to transport people with mobility aids to and from the docks on Ward’s Island. Additional mobility aids, increased staff, and volunteer support and training continue to serve frail seniors. These and other strategies help to encourage seniors with mobility issues to participate and enjoy this tranquil park location on Toronto Island.
