“I would without hesitation recommend Zajac Ranch to other families and have already done so. Our child feels a sense of freedom to be who she is without judgement. She loves connecting with other campers and learning more about others’ struggles and challenges. She feels accepted and valued when she is at Zajac Ranch. We are ever so grateful to have found this amazing place.”
How to Apply For Camp
Our Summer Medical Camp 2026 Applications are set to open soon. Please visit 'Our Camps' Page to learn more about the camp dates and each of the camps we offer.
Step by Step Application Process
Please visit our “Our Camps” page to explore session dates and camp options before applying.
- Create your CampBrain account
- Once applications go live, go to: zajacranch.campbrainregistration.com
- Select Create New Account and set up your profile.
- Save your username and password — you'll need these to check your application status and payments later.
- Complete the online camper application
- Fill out all sections and required forms.
- Take your time — you can log out and return any time before submitting.
- Submit your application
- When all camper details are complete, click Submit.
- Our registration team will review your application and contact you if anything is missing or unclear.
- Medical & registration approval
- Submitting an application does not guarantee a space at camp.
- A spot is confirmed only after:
- All required registration forms are complete, and
- The camper has been medically approved by our Nursing Director.
- Receive approval & next steps
- If approved, you'll get a confirmation email from our registration office with:
- Invoice with payment details
- Funding options (if applicable)
- Any final steps required
- If approved, you'll get a confirmation email from our registration office with:
- Secure your camper's spot
- After approval, log back into your CampBrain account.
- Your application status will show "Approved."
- Payment is required to hold the spot (unless funding has already been applied).
Payment & Financial Assistance Information
Payment Options
You will choose one of these methods inside your application:
- Credit Card (online)
- Cheque (by mail)
- Zajac Community Partners Subsidy application
- Medical organization funding
- AFU / Autism Funding
Payment FAQ's
Cancellations received outside of 60 days prior to camp start date will be refunded.
Cancellations received within 31-60 days prior to camp start date will be refunded, less a $50 administrative fee.
Cancellations received within 8-30 days of camp start date will be refunded, less a $100 administrative fee.
Cancellations received within 7 days of camp will be charged 50% of the camp cost and the remainder will be refunded.
Cancellation fees do not apply if the camper has to withdraw due to medical issues, providing a doctor’s note is given to the Sales and Registration Coordinator.
If for any reason the application is declined, your payment won’t have gone through unless you paid by credit card before approval. In this circumstance your card will be refunded
If you choose to pay by credit card and enter your card details, you will be charged straight away. Otherwise, your payment will be processed when the application has been approved.
When filling in the online application, you will be asked which method of payment you are using to pay for camp. Please select from one of the options when prompted.
Options are: Cheque, AFU, Credit Card, Medical Organization
Paying for Camp (What each option means)
Credit Card
- Log into CampBrain and enter your credit card details to pay online.
Cheque (by mail)
- If you are mailing a cheque, please send it as instructed.
- Once your application is approved, we will apply the cheque to your account.
- Your CampBrain balance will update to $0 owing.
Zajac Community Partners Subsidy
- If you are requesting additional financial support:
- Print and complete the Subsidy Application Form.
- Upload the form to your CampBrain application.
- Upload proof of income (T4, T5, or CRA Notice of Assessment).
- Our funding team reviews each application individually.
- If you are requesting additional financial support:
If approved, the subsidy amount will be applied to your CampBrain account and your balance will update.
Medical Organization Funding
- If a medical organization is paying the fee, payment is applied after approval.
- Your CampBrain balance will update to $0 owing.
AFU / Autism Funding
- Contact AFU directly to request their “Request to Pay” form.
- Complete the form for $1,880 and send it back to AFU.
- AFU will provide a reference number — keep this for your records.
- AFU notifies Zajac Ranch, and we update your CampBrain balance to $0 owing.
We never want finances to be the reason a child can't attend camp. Below you will find the various supports available.
A) Zajac Camper Allowance (automatic support)
All campers receive the Zajac Camper Allowance, which reduces the real cost of camp.
- Actual cost of one week of camp: about $1,880 per child
- With the allowance, families pay up to $940 maximum out of pocket
- Our long-term goal is to offer camp free of charge to every child who needs it.
Over the years, more than $5.8 million has been provided in subsidies thanks to our donors, grant makers, and partners.
To be eligible, families must:
- Submit a completed Camper Application
- Endorse the Photo Consent Release
- Complete the post-camp survey
B) Zajac Community Partners Subsidy (additional support)
For families who still cannot afford the remaining balance after the Camper Allowance:
- This subsidy is for demonstrated significant financial need
- Families are asked to contribute as much as they are able.
- Preference is often given to first-time campers, but returning campers may apply if eligible.
- All applications and financial information are strictly confidential.
To be eligible, families must:
- Submit a completed Camper Application
- Submit a completed Zajac Community Partners Subsidy Application
- Includes proof of income (T4, T5, CRA Notice)
- Endorse the Photo Consent Release
- Complete the post-camp survey
- Commit to a thank-you letter or card after camp
- Provide proof that you have applied for:
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Assistance
C) Canadian Tire Jumpstart Assistance
Canadian Tire Jumpstart helps families fund camp and physical activity programs. This funding helps families who require financial assistance to send their child to camp! Jumpstart funds Zajac Ranch campers between the ages of 7-25 in financial need and with disabilities.
In order to qualify for our Zajac Community Partners Subsidy, you will also need to provide a record that you have applied to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Assistance, as this helps us to assure that we can help to fund as many kids as possible.
- Apply directly through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart website
- Choose “I’m an individual” when applying
- Apply before fees are due, since funds are sent directly to Zajac Ranch
- Proof of application is required for Community Partners Subsidy eligibility
D) Camp-Specific Assistance
Some camps have funding through partner organizations:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Camps:
AFU / Autism Funding is accepted (see Autism Funding Guide). - Children’s Heart Network:
Contact them directly for funding related to their hosted camp. - BC Children’s Hospital Cleft Lip/Palate:
Contact their unit for available support. - Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society (STaRS):
Contact STaRS for camp opportunities and funding details.
E) Condition-Specific Assistance
Additional limited bursaries may be available, depending on your child’s diagnosis.
Example:
- Cerebral Palsy:
Some campership bursaries are available through the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. Please refer to their website or contact: supportworker@bccerebralpalsy.com
Personal Support Worker Information
Zajac Ranch supports campers with a wide range of medical needs. Because of this, we provide enhanced staffing, specialized programming, accessible infrastructure, and a minimum counsellor ratio of 3:1.
We also have a limited number of Zajac Ranch Personal Support Workers (PSWs) for campers who require 1:1 care.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a PSW at Zajac Ranch, it is expected that you meet the specific medical and personal individual needs of your camper as well as facilitate and encourage the participation in all aspects of camp life. The following list should illustrate expectations and recommendations to assist you throughout your camp week at the ranch.
- Overall responsibility for each cabin group, of which your camper is assigned to,
lies with the Zajac Ranch counsellors. Please be as helpful as possible to the Zajac
Ranch staff. Please let a member of the Support Staff know if you have any
questions or concerns during your time with us. - If you have a private or semi-private room in the upstairs of a dorm, please make
sure your room is unlocked before you leave each time in order to avoid locking
yourself out. Should this happen let one of the Zajac staff members know and
they can have the room re-opened for you. - Cell phones and other electronics are only to be used when there are no campers
around. They should only be used in the designated areas. Please speak to our
Camp Director if this applies to you. - Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking area. Please speak to our
Camp Director if this applies to you. - In case of an emergency, members of Support Staff are available by radio or by
phone at any time of day or night. If you are unsure, members of your
counselling team will know who is on call and how to reach him/her, if
necessary. - Phones are available for use in the office, the medical centre, and the dining hall
in case of emergency. Please ask a staff member if you require use of one of
these phones. - The dining hall is the only place where food should be consumed unless it is part
of a program (i.e., popcorn at movie night, Jello for Zeyo) - If you require a break outside of night time watch, please communicate this with
the cabin counsellors to ensure your 1:1 is being supervised. Breaks should be
brief and only taken when appropriate. - The counselling team should be aware of where you are at all times
Yes, RCMP will waive the CRC fee for volunteers. instructions are included on the PSW application.
If providing your own Personal Support Worker – please fill out our Personal Support Worker form and attach a Criminal Record Check dated no later than one year from camp start date.
Personal Support Workers supplied by a family must be older than 19 years of age at camp start date.
Zajac Ranch for Children has a limited number of Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to provide 1:1 support (1 PSW per camp). Zajac Ranch’s PSWs are assigned to campers based upon:
- Whether or not this is the camper’s first time attending Zajac Ranch for Children;
- Whether or not the camper was assigned a Zajac Ranch PSW in the previous year; and
- The camper’s need for a Zajac Ranch 1:1 Personal Support Worker.
For those that have had a PSW during their previous attendance at Zajac Ranch and are unable to provide their own Personal Support Worker, your application will be placed on hold until three weeks prior to the camp start date and Zajac Ranch’s Nursing Director will review PSW assignments at that point.
Option A: Zajac Ranch 1:1 Inclusion Support Specialists (limited availability)
- Zajac Ranch provides PSWs based on:
- Camper needs
- Program capacity
- Availability of PSWs
Option B: Family-Appointed PSW (welcome to attend)
Families may bring their own PSW to camp.
- No registration fee for family-appointed PSWs.
- The PSW must:
- Be 19 years or older
- Be familiar with the camper’s medical needs
- Complete the Personal Support Worker Application within CampBrain
- Submit a valid Canadian Criminal Record Check
- Must be dated within 6 months of camp start date
- No exceptions
Criminal Record Check (CRC) online requirements
Volunteer PSWs can complete the CRC request online through the BC Ministry of Justice if all criteria are met:
- At least 6 months of Canadian credit history
- Has lived in Canada 2+ years
- Can pass the credit-based security questions
- Has a current Canadian address
Overnight sleep note
Some campers may need an upstairs/private or semi-private sleeping arrangement if they do not sleep well.
- Additional cost: $40 per night
- $20 for the camper
- $20 for the PSW
PSW Acceptance & Timing
- PSW applications are numbered in order received
- First-round approvals occur mid-March
- Families will be contacted if more information is needed.
Please review the Personal Support Worker Expectations Guide (see FAQ) to understand onsite roles, boundaries, and daily routines.