Easter Seals Camp Merrywood (opened 1948) is located on a beautiful peninsula stretching out into Big Rideau Lake. The camp sits on 30 acres of property between Smiths Falls and Perth in Eastern Ontario. Built in 1948, Camp Merrywood began as a summer camp for kids with polio. Six campers attended in its first year. The site has 12 buildings including: six camper cabins that can accommodate up to 72 campers per session, a health hut, dining room and lodge, music and theatre building, nature building, specially adapted swimming pool. Merrywood offers a full waterfront program and activities such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Campers also get to experience a variety of camping trips. There are four-day canoe trips to Crotch Lake and one-night trips through the Rideau Canal system. At Easter Seals Camp Merrywood, campers expand their leadership abilities through a myriad of creative arts programs and multi-sports activities. During the summer, the camp offers three 10-day Individual Camp sessions, one 5-day Discovery Camp session for children 6 – 12 years, one 7-day Sports Camp for campers 13-18 years, one five-day Family Camp session; three GEAR-UP and Leaders in Training sessions, and one 7-day Out-tripping Adventure trip to Algonquin Park. There is a camp staff of 70, which includes a team of 4 registered nurses and 2 healthcare assistants