Pearl Bell, RN, COHN(C)

CANADIAN LIAISON

Pearl is ACN's expert in day camp nursing and Canadian camps. She received her nursing diploma from Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, in 1963. Following a variety of nursing positions, Pearl decided to compliment camp nursing with a career in occupational health. She received her certification in 1991 and worked part time for a large utility company.

Pearl's camp story began in the 1960's. She answered an ad in a local paper from a camp which needed a nurse. Larry, who eventually married her, answered the camp's ad for a swim director. Now, over 40 years later, both are still immersed in Camp Robin Hood, their large family operated day camp near the greater metropolitan Toronto area. Pearl is quite proud of Robin Hood's reputation as both a traditional day camp and a sports specialty day camp. Campers and staff of all abilities are integrated (10% of Robin Hood's population have special needs). Pearl's nursing skill combined with daughter Sari's skill as an occupational therapist and position as director of camper relations compliment son-in-law Howie's physical education background and program director title. A second daughter, Michelle, works as an RN at camp every summer.

Pearl chairs the Ontario Camping Association's Health Care Committee. The group meets monthly and provides an annual Health Care Workshop as well as champions initiatives which promote healthy camp communities in the Ontario province.

Pearl first connected with ACN at the Association's 1992 Albuquerque conference. This connection was the impetus for her work in promoting the camp nursing certification program which was offered as a distance education program for RNs at Toronto's George Brown College. She now serves as ACN's Canadian Liaison.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Pearl Bell, RN, COHN(C)
141 Kingslake Road
Willowdale, Ontario M2J 3G2 Canada

416-736-9971

pearl@camprh.com