Cottage Dreams is designed to ensure that the cottage donor experiences the joy of giving with as little worry as possible. It is our highest priority that the ideal guest/family is matched with the cottage that suits their needs and wish list. A thorough application and screening process is in place to give you confidence with your decision to participate.

The response to Cottage Dreams has been incredibly positive and we have designed the program details to ensure the protection and peace of mind for all of our participants.

Update:  We are now training our new Site Rep recruits and they will be on the road beginning in May.

Who are the Donors?

Those who are fortunate enough to have a vacation property and are willing to donate it to Cottage Dreams for one or more Sunday to Friday weeks a year. This is an opportunity to give the gift of peace of mind and family time to those who have recently fought the battle of their lives.

Why become a donor?

As a cottage owner it is likely that your cottage is your home away from home. It is used as a get away and a time for family. Imagine if you had battled cancer and didn't have this luxury. It is the intention of Cottage Dreams to initiate the sharing of what we have with those who have fought so hard and are not fortunate enough to have such a retreat.

What is the visiting timeframe?

Visitors arrive on 2:00pm on Sunday and leave by noon the following Friday.

Do I need special Insurance?

Each applicant will sign a waiver releasing you and Cottage Dreams and third party from any liability. During the week the visitors are at your property, an insurance policy is put in place by Cottage Dreams without charge to the owners for that week. This policy is in addition to your own coverage. We are happy to provide you with more information regarding our policy, simply contact us with your questions.

Who are the recipients and will they be well enough to enjoy their time away?

Cottage Dreams is for adults and children who have finished active treatment.  They are eligible to be placed up to nine months after completion. For example, if they finish treatment in December, they can be placed up to September.

What are the criteria for a suitable cottage?

We require that the cottage meet the following qualifications:

• 30-45 minutes from a hospital or healthcare facility.
• Must have a working telephone for local calls or receive cellular reception.
• Directly accessible by car.
• If winterized, the road should be plowed to the cottage.
• Indoor plumbing is required.
• Any additional amenities, such as a television or VCR, waterfront dock, beach, fireplace or canoe are icing on the cake!
• Currently, water access properties are exempt from the program.

How do I proceed and what happens next?

It's quite simple. Just fill out our online form. Once we've received and reviewed your information, a Cottage Steward will contact you to discuss a visit to your property. We visit you and your cottage for two reasons: firstly, we like to get a feel for your property and take file photos that will enable us to match the family's wish list as best as we can. Secondly, we would like to help you become more familiar with Cottage Dreams and answer any questions you may have..

Once we have visited, you will receive regular communications from Cottage Dreams requesting cottage availability dates. When we have matched your cottage with a suitable family, we will contact you prior to confirming your property. We will confirm a placement several weeks in advance to ensure successful organization of the recipient visit.

To access the online form, click here.