St George Supports Camp Program

St George Supports Camp Program

July 23rd 2010

This month the St George Foundation funded Interchange Outer East $17,235 to run camps for children with disabilities and potential volunteers.

The camps are a great way of introducing young, potential volunteers to the volunteering experience. With the guidance, support and example of more seasoned volunteers they learn how best to assist children with disabilities to get the most enjoyment from recreational activities while having fun themselves.

Volunteer Recreation Coordinator Emma Kay said, “Young teenagers make excellent recreation volunteers as they have so much energy and are often a similar age to the person they are supporting, which is important in a field where support workers and carers are often much older than the child with a disability. These camps give potential volunteers a taste of what it is like to be a volunteer.”

Interchange Outer east’s volunteer  program accepts volunteers from the age of 14 and provides them with support and training to fulfil their responsibilities – ensuring the child they are matched to is safe, supervised and having fun.

St George Foundation has supported Interchange Outer East since 2005 with a variety of camps that have responded directly to the needs of families.
-    In 2006 St George supported camps for children with disabilities aged 10-13.
-    In 2007 it was camps for children with high energy or high physical needs.
-    In 2008 siblings were able to attend camps with their brother or sister with a disability.
-    Last year the St George Foundation recognised the importance of inclusion and supported camps for children with disabilities and their friends.

Without the support for these pilot programs Interchange Outer East would not be able to collect the evidence to prove that these types of camps are not only valuable but also essential in providing children with disabilities life opportunities and experiences.

For more information on the success of the project please check the supporters page.

by Rebecca Gallaher