There is no better way to welcome in December than hosting our renowned Interchange Outer East Vollie Camp! This jam packed weekend had many new and old faces venture out to The Summit in Trafalgar to enjoy campsite activities, have some fun and get to know each other a little better.

We set the tone by starting off with introducing Warm and Fuzzies; an awesome camp long activity that gave everyone an opportunity to empower and inspire each other with personal messages of gratitude and recognition. After setting up our personalised pigeon holes we ventured into the world of vollie games. Everyone got involved and tried to figure out ‘9 Squares’ and the ‘Party Game’ with one volunteer cracking the code in record time!

On Saturday we split into our teams – Green & Purple, and started the campsite activities. We started with the flying fox which had us zipping (and some squealing) from the trees and over the lake. Laser tag and the ominous ‘Snakes and Nails’ activities came next. Whilst one team spent their rotation weaving, ducking and chasing their opponents down, the other team challenged their fears by walking over a bed of nails and petting one of the residents snakes!

Saturday night vollie games continued in true vollie camp fashion. Between the elusive ‘Ghost is Walking’ and ‘Fighting Hairs’ laughs could have been heard from across the valley!

We ended camp with a flurry; A flurry of chalk! Green and Purple regrouped in the battle field, chalk in hand. They covered each other in eco-friendly Holi Chalk until their bottles ran dry! After a cleanup, lunch and a quick mini Olympics, it was time to say Goodbye to Vollie Camp for 2021!

Thank You!

A massive shutout to all the amazing volunteers who made camp as great as it was. And of course, Knox City Council for funding this event with a Community Development Fund grant.

Vollie Camp is a fantastic opportunity for our recreation volunteers. We run this camp not only to show how much we value and appreciate them, but also to support their growth and development, build on their skills, and to ensure they really feel part of this inclusive and supportive community.

Keen to find out more about volunteering at IOE and being part of events like this in future? Check out Volunteer With Us or get in touch at volunteers@ioe.org.au.

For some of the best pics from Vollie Camp, head to our Facebook page!

Usually a group based program, the IOE House Intensive Program reverts to a 1:1 support model within the house during COVID-19 lockdowns. A favourite part of the program among the groups is always having their families over for dinner. However, this is no longer possible with the restrictions in place. One of the program participants, Jarrod, together with program worker, Dianne, started to run with the idea of an Uber Eats style meal delivery to Jarrod’s family.

That night, the pair were inspired by watching the Scooby Doo movie and this is how Scoober Doober Eats was born! Jarrod and Dianne did all the shopping and food prep together (as they normally would in the program), cooked up a delicious chicken parmigiana, packaged it up and delivered in to Jarrod’s family who live locally. The idea was such a hit that Dianne decided to replicate it for David and his family later in the week; lasagna this time! Jarrod, Dianne and David have all enjoyed developing the Scoober Doober Eats idea and loved being able to think outside the box under challenging circumstances.

During their two day and one overnight stay at the House Intensive property, they also do lots of forest walks, practise some simple bush yoga and enjoy activities like drawing, writing, card and board games, puzzles and general conversation at home. ‘And of course we do our general household tasks as well; bed making, dishes, floors and bathrooms, etc. It’s a great program whether group based or 1:1.’ Dianne, House Intensive Support Worker.

Click for more information on the House Intensive Program.