The spirit of having a go was alive and well when The Disability Trust’s Sport and Recreation Team hosted a camp for over 18s recently at Stanwell Tops.
A group of 63 eager campgoers from the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Sutherland regions took part in the three-day camp, participating in a range of fun activities.
The camp took people out of their comfort zone and one of the fantastic parts of the adventure was the willingness of everyone to try new things.
A round of lasertag was first on the agenda for the campers before they were treated to a basketball clinic hosted by former Illawarra Hawks guard Kevin White.
Then they got on the bus to Stanwell Tops to settle into the camp with dinner and a movie.
The participants were split into three groups to rotate through the main activities for the weekend – go-karting, the giant swing and rock climbing.
“It was lots of fun,” said Sport & Rec officer Linzi DeSousa. “Each group had a turn over the weekend at giving each activity a go.
“Some participants need a lot of support and some are more independent so it’s a really broad range of people we support.
“The camp was really accommodating in being able to help participants who are in wheelchairs to get into a harness on the swing and have a go on the go-kart track.
“It’s great to see how much they interact with each other and support each other and are able to enjoy the same experiences.
“They like to set themselves little challenges and goals. A few of our participants who have been coming to the camps for years got out and had a go at some activities they had never done before.
“There were two guys in particular who got on the giant swing for the first time which was really exciting for them and a bit scary but definitely cool to see.”
It wasn’t just in the outdoor activities where the campgoers had to overcome nerves.
There was a Barbie and Ken-themed disco on the second night of the camp with plenty of dancing and karaoke singing.
But the spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition shone through again on the stage with campgoers joining the main singer on stage several times to help belt out the songs from the hit movie.
After each group had finished off their third activity on day three and had a last lunch at camp, it was time to head home with many of the campgoers asking on the trip back when they could sign up for the next one.
There is an under 18s camp coming up in May with another in November while the over 18s have to wait until October before their next one rolls around.
Please contact The Disability Trust’s Sport & Rec Team via ilsrecprograms@disabilitytrust.org.au if you would like further information or to reserve a spot for the next all-inclusive camp.
