This blog is taken from a presentation given in Chapel recently by Charlotte (LVI), Alexis (UVI), Bethany (UVI), and Jessica (LVI).
Over the summer holidays, we volunteered at Woodlarks Camp for disabled girls aged 11-19. The camp runs for one week around the end of July or beginning of August and provides activities for the girls. As volunteers, we were each assigned a camper who we would provide 24-hour care for over the week. In terms of care, we had to help feed them, wash them, dress them and provide 24/7 entertainment.
One of the campers we were assigned was called Kashi. Kashi had mild mental disabilities and needed help with social skills, orientation and remembrance. We also helped with a camper called Emma who had severe cerebral palsy and was in an electric wheelchair. She could not speak or control her actions, so we attempted to communicate with her through her communication book which had pictures she would point to when she wanted something. Emma was a lot more hands-on than Kashi and it was rather physically and mentally challenging, however, it was an experience that was extremely rewarding and a week that we will never forget.
We also had a camper called Emily who was 17 and had cerebral palsy. She had to use a wheelchair so responsibilies were shared with another volunteer. We had to aid her when she went to the bathroom and when she needed a shower or a bath, but she was able to eat on her own. It was a pleasure to look after Emily as she was really chatty and was always in such a good mood. There were some moments at camp which were a struggle – the 5.10am wake up for a trip to the bathroom was a particularly notable one, especially as we didn’t go back to the tent after that due to sickness. However, despite a couple of low moments, there are around 11 others in your patrol who are there for support if you need help and a rest. The camp is honestly so much fun and there is always something to do such as campfire and craft activities.
Another girl we looked after was called Katherine. She was 15 years old and had severe cerebral palsy and multiple other disabilities. Katherine was incredibly grateful and conscientious and she was very keen to participate in everything she could. We went swimming together, which was harder than it sounds because she couldn’t move anything but her head. Although Katherine was great fun during the day, she also needed help getting out of bed about three times each night, which takes a lot longer than usual as she had to be sat in her wheelchair in a certain way to avoid back pain. This was tiring but never dull as it was a team effort between our small group of helpers.
We also cared for a camper called Linzi and she was 16 and she too had cerebral palsy and was on a strict ketogenic diet which involved ensuring that she ate no sugar which became rather difficult with the camps constant cake and hot chocolate. Although Linzi had a wheelchair, she preferred walking so Gemma, another helper at camp, helped her walk everywhere. Linzi loved swimming and her favourite stroke was keeping her head underwater for as long as possible which was rather disconcerting. Linzi loved Snapchat filters and Candy Crush so during the break hours while we were instructed on what loom band colours she wanted, she also learnt how to send Snapchats. During the week we also taught her how to catch. The week went very well and Linzi had a great time. Although the week was really hard at times it was extremely rewarding and we would thoroughly recommend Woodlarks Camp to anyone who would like to help.
