Camps and Interstate Trips
A very popular area of our Leisure and Recreation program involves the weekend getaways, camps and interstate trips our young people can attend.
The aim of these trips is to provide opportunities for:
- Personal development
- Development of self management skills (related to independent living)
- Making informed choices/decisions
- Development of social skills
- Networking with friends
These activities are coordinated and supervised by the Society’s education consultants with the assistance of volunteer leaders. Indeed the continued success of our getaways and camps is very much due to the dedication of a group of volunteers who regularly give their time and have developed considerable expertise. This high level of expertise enables staff to focus on personal and social skill development.
In order to attend a getaway and/or camp you must be a member of the DSSSA and have Down syndrome or a similar chromosomal disorder.
Potential campers must also satisfy the eligibility criteria listed below. The criteria have been developed to ensure the safety and well being of all activity participants.
Participants must be able to undertake the following with minimal supervision:
- Manage their own personal hygiene following verbal cues only. Staff and volunteers are not able to provide physical support for hygiene needs.
- Manage their own medical needs.
- Stay within the group.
- Understand and stay within defined boundaries.
- Control physical aggression towards self and others.
- Use equipment and property appropriately.
Interest in our getaways and camps has grown strongly and as a result procedures have been put in place to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend a minimum of two getaways and/or camps per year.
Weekend Getaways
Staff ratio of 1 leader: 4 participants
Getaways run from Friday evening until Sunday evening with accommodation generally being cabins in caravan parks.
There are 3 getaways planned per year:
- March – held at Brighton and open to adults who have left school
- July - held at Adelaide Beachfront and open to 16-20 year olds
- August – held at Adelaide Beachfront and open to adults who have left school
- November – held at Adelaide Shores Caravan Resort (West Beach) and open to adults who have left school.
Examples of the activities enjoyed on weekend getaways include going out to lunch, bbq in the park, bowling, a trip to the football at AAMI stadium and mini golf. Weekends always include a getting to know you session as well as plenty of free time to socialise with friends.
Go to our Leisure & Rec photo gallery to share in the fun.
School Holiday Camps
Staff ratio of 1 leader: 3 campers
Holiday camps are run over 3 days and 2 nights with dormitory style accommodation provided.
There are 2 holiday camps planned per year:
- April – held at Glen Haven Park, Stockport, approx. 30km north of Gawler, and open to students between 10 and 20 years of age. Transport to the camp is by way of bus from the Society office at Hampstead Primary School.
- September – held at the Warradale Urban camp and open to school students between 10 and 16 years of age. Campers are required to find their own transport to the camp site.
Regular camp activities include cooking, craft, table tennis, dancing and indoor and outdoor games. Examples of additional activities, dependent upon venue, include local excursions, ten pin bowling and the movies at the Warradale camp.
Go to our Leisure & Rec photo gallery to share in the fun.
Interstate Trip
Staff ratio of 1 leader: 4 tourists
An interstate trip is offered on a bi-annual basis to individuals 16 years of age and over.
In 2003 the destination was the activity packed Gold Coast where 24 young people stayed in apartment style accommodation. Activities included visits to all the theme parks as was a night out on the town. For this trip we were fortunate to receive sponsorship from the Adelaide Bank Charitable Foundation and the Lions Club of Edwardstown.
In 2005 the destination was Hamilton Island where 24 young people stayed in apartment style accommodation at a resort. With the island being quite hilly each apartment came with a golf buggy so our young people could often be seen zipping around in convoy to participate in activities such as swimming, mini golf and riding the wire flyer. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef was a great highlight. Night activities included a Casino night and a safari night on a secluded beach.
The destination in 2007 was the Gold Coast.
Go to our Leisure & Rec photo gallery to share in the fun.
