Victorians: The rush is on! Don’t miss out on the chance for your child to take part in Vision Australia’s newest initiative, Camp Gecko.
Vision Australia, in conjunction with disability recreation support organisation Flying Fox, is hosting Camp Gecko, a camp that’s designed to unlock the potential and develop the independence of children and young people who are blind or have low vision in a fun and safe environment.
Camp Gecko will be held from 8-12 July at Grantville Lodge in Grantville, near Phillip Island, Victoria. It will be split into two groups – one for kids aged 12 to 15, and another for older children and young adults aged 16 to 21.
Forty younger clients (20 in each age group) will take part in a choice of fun and challenging activities that aim to foster independence and allow them to explore new environments in a safe and supported way.
These activities underpin Vision Australia’s mission to support our clients in the areas of employment, education, independence and social inclusion, enabling them to live the life they choose.
Activities will include (but are not limited to) rock-climbing, kayaking, a peer program, building campfires, crafts, trampolining, bushwalking, beach visits, swimming and sports.
No payment is required to attend the camp, which is fully funded by the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People.
Parents are asked to transport participants to the opening day on Sunday, 8 July. They will be returned by bus to Vision Australia’s head office at 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong, on Thursday, 12 July.
This camp is an investment in the future of our young people, a means to develop leadership opportunities and encourage them to consider their future in the workforce. We want to challenge stereotypes about the capabilities of young people who are blind or have low vision and show participants what they can achieve.
The camp will be overseen by qualified and security-checked staff and volunteers from Vision Australia and Flying Fox.
Flying Fox is a Victorian-based organisation that runs camps and getaways for young people with special needs, getaways for the siblings of young people with disabilities and education programs to assist others to engage with young people with disabilities.
Expressions of interest for children and young people to join the camp must be received by Friday, 18 May.
For further information on Flying Fox, go to its website here. To enquire about the upcoming camp, please phone Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66.