Support Staff Frequently Asked Questions

What does a day at camp look like? 

We are supporting children on camp from wake up to bedtime each day on camp. Days are busy and action packed! Each camp has their own schedule, and activities change up depending on the camp (e.g. Girls and Boys trip are both in summer and we stay near the beach so there is plenty of swimming and beach time vs gaming camp which is usually in winter)

What roles are involved with being a camp group support? 

• To collaborate with the camp therapy team to plan assessments and interventions, and to implement these on camp to support the learning of campers across the day on camp.

• Team leaders and camp mentors will assist in guiding and tailoring intervention and assessment on camp to help find the ‘just right’ challenge and fit for campers learning 

• To notify team leaders, mentors or the camp manager of any concerns observed/noted about team member and camper safety and engagement e.g. if you notice someone becoming unwell or if they are requiring support to debrief a situation please notify a team leader, mentor or the camp manager as soon as possible. 

• To assist your team in writing a daily newsletter that is emailed to caregivers. This includes highlights for your group, successes and an update on activities your group has been doing on camp. 

• To assist your team in taking and collating photos of campers for the newsletter and for their photo page that they can keep as a memento of camp

• To learn and build on your own learning goals on camp

• And most importantly, to bring your energy, experience and interests to share with the group where possible- children (and our team!) really appreciate any new ideas and when people are able to share their interests and passions with us on camp!

What is the accommodation like?

This changes depending on the camp you are coming to. Here are some examples:

• On Camp Confidence we sleep in shared dorm style accommodation, spending at least one night sleeping in a dorm with other campers (we all take turns in case they need someone during the night) and the other nights with other adults who are also on camp. There are bunk beds at the camp school we go to for this one

• On Girls Trip, Boys Trip, Girls Sleepover and Gaming Camp we stay in short term accommodation homes (usually Airbnb or Stayz). Shared rooms again for these camps but usually not bunk beds!

What sort of meals and snacks are provided?

The menu changes up each year slightly but typically cereal/toast/fruit for breakfast, hamburgers/wraps/rolls for lunches, cake or biscuits with fruit for morning and afternoon tea and dinners are meals like span bol, meat with veg, fish and chips. 

What do we wear?

Comfortable clothes are best! On our more active camps like Camp Confidence, adults tend to prefer exercise type clothes. We just ask that you don’t wear any low cut tops, or super short shorts, and if there is swimming on camp, not having revealing bathers. From a comfort point of view because camp is so active, lots of people prefer rash shirts and board shorts for swimming anyway because it means they can move freely without worrying about flashing someone! Sunsmart wise, shirts with sleeves are highly recommended.

What learning do we do before camp?

To help make the most of camp, we send through links for some pre-recorded webinars for you to watch in your own time. These webinars are a range of theory based, and some camp specific ones too. If you have been to camp with us before, we have some different videos that we can give you access to.

Here are some examples of pre-camp learning webinars you will have access to:

• Self regulation

• Sensory processing

• Social Skills

• Camp Policies and Processes 

We also have some reading recommendations for you before camp which are in the camp welcome pack- such as reading up on the STEPSI as a start to understanding some of the frameworks used during debriefing time each night on camp.

How do we get to camp?

There is parking space available at all camps but as there are so many of us, where possible we try to carpool. It also makes a difference for the drive home when everyone is tired after the week of camp to have someone who can drive with you! If you are driving, please park in the carpark near the oval, reversed parked so that the front of your car is facing towards the exit

Girls Trip and Boys Trip we catch public transport to and from camp but you will need a plan on getting to and from the train station we meet at. 

We can give you some more information specifically about travel and parking for the camp you are keen to come to, or are coming along to. 

Do we have break times on camp?

During the day groups rotate through giving all supports a break time. This changes year to year and depends on your group and group schedules. Different people like different kinds of breaks too – some like to have time away from the group, others slightly longer shower times, or times to just sit back from the group. We need to look out for our team and ourselves, so even if you don’t think you need a break, someone may suggest it as in the moment it can be hard to recognise how we may be feeling. The campers pick up on how we are feeling too, so that is another reason why it is so important to look after yourself.