Volunteering at Licola Wilderness Camp: A Reflection
I have recently returned from a week of volunteering duties at the Licola Wilderness camp. My role was as a group leader. We spent our days encouraging, organising, having fun with, providing comfort to, and generally spending every waking moment with the children selected to go on the Lions’ sponsored camp.
Each cabin has approximately 12 children and 2 leaders, and as a group we eat, clean and play- effectively we become a family away from home. Additionally, each cabin is divided in half before joining another cabin (of the opposite gender) to participate in the activities. This means that each child will closely mix with 17 other children whilst playing and mixing with others during free time. On our camp we had approximately 70 children, this considered small with more than 150 in attendance the week before.
The Lions clubs are involved in all aspects of the camp. From sponsoring each cabin, paying for the children to attend, and volunteering at working bees and on the camps themselves. This, a perfect example of the ‘hands on’ approach to Lions- we raise the money and then we support the event. Let me tell you that this camp is well worth supporting!
All up there were about 20 volunteers on the camp, their duties ranging from first aid, kitchen, general support and group leadership. Incredibly there were some volunteers who had participated in more than 100 camps, whilst many others had attended multiple times. Several of these volunteers spend their annual holidays working at these camps. The youngest group leader was a 17 year old about to start year 12 (the kids loved him) whilst I won’t hazard a guess at the age of the oldest! The camaraderie is very strong between the volunteers, we play and joke around but keep the focus on the children.
The management of the camp is very professional; support, safety, organisation and a consistent message of ‘the children first’. The rock stars are the activity leaders, so full of energy and skill, funny, engaging and patient with both the timid and challenging child. They are fit, professional and friendly- a perfect role model for the campers. The food is plentiful, healthy and tasty. They cater for the fussy with a calm competence that is a marvel to behold.
The children are from ages 8 to 11. They are chosen and sponsored by local Lions clubs and will, I believe, have a life changing experience. Presumably most of the children are disadvantaged, some with health and emotional issues whilst others perhaps getting some relief from a difficult home life. However, regardless of the individual circumstances they just act like kids! They were open, energetic, friendly, responsive and supportive of one another. Much of the secret to their success is because the camp operates much like a school, with clear guidelines set and consequences equally spelt out- you did not want to be sent to the disciplinarian (Fish was her name). On the other hand, Fish was also the leader who revved them up in the morning- singing and dancing and getting them going. In other words- have fun but stay within the rules. Moreover, they were expected to clean their cabins and participate on a roster system in the kitchen. No-one left the table until everyone finished, silence was expected when the leaders were discussing the day’s agenda but, at the same time, I witnessed constant silent support for those children who struggled to meet these rules. The child who would not eat the healthy meal was found a suitable replacement. A DVD put on for the child having a meltdown or just needing a rest. The main message- meet the basic obligations and you will have a fantastic, unique, fun experience.
The surrounds of the campsite are spectacular, set in a valley with a river winding its way around the grounds, the campsite a beautifully maintained park with activity equipment scattered to all parts. The river is utilised for canoeing, swimming and raft building. In fact these 3 activities come together much of the time, with the canoeists ‘attacking’ the rafters resulting in a river full of swimmers. Great fun! The kids are expected to build and race a raft during this activity. They learn basic building and rope tying skills whilst working as a team on a tight deadline. Half of our cabin did this activity on the first day and loved it, my boys were really keen but had to wait until the last day to make their rafts. Unfortunately it was cold and raining but it did not stop them! Once the raft was built and launched it, of course, flipped over halfway across the river. This was the moment when the canoeists attacked- mayhem all around- but my boys persisted and literally swam their raft to victory. I was a very proud group leader. This on top of winning the trivia night on Tuesday. Very talented my group.
Some of the challenging activities included a huge flying fox, giant swing, high ropes, abseiling, rock climbing and the ‘leap of faith’. Personally, I attempted most of the activities, the hardest by far- the ‘leap of faith’. Once tied to a safety harness you climb a ladder and then a pole until you are probably 200 metres in the air (15 metres but it felt like 200), and at this point you balance and lift yourself onto a 10 centimetre (30 centimetres) platform before launching yourself at a ball in the far far distance (2 metres) and crashing to earth (gently lowered by the activity leader). However the worst part of this activity- witnessing the 8 year olds leap up in a couple of bounds and casually jumping off. Soul destroying.
Probably the most rewarding experience is watching the children develop. Some just easily attempted everything, but many were cautious and it took a lot of coaxing to get them to try the activities. One example was when a boy finally decided to go on the flying fox after I had completed it. Another, when two very shy boys decided to participate in the last night’s musical extravaganza. During the week the children had been designing and practising their performance pieces, and initially these two boys resolutely refused to have anything to do with it. But as the week went on their confidence grew, they knew they would not be laughed at, and they gave it a go. I was even given their digital camera to tape the event for mum to watch- and best of all it went off like a treat!
Another positive the close bond the boys made. In one instance a boy, who by his own admission told me how much he struggled to make friends, had fallen ill and was in the First Aid room for much of the last day’s activities. But he wanted to watch his group perform their show and came in for a short while; without any prompting the boys got around him and really made him feel special. He had made genuine friends who cared for him. Nothing better.
