Summary
SDS delivered our annual summer sports camp for children aged 10 - 17 years old with a physical disability, vision impairment or hearing loss. The residential camp took place at Badaguish Campsite with participants in attendance over 3 days. We supported carers by providing a short break during the duration of camp but also longer term by ensuring campers were more confident and independent after their camp experience. Post camp, we supported the campers into regular sporting opportunities.
What Summer Sports Camp 2023 did
During their stay at camp, participants took part in the following activities:
- Cycling, bushcraft skills, orienteering, archery, canoeing/sailing and highland games. The activities were mainly delivered on site with the exception of the water sports and archery which took place at Loch Insh.
- An expedition varying in length between 4 and 6 miles from camp, around Loch Morlich and back, over some very challenging terrain, encouraging campers to work together to ensure everyone made it around the Loch.
- Free time with optional activities was built in to allow greater opportunity for socialisation while ensuring no camper would be left with a feeling that they had nothing to do. Optional activities included things such as arts and crafts, karaoke, football and boccia.
While the young people were at any camp, parents and carers were encouraged to make the most of their time participating in activities and hobbies they and their families enjoyed. However this year we decided to go a step further and trial supplying accommodation for carers and their families at the nearby Glenmore Lodge Centre. This reduced travel time for this coming from further distances ensuring they could do more with their short break. Additionally, all of their meals were supplied and activity options suggested and funded. This also allowed reassurance to carers knowing they were only 10 minutes away from camp - this was particularly helpful to carers who had not previously had their cared for individual stay away from home.
The accommodation at Glenmore Lodge was a clear success and something we will look to grow in the coming years. Further to this, the expedition once more demonstrated to the young people and their carers what their true potential is and certainly empowered many of them to feel more independent and confident within themselves.
What Scottish Disability Sport has learned
We have learned that this project still fills a gap in provision and offers an experience which is not only allowing carers a much needed short break but also helping to develop the young people with disabilities to demonstrate to them and their families what they are capable of. This leads to increased confidence and subsequently increased independence, thus easing the expectations on carers throughout the rest of the year.
Our biggest learning this year was that we need to continue offering spaces for carers and families at the nearby Glenmore lodge or equivalent accommodation. This accommodation improved the short break that families and carers experienced by easing their anxiety knowing they were only 5 minutes away from camp. It also reduced their travel time for the duration of camp meaning they had more quality time during the short break to enjoy activities and hobbies they enjoy. This offering also meant there were a range of activity options immediately available to partake in that they may not have access to locally.
How Scottish Disability Sport has benefitted from the funding
This project would not be possible without the support of better breaks. The funding allows us to deliver a bespoke experience in a new and unique environment for many of the participants. The scope of the funding to be able to get accommodation, specialist equipment, activities and staff costs, really does allow us to be creative and ensure carers can enjoy their short break while being assured that everything is place for their young person to thrive in an environment designed to develop life skills as well as being the fun and sociable setting that young people seek. The support from Shared Care Scotland helps us to continually evaluate our offering and come up with new ideas to improve – such as the carer accommodation we piloted this year.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Up to 40 more children and young people will feel more included and confident in accessing sport and physical activity. Wider social networks will be improved.
Results
30 participants have been able to experience a range of sports throughout the summer camp and undertake challenges that have safely pushed them outside their comfort zone. The team element and sharing accommodation alongside designated free time has cultivated an environment for social interaction to always take place. This has subsequently improved the social networks of the participants. Feedback we have received from numerous campers and their families has highlighted an increase in confidence around taking on new opportunities or interacting with people they have not met before thanks to their positive experiences at our Summer Camp.
Case study
The mother of one participant had the following to say on this area: “Increased confidence about being able to do things with people he had not met before. Great reference point when discussing new opportunities”.
Another added: “(Summer Camp) Helped to build friendships, gain confidence to try new activities, and be more independent.”
Outcome
Carers of our participants will feel more supported in their role and will have witnessed positive impacts of the project.
Results
The camp once more met the mark for this outcome. As previously mentioned, we aim to not only provide a short-break for the duration of camp but also try to develop the life skills of the individuals attending to support them and their carers longer term. For example, one parent expressed their joy, that their child is now independent in terms of making her own lunches, easing that pressure on her parents. We received multiple pieces of feedback to this end but also many points were made around activities or social outings that parents and carers were able to take as a result of summer camp. Some of this feedback is listed below in the case study section.
Case study
One mother highlighted her delight at being able to take some time to go hill climbing/exploring stating the period during Summer Camp was the first time she had been able to go and do something like that in well over 10 years.
Another parent added the following “We took time to enjoy the outdoors too. Really enjoyable to relax, knowing participant X is getting this incredible opportunity and experience with peers. It gives confidence knowing she’s developing the skills to become a confident independent young person.”
“It allowed me to see how participant Y manages when left with a group that is not known to him and gives me hope that he will eventually be able to live independently. It was also the only time in the year when he was not with us on an evening which I think was beneficial to both of us.”
Outcome
Youngsters are involved in regular sport and physical activity and have made a wider network of friends.
Results
In our long-term feedback, many parents noted the benefits of camp in relation to making new friends and growing the wider network of the participant. Those who have attended other SDS events have therefore enjoyed catching up with friends they made at camp or felt more relaxed owing to the fact they know people taking part thanks to Summer Camp.
The camp allowed participants to try sports such as archery, boccia, kayaking and cycling. This allowed participants to do things they may have never tried before and with the support of our regional managers and disability sport branches, they could be supported into new and regular local opportunities. The camp successfully demonstrated to all the participants that they could push their limits to more than they previously believed, evidenced by all of them completing the 4-mile walk. The confidence from this will set them up well for future challenges in life.
Case study
The mother of one camper had the following to say: “Participant A going away for the first time without me had such a positive impact on her life. She enjoyed it so much and made lots of new friends within SDS. She got a chance to participate in new activities that she hadn’t done before and included these in a huge part of her schoolwork and has presented assemblies at her school on how wonderful an experience the camp was and how SDS has helped her.”
One carer noted the following in her feedback “Participant Z has made friends at the camp which she still keeps in contact with and sees a lot of them at other activities”.
“Participant B grew in confidence in her abilities and made friendships”.
Outcome
Carers witness a positive impact in the youngster’s physical, social and emotional well-being as a result of the camp which eases some of the strains involved in caring.
Results
This is where our camp aims to excel. Pushing the boundaries of what participants and their families or carers think they are capable of and hopefully developing the individual in relation to their independence as well as offering them a fun and enjoy able experience. Many families and carers made note in their feedback of specific developments around their young person’s confidence and independence, this highlights to us that we have achieved what we set out to do.
Case study
Parents had the following to say:
“There were situations that he had to use his previously taught strategies or own initiative without a family member stepping in to help. I was a proud mum when he told me about it!”
“(Camp) Emphasised the need to let him do as much as he can on his own with support ready to be given as and when he actually needs it”.
“We could certainly see her independence and confidence increasing.”