Jack Roberts Camp 2007 “Wild Wild West”
This year I was lucky enough to attend the Jack Roberts Camp for Boys with Disabilities (JRC). The camp this year was themed around the Wild Wild West. I went on Jack Roberts not really knowing what to expect. I had heard good and bad stories about it, and had been told countless times that I would be pushed to my personal limit, but I would have to extend that limit. I was nervous about applying for it, but my Venturer Leader said it would be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I had never worked with disabled kids before and the idea of spending a week caring for them made me question what I was actually getting myself into.
All the Venturers got up to Oakbank the day before the buddies, which gave us a chance to crash-test our ‘getting to know you’ games on the Venturers. This extra day gave us the chance to make sure everything was ready for the buddies and that all the Venturers were prepared for a full-on week. With our last good night’s sleep looming, we went to bed, our heads filled with countless possibilities that the week ahead could hold for us and our buddy.
The buddies arrived the next day and all the Venturers were abuzz with excitement and anticipation. The Venturers that had been before (all 5 of them) were looking out for their buddies from last year, the rest of us were sitting back watching these kids getting off the buses and out of their parents’ cars. I was taken back by how many of them seemed so ‘normal’, it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. All the Venturers this year welcomed their buddies and smiles were shared, seeing my buddy and others smiling made me relax a bit but I was still nervous. Once the buddies had settled in, we all met in the Rec room and discussed the week’s events. I looked around the room; all the Venturers were caring for their buddies and smiles were everywhere. All those stories I had heard about people crying and breaking down, I was starting to think that they were just saying it to scare me off. I found out later on in the week that this wasn’t true at all.
We had many different activities over the week at Oakbank, both onsite and off. Our onsite activities incorporated a bucking bull, cream pie throwing, target practice, a water fight with the Oakbank/Balhannah CFS and, of course, cactus jousting. Our offsite activities included a trip to the local swimming pool, the Adelaide Zoo, Dundee’s Crocodile Centre and Murray Bridge where we saw the Bunyip. All the time we were at an activity, whether it was onsite or off, the buddies were smiling and laughing. This was the most rewarding part. Knowing that your input for a week can brighten up a life and bring a smile to a child’s face.
There was never a dull moment while we were away. The only time you actually got a break was when the buddies were in bed, and even then, you were wondering how long you could actually sleep for, before someone was going to come and knock on the door and ask for help down in the tents with the buddies.
When the buddies left, there were some tears (we didn’t want to see them go) but there were also many smiles from knowing that we had brought some joy and friendship into the buddies’ lives. The buddies went home tired after an exciting week of fighting Indians and practicing to be a good cowboy. The Venturers went home content with the amount of work they had put in, the new friendships that they had built with other Venturers and the buddies, and also feeling very happy that we had the chance to spend a week with some of the most brilliant kids. The support that was offered by the other Venturers, Leaders and CARA carers was truly appreciated.
Even though I was really nervous about going to JRC I’m very pleased that I did. I extended my personal limit and pushed my boundaries by getting my buddy and I deeply involved in all the activities and doing things I never thought possible.
The week I spent on Jack Roberts was definitely one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I thank my Venturer Leader for giving me that helping hand into it. I highly recommend JRC for all Venturers looking to spend a week being tired and frustrated, but having an awesome time with some brilliant kids. Seeing the buddies smile and laugh makes it all worth while.
Bianca Lang
LOCO Venturers.
