There are some experiences in life that are so profound that one can neither articulate nor quantify the precise impact it had on oneself, and Camp Sababa was one of those experiences for me. Over the course of a mere few days I was privileged enough to be exposed to an entirely new realm of thought and behaviour, as, charged with the care of both my own camper and the other campers, I was forced to step into a role of complete selflessness, placing the needs of someone else above my own 24 hours a day. Whilst, needless to say this constant and vigilant care was both tiring and at times frustrating, coming from Year 12, a year where everything revolves around you and your needs, the opportunity that Camp provides to step out of that mindset of taking and into one of giving, is something not too short of extraordinary. If you ask anyone of the buddies at the end of camp to sum up their experience, they’d say it was “eye-opening” and as cliche as this sounds, it’s completely true. Camp was not only immensely fun, but for me, it allowed me to acknowledge my own naivety - that I, in fact, did not know, nor understand the complexity, depth and variety of children with disabilities.

Camp Sababa provides young adults with an opportunity to not only immerse themselves in a rewarding experience but also provide respite to the families of children with special needs. Whilst the 4 days spent together are short, they provide both the companion and the camper with fun experiences and perhaps more importantly, allow for a truly impactful experience. The experience of the camper is probably far more important than that of the companion yet the look of sheer joy when we went ice skating or the time we spent playing in the wave pool provided both myself and my camper with laughs and smiles that impacted us both. It is an experience that is profoundly rewarding for everyone involved and provides memories that you will find yourself smiling about at the most surprising of moments.

Walking into Camp Sababa was walking into unfamiliar territory. Not having much experience with working with children with special needs I didn't know what I was going to be confronted with. Yet with all that aside, stepping out of that camp was something heart warming and rewarding. Having to look after a child that was almost completely non-verbal definitely had it strains, but the feeling and connection you make when making him smile and happy and just knowing he genuinely wanted to be there was something else. I can only speak highly of Camp Sababa - from the way it runs to the ongoing support, and I hope that all year 12 graduates will have the same experience as I did.

Participating at Camp Sababa, being fresh out of high school, was an unbelievable experience. The trust that is handed to you from the parents is truly a privilege, and this trust allowed me to grow as an individual. The hands-on experience opened my eyes to people with disabilities, and how our kindness goes a long way and means a lot to the kids and their families. Through Camp Sababa, I have been able to form a genuine relationship with my buddy, and still, have contact with him after the camp. I think everyone should consider volunteering for Camp Sababa because of the positive impact it leaves on the kids and yourself.