Scope - Therapy, Training, Consultancy - Communication Resource Centre

Big Mouth Camp

"Kalamazoo!" OUCH! My legs hurt just at the thought of this word - but it still manages to bring a smile to my face. Why? Because this was the spell that turned everyone into frogs at this year's Big Mouth Camp! Trust me, if you didn't jump, you were in trouble because there was 50 pairs of eyes watching your every move! The theme was set, for five days, Rawson Village was transferred into "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" - that's right, we were living in Harry Potter's world!

Eleven families including 17 parents, 11 children with disabilities and 14 siblings made the journey aboard the "Hogwarts Express" to Rawson Village, a beautiful location, approximately two hours drive north east of Melbourne. Approximately 25 staff including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, students and teachers came along to provide their expertise to the children and their families.

The Big Mouth Camp is for school aged children using electronic communication devices and their families and carers. The primary aim of the camp is for the children using the devices to become more competent communicators in a fun and relaxing atmosphere where they can meet other children who also use devices.

During the morning sessions, children with devices would break up into their groups and have some intensive therapy blocks provided by speech pathologists and occupational therapists. The parents would participate in information and training sessions about new equipment and programming presented by therapists from Regency Park, Communication Aids and Resource Materials (CARM), Zygo and ComTEC. Siblings were kept busy in their own recreation program. Some of the activities included playing soccer, balloon races, a ropes course and a treasure hunt. In the afternoons, all parents, children and therapists came together and were involved in a number of group activities. There was a charms class where children made magic wands and used them to turn people into pigs, cows and dogs, and even to make them disappear. Potions class included making rockets, volcanoes and tie-dying wizard's capes. Last but definitely not least was the quidditch match, where everyone made their own broomsticks and competed in one of the biggest and best 'soccer' games I have ever seen. Fun filled days I assure you - but the night's proved to be just as entertaining with games, a campfire, movies and of course, the talent show!

Funded by Telstra and the Bennelong Foundation and auspiced by CAUS (Communication Aid Users Society) and DEAL (Dignity, Education and Language), the Big Mouth Camp was an amazing success. The support shown by therapists from the Communication Resource Centre, Zygo, Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia, PEEL therapy services and the Crippled Children's Association of South Australia ensured that the children received quality intervention specific to their individual needs and goals. Cam West and Mel Smith were fantastic as the camp's "role models". They talked to children and parents about their personal experiences and encouraged them in a lot of ways. Once again, the camp would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of Jane Farrall who did an outstanding job.

The Big Mouth Camp was an unforgettable experience! I urge therapists and volunteers to be involved next year. You will learn so much and I guarantee, will not be disappointed, as long as you don't require too much sleep that is! Congratulations to everyone who helped make the 2004 Big Mouth Camp such a huge success!

Katie Lyon
Speech Pathologist
(03) 9843 2007
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