Camp Breakaway Student Placements

Students from Universities and TAFE, from courses covering the health and social sciences, are welcome to develop their skills at Camp Breakaway.

All volunteers and students are provided with accommodation and meals for the duration of their time at camp.

Students are not required to “sleepover” in the camper cabins, and are clear of the night time responsibility for their camper. They also have time off each day to unwind, complete course requirements or study.

Two students share the care of one camper who requires moderate to high physical care. They are assisted as required by experienced volunteers and the volunteer registered nurses.

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A typical day for two students would be:

Both begin 7am till 9am; student one off 9am till 1pm, student two off 1-30 till 5-30pm, both on 5-30 till 10pm. Total of 11 hours camper contact. (Many campers are in bed before 10pm but we include the hours to then.)

A variation on this pattern occurs Monday when we all go sailing and time off varies. Also on Tuesday when all students attend a shared education session for 2-5 hours to share information gained and debrief. Friday finishes 12 noon.

This gives 70 hours working with their camper and others, plus 15.5 hours of pre camp training - a total of 85.5 hours.

This pattern is used as two weeks placement by a variety of university and TAFE students with the first week including the module hours plus Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and week two beginning Tuesday till Friday 12 noon. Some institutions require students to complete 100 hours and we also provide for this.

The Module training is preparation for all volunteers and includes:

Occupational health and Safety;
Understanding disability, the individual and family consequences;
The importance of communication, confidentiality and discrimination;
Infection control;
Personal care;
Safe use of slings, lifters and special equipment;
The importance of inclusion and enjoyment in daily activities and entertainment.

Students are encouraged to work in all areas available, so far covered in their course and the module training. This may include supervised medication administration for nursing students. The emphasis for all volunteers and students is on teamwork. All are encouraged to assist and to seek assistance with all the campers as required.

The website has a number of testimonials from students who have enjoyed their stay and enhanced their learning from their course perspective and their people skills, with both the disabled community and with fellow volunteers.