Camp, a two-way benefit

A holiday camp for intellectually handicapped children was held in Wanganui in the May vacation.

About a dozen Victoria University students were among the 76 young people of the Society of Friends (Quakers) who organised the camp.

Nearly 40 people between eight and 40 attended the camp, which was held at the New Zealand Friends School.

"The Young Friends were put into pairs," said Murray Short, a member of the organising committee. Wherever possible, each pair with one handicapped person. Each pair of organisers took turns to look after the guest.

The daily programme began at 7 o'clock when the Friends helped their guests to wash and dress.

All morning the activities groups moved through the four activities provided. These were: art, music, games, and dress-up and make-believe.

Flexibility was the key note of the programme. If a child could not or did not want to do art, then the Young Friend or "pal" would go to an activity the child did like. In the afternoons sport was organised.

In the evenings there were songs, stories or television.

Murray Short said that quite apart from any value to the children or their parents, the experience was valuable for the Young Friends.

"We soon came to see the handicapped less as 'cases' to be coped with and more as people with whom relationships were developing," he said.