Woodlarks Adventurers Camp

I can't be the only mother in the world to admit that the Summer holidays fill me with dread?  Especially  if faced with a child with special needs.  So am happy to announce Summer '13 was the best yet with my children.  

It started with Joel going on a camp for disabled children called Woodlarks Adventurers' Camp for boys aged 10-18 with disabilities in Farnham, Surrey.  http://www.woodlarks.org.uk/ 

It's the most amazing camp you would want your child to stay on with an outdoor swimming pool, beautiful grounds and Joel stayed in a purpose built chalet with two helpers Zoe and Emma and Michelle who was supervising.  Michelle has been on this camp for over ten years and I knew immediately Joel was going to be in good hands under her care.  Michelle lives in Brixton and is a teacher's assistant in a special needs school and other volunteers were at school or uni with many studying medicine.  One doctor in the making Greg helped with Joel too and Emma and Zoe were Joel's helpers on the camp who were great with him.  Yet again I am amazed at these young people working with kids with disabilities like last year when I was in Lourdes with Joel.

Joel with Zoe, Greg and Emma

Joel on Aerial Runway

I couldn't believe Joel had a lovely chalet style room; I could even plug his cd player in as he enjoys music at night.  I didn't think Joel was ready for a tent just yet as most were out camping.  But Joel entered into the spirit of things and went to the camp fires joining in with everything.  Thank you Woodlarks and thank you to Bob Newport who is the camp co-ordinator who is disabled himself and in a wheelchair - 'I'm the man with no legs and one arm when you see me'.  He had a great sense of humour and years ago was scout leader to the camp 'cooks' who were now in their 50s and have been coming to Woodlarks since they were 13 to help out.  I still get bowled over by all these amazing people who choose to take time out of their work schedules to volunteer with kids like my boy.  I think the pictures say it all.  Joel was very happy there.  Bob said Joel will be able to come every year until he's 18.  What an amazing offer.  I took a leap of faith into the unknown (the nurse who met me when I turned up picked up I was a little nervous leaving him but immediately put me at ease).  

Joel Climbing at Woodlarks Summer Camp 2013

Joel on the Aerial Runway Woodlarks Camp

Bowling day out 

Earth Child - Joel with Zoe taking time out to meditate

Chilling out at lunch time on camp

Joel singing with Emma

So I went to Dorset and Devon to see friends with Holly and Max while Joel was in camp and Joel came down to meet us in Cornwall to stay with the Grandparents and had the best time ever but that'll come in another chapter.

Joel has had an amazing Summer with his family and for that first week of the Summer holidays with these wonderful young people.  That week made a huge difference for me and doubtless the twenty other parents or carers of the other kids there .  It gave me a breather and it gave me a chance to go on a road trip with my other two and spend time with them.  Max was particularly hard work that week but he's in his terrible three stage.  Someone said it was the xxxxing threes which I thought was a very apt way of describing it.  A stranger said I had my hands full when Max had a tantrum and I said 'you don't know the half of it' with a wry smile.  This was a break from the other with severe autism!  Hoping Max will get out of that stage some time soon and it's hard to tell as Joel age three was just a screaming wreck most of the time and didn't have any communication or social awareness and Max is very social.  Just a boy who's just getting to grips with potty training...that's another story.

I have survived this Summer unscathed and actually will miss them when they're back at school tomorrow.  But not that much.  Roll on tomorrow....thank goodness it's over!

Joel, Holly and Max enjoying a swim at home Summer 2013