Bond University students will bring smiles to the faces of 25 special-needs children in the lead up to Christmas at the Bond University Sony Foundation Childrens Holiday Camp.
The three-day holiday camp is an intensive program where the children live on campus from December 19 to December 22. The volunteering Bond students take responsibility for the children’s well-being as well as organising activities and supervising games.
Bond Sony Foundation Childrens Holiday Camp convenor Andrew Dennis said the camp provided an opportunity for him and his fellow students to give the children a fun and entertaining experience while providing the children’s parents and carers with some much needed respite.
“We are really excited about this year’s camp, it’s been a long planning process and we’re looking forward to welcoming the kids to campus,” said Mr Dennis.
“The interest has grown remarkably since the initial camp four years ago and we are really proud of the Bondies wanting to give to the wider community.”
The children will be kept entertained with a jam-packed program of sport, theatre, adventure and games.
“We have an exciting program planned this year including a trip to Sea World, a scavenger hunt with Bondy bear and a ride on the Aqua Duck,” he said.
The camp is part of more than 20 camps taking place across the nation thanks to the Sony Foundation which has been running these camps since 1999.
The students, supported by a team of dedicated teaching and medical staff, are responsible for the care of these children 24 hours a day over the course of the camp.
On Wednesday December 21, all participants will come together for a carnival on the Bond University Ornamental Laws with special appearances from the Queensland Fire Department as well as an animal petting zoo and face painting.
Andrew, who has been involved with the Bond camp for the past three years attests it’s a life-changing experience.
“The kids are often shy at first and don’t want to leave their parents but by the end of the camp the tears are about going home; it’s a really rewarding thing to be involved with.”
