Student Volunteering
The guidance you may need to help you to make the most of the opportunities on offer at Breakaway
Students
Placements are full-time and require completion of Camp Breakaway modules 1 -4
Check our positionsand training
To all students
University and TAFE students studying for the following are welcome to develop skills at Camp Breakaway
- Certificate III in Care Work
- Certificate III in Disability
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Students are provided with accommodation and meals
- Students are not specifically required to sleepover
- Students are free of night-time responsibility for their camper
- Students can have time off each day to unwind, complete course requirements and study
- Two students will share the care of a camper who requires moderate to high physical care
- Students are assisted when required by experienced volunteers – including registered nurses
A typical day for two students would be
Both begin 7am till 9am; student one off 9am till 1pm, student two off 1.30pm till 5.30pm, both on 5.30pm 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.