Sony Camp

MS ROBYN GIBSON & MR STEPHEN EARDLEY sony camp coordinator

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all love of what you are doing or learning to do”. Pele

Once again this year, I have been fortunate enough to co–chair the TSS Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp and what a successful camp it has been. This success is not possible without gathering a competent, confident and committed team of staff who truly love the Camp experience; whose reward for a huge effort would be to see the transformational effect of the Camp on so many of our boys, both the full companions and the assistants.

Miss Andrews and Mr McFarlane not only brought to the camp their expert knowledge in their fields of study (Child Psychology and Medicine respectively) but a level of enthusiasm, passion and commitment, which is certainly contagious. Mr Eardley (co-chair of TSS Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp) is undoubtedly the foundation stone upon which this camp is built. His precamp training days, organisation and support of the Companions throughout the camp, evening debrief sessions and post-camp de-brief were crucial in the success of the camp. Mr Bos once again exemplified the contagious effect of positivity and passion, organising activities and engaging companions, assistants and campers in a series of adventures each day. His ability to improvise and problem solve ensured each activity was both engaging and enjoyable. Mrs Green again assembled an extraordinarily efficient and caring team of highly qualified health care professionals who ensured the campers received the best possible medical attention throughout the camp. Miss Wain, Mr Hogan and Mr Bayldon-Lumsden worked tirelessly each day of the camp assisting wherever needed and supporting the boys when they needed a word of comfort or advice or maybe a few minutes respite. We were fortunate enough to have two alumni join us this year, Mr Shields and Mr Roberts from the cohort of 2016. These two fine young men assisted whenever and wherever possible, sleeping over in Rogers House and helping the Companions and Assistants. Mrs Alford was exceptional in her organisation of the logistics of accommodation and meals for the camp. Her tireless efforts in ensuring all was in readiness for us are sincerely appreciated.

The impact of the Camp on the TSS boys is best seen through their own words. Here is a reflection from one of our boys: Sony Camp for me was a life changing experience. Over the four-day period I took sole responsibility for the full time care of a special needs child, and through the process I learnt more about boys in this intense experience than what I had gathered in the 13 years that I had been at TSS with them. Personally, I developed a profound respect for the 18 special needs campers that took part in the program, and each and every one of the boys that gave their time, effort, energy and care to their campers. The experiences these boys were exposed to through their participation in the Sony Camp this year will be with them long after they have forgotten much of what we have taught them about maths, history, english and science. This has been an authentic life experience – and educational opportunity shared by the boys, the campers and the staff. We have all benefited from this extraordinary adventure.