Who Gives: Glen Williams

Who?

Glen Williams, 22

Where?

North Beach, WA

What?

Volunteer, Kids’ Camps Inc.

Why?

Many people in their twenties spend their time travelling the world or partying with friends; but not Glen Williams.

A volunteer for Kids’ Camps Inc., Glen donates his time away from his Education degree at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia to children with intellectual disabilities.

Over the past year, Glen has attended four week-long camps and numerous weekend camps, where he has been responsible for children with varying conditions ranging in severity.

“Every camp throws up a different challenge and I really enjoy that,” he says of his time chaperoning kids to animal farms, parks, local pools, beaches and even sand-boarding and horse riding.

“The kids get to experience activities that other kids take for granted,” he explains.

Rather than showering him with praise and admiration for assisting those with disabilities, Glen believes everyone should “jump on board and lend a hand”.

While the experiences, social interaction and respite from home and parents is an obvious benefit for the kids attending camp, Glen says the nearly 200 volunteers that lend their time to Kids’ Camp Inc. also grow from the experience.

“You can’t really describe the feeling you get from being on camp or the experiences that you share. You become close because it’s the hardest week you’ll ever have in your life. The volunteers are fantastic, even those first-timers who are hesitant. Watching them grow during the week is really good to see.”

Incorporated in 1981, Kids’ Camps Inc. provides school holiday and weekend recreation and respite camps for children aged six to 18 years who have an intellectual disability.