It was the week before camp and Mary’s (not her real name) mum was wishing for a miracle…
School camp had been a terrible experience for Mary and she never wanted to attend school camp again. She had been forced to eat foods that she hated. “It’s all in your head” was the response from the teacher and camp staff. She passed out, collapsed, fainted and has now an anorexic condition amongst other mental issues.
Her mother made contact numerous times talking with Paula and after being reassured that we could make her daughter’s camping experience one of joy & comfort, she wept uncontrollably on the other end of the phone.
Mary arrived all excited and came down to meet Leanne and Amanda. Once again, after going through her camping schedule without making her feel one bit uncomfortable, she bounced off to the activities.
We prepared her vegemite sandwiches, plain ice cream – everything her mother had requested with no questions asked. She wasn’t anaphylaxis to nuts or eggs or any other special diet but she was still a special person coming on camp to have a positive experience, one that she will remember for the rest of her life. Our staff were almost brought to tears when she grabbed the apple crumble, not bothering with the plain Vanilla Ice cream.
Our team, from the office staff, to the programmers, to the host’s, to the kitchen catering team, all contributed in making a significant difference to a complete stranger’s life. It wasn’t one individual that made Mary’s experience so positive, it was all the staff wearing the Phillip Island Adventure Resort t-shirt.
It’s so easy to think that all we do at work is make another 400 serves of bolognaise or once again fill the fruit basket, but what we are really doing is reflecting Christian Values into the lives of our guests. .What do they say. ‘I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day’ I think we would all agree with that
My son is coming here this year for his grade 3/4 camp I feel reasured that he will have a great time.