Inclusivity matters - New Zealand S2C community hold their first ever Family Camp

The New Zealand S2C community (Spelling to Communicate) held their first ever Family Camp with First Step Outdoors at Pirongia Forest Park Lodge, 25th- 27th April 2025.
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The first of its kind in Australasia, the camp was supported by Sport New Zealand who saw the camp  as a leading and innovative example of a provider meeting the diverse needs and aspirations of tamariki and rangatahi.  
Known as S2C, the Spelling to Communicate method is designed to help nonspeaking individuals communicate by pointing to letters on a board or keyboard to spell out words. It helps them express their thoughts and needs through written communication, overcoming speech barriers.

The camp was the brainchild of First Step Outdoors MD Kate Parr and her friend Alison Short, after Kate took Alison's son Dion rock climbing. Dion is a nonspeaker who uses spelling to communicate.

Working closely with Alison and S2C Practitioner Andrea Darroch, the dream to hold a camp became a reality.   With help of a team of instructors and camp facilitators,  Kate, Alison and Andrea were able to provide a range of fun activities in an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment. 

The camp included zip lining, rock climbing, bush walking and a campfire, with the group also writing a special campfire song with the help of local musician Katrina Rae. There were also group spelling sessions and the camp was an opportunity for the spellers to come together and to communicate with each other.  

“At First Step Outdoors our philosophy has always been  “No child left behind," said First Step Outdoors MD Kate Parr.

“Over the years we have run a number of camps to meet the needs of people in our community who are excluded from active recreation or who face many more barriers than most to be able to participate.”

Kate says “We are committed to sharing our experiences and learning more about adaptive practice. Ensuring our provision is inclusive requires a lot of talking, listening, upskilling and planning.”

“Funding is limited and as providers we need to be persistent, creative and committed to helping everyone to get outdoors.”
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“We were truly inspired and blown away with what we  experienced at this camp,” says Kate. “and I think it's really important that we leave the final words about this amazing weekend with one of our campers, Moritz:
"It was my best camp so far. Yesterday we left camp and I am so hoping to come back!!! All I can say is that it changed my life.I have never been in a camp with other spellers. Nonspeakers never get opportunities like this. We are left out and get ignored. Autistics like me (are) missing out because we are not seen. As a teenager I didn't go to camp at school as they didn't cater for me. My school is inclusive, but they still don't get me. My peers are other nonspeaking spellers not my classmates. All I am hoping is that we have another camp."

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