News

Camp Kallaroo, Gold Coast | 30 June – 4 July 2025

July 29, 2025

Image shows six smiling campers and staff sitting at an outdoor picnic table, enjoying lunch together on the final day of the Guide Dogs Mobility Camp. A red-checked tablecloth holds soft drinks, sandwiches, and snacks.

A group of eager young campers living with low vision or blindness took part in an unforgettable five-day Mobility Camp on the Gold Coast, where fun, friendship, and independence took centre stage.

Hosted by Guide Dogs Queensland, the June/July School Holiday Mobility Camp welcomed students from across the state to Camp Kallaroo. The camp offered a supportive and engaging environment for participants to build essential orientation and mobility skills while enjoying a packed schedule of hands-on learning and memorable experiences.

The camp kicked off on Monday with a warm welcome and orientation to Camp Kallaroo, including introductions, safety briefings, and icebreaker games to help students get to know each other. After settling in, participants dived into their first occupational therapy activity – cooking – building practical life skills in the kitchen with support from the Guide Dogs Queensland OT team.

On Tuesday, the camp took a more adventurous turn. The day began with a Guide Dog Mobility Team session, followed by a travel skills exercise to Stockland Burleigh Heads. Here, students applied their newly developed skills in a real-world setting, completing a challenge inside Woolworths to test their independence and planning. The day wrapped up with a campfire under the stars – an opportunity to bond and reflect.

Wednesday featured an adrenaline-pumping experience at iFly Indoor Skydiving, where campers faced their fears, challenged themselves, and celebrated personal growth. Thursday offered a full day out at Surfers Paradise, including travel training and a group lunch, capped off with a team debrief to reflect on their progress.

Image shows four young participants at iFly Gold Coast, smiling in blue flight suits and orange helmets during a Guide Dogs Queensland Mobility Camp. They stand in front of a colorful wing backdrop, giving thumbs-up after indoor skydiving.

The grand finale took place at Dreamworld on Friday, where participants had the chance to celebrate the week’s achievements with a thrilling day of rides and adventure. One Orientation and Mobility Specialist shared,

“The students rated Dreamworld 100/10! The express passes helped us stay together, and the staff were so patient and welcoming. It was an incredible experience from start to finish.”

Campers left with tiger-ear headbands, goodie bags, and huge smiles

Image shows three Mobility Camp participants with Guide Dogs backpacks walking toward the Tiger Island entrance at a theme park, accompanied by a support worker. Two use white canes, and all are enjoying the sunny day.

After a week of learning and laughter, students said their goodbyes, packed lunches in hand, and departed for the airport – more confident, capable, and connected than when they arrived.

Throughout the week, each activity was carefully designed to support individual program plans (IPPs), enabling every student to work toward personal mobility goals in a fun and practical setting.

Guide Dogs Queensland’s Mobility Camps are a core part of their commitment to empowering young people with low vision or blindness – helping them explore their potential, push boundaries, and lead independent lives.