Changing lives for NZ Nonspeaking S2C community - a family camp that gives a sense of belonging

$6,760 donated

Given by 78 generous donors in around 3 months

Let's fund a family camp for the NZ Spelling to Communicate Community of nonspeakers- awesome young people who deserve not to miss out.

Pirongia, Waikato

Spelling to Communicate (S2C) is a small nonspeaking community who communicate by pointing to letters on a board or keyboard to spell out words.

In 2025, with funding from Sport New Zealand we were able to provide the first ever family camp for the New Zealand S2C community. The camp had a significant impact on the young people and their families, and we really want to give them the opportunity to have a family camp in 2026.

The camp for many was life-changing. Moritz a nonspeaking participant told us -

"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."

A parent explains - "for us parents: we work so hard but day after day we see our kids not having all the opportunities we had hoped they would have had and honestly we live in a state of perpetual parental guilt and sometimes even mourning for the life we wish our kids could have - a weekend like this: it heals the soul, for all of us, for the family. No judgement, no people staring, no laughing and point at him stimming, no one saying he's weird - he just gets to be - to feel he belongs to something."

Can you help?

First Step Outdoors' involvement (page creator)

One of the S2C mums Alison, works for First Step Outdoors. It was her vision that turned the dream of a camp into reality. We believe this awesome community deserve another camp and the opportunity to experience the outdoors - just like anyone else.

Use of funds

Zip lining, rock climbing, bush walking and a campfire; art & music and spelling sessions where the campers can hang out together. This all requires specialist knowledge & input from experienced S2C practitioners, outdoor instructors and support persons.