International Camp Applications now OPEN
A team of 16 people will attend the 39th annual camp in Switzerland this year as part of the Irish Team. The team will be a mix of disabled young people and volunteer helpers, a team nurse and the team leader. We will be flying to Geneva and travel by coach to the camp location. There we will be joined by teams from 25 different countries and the volunteer camp staff. We will be staying in a beautiful sports resort in Fiesch. The week will be fun filled with sports activities, arts and crafts, outings, tours, spiritual gatherings, discos and more. Not only will we sample Swiss cuisine but on international night we will also sample cuisine from all the other countries that attend. The week is always a blast and we will surely have a toblerone treats throughout the week.
Where is camp happening? Fiesch Switzerland
What are the dates? Sunday 11th - 18th August
Who can apply? Anyone aged 18 - 39 can apply. We will be accepting applications for young disabled people (guests) and volunteers to assist them. Applications are open to Order of Malta members and non members so please share with family and friends. i
Price: Helper 640 euro, Guest 760 euro (price includes, flights, accommodation, food, all activities, team t-shirt, and camp goodie bag) minimal spending money is needed outside of this.
Please note that this is an application form. Places will be limited and all applicants will be informed in regards to whether they have been successful or not when the team has been chosen. We aim to select a team that is made up of both experienced and first time applicants. As this is a youth camp, we are unfortunately unable to accept applications of anyone older than 39 (exceptions may be made from team nurse/doctor and priest). Similarly, applicants must be over 18 years old before the 11th August.
Terms to help you understand the form
Who is a guest? A person with a disability who would benefit from attending the camp. Someone who otherwise would be limited in their ability to travel without assistance.
Who is a helper? A helper is a person who is willing to spend a week on holiday assisting a guest and having fun meeting people from all over the world.
All helpers will be required to comply with the safeguarding policy of Order of Malta Ireland.
For more information please contact the team leader Mairead Ward at internationalcamp@orderofmalta.ie
Places can only be offered to guests where we can be sure that we are able to fulfil their care needs. Please make sure to inform us of care needs in the form below. We will do our best to ensure that we can fulfil them. Where possible, preference will be given to applicants who have attended none, or less camps than other applicants. Please note that forms of accommodation can vary greatly from camp to camp, and that you will likely be sharing a room with other team members and guests and helpers from other countries. On being offered a place please note that a deposit of 100 euro is due within two weeks of receive camp place offer.
Link to application form here
Here is a link to the camp official website if you would like to explore. https://maltacamp2024.ch/
International Camp for Young Disabled
This is a very important activity for the organisation as the Order of Malta is unique in giving an opportunity to young people with disabilities to partake in an international holiday with their peers. It also allows many of them to share with new friends in the spiritual activities on the camp, which have many years been a key element in cementing lasting friendships.
The International Camp is an exceptional experience for disabled young participants, a break from their everyday routine and a unique chance to interact and perform activities they can never usually enjoy. The international atmosphere of the camp enables young people to overcome every cultural and linguistic barrier, promotes friendships and removes the physical and architectural obstacles incurred by their different disabilities.
Delegations travel from countries around the world, including Ireland, to take part in the camp each year. Recent camps have been held in England, France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Austria. Guests receive 24-hour care from volunteer helpers of the same age often resulting in lifelong friendships.
