Jackston
Jackston is 10 years old and lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In 2026, he attended his first Summer Camp – the fully accessible, joy‑filled week kids call their “best week ever.”
His favourite camp activity is swimming, closely followed by pranking, with his signature move involving a surprise water‑pistol attack on Camp Manager, Laura. But more importantly, Summer Camp showed him something powerful: that he’s not alone. That there are other kids just like him – kids just being kids, who happen to live with a neuromuscular condition.
“When I come to camp, I feel safe, welcomed and loved,” Jackston says. And when camp ends, what does he miss the most? “Everything,” he says.
Paityn
Meet Paityn, Summer Camp Carer. Paityn first came to Summer Camp in December 2023 as an Occupational Therapy student on placement. She’s been back to a camp or retreat nine times since.
Paityn believes Summer Camp gives kids something they don’t always get elsewhere. Time with other kids their age. Shared experiences. Real friendships.
“I think camp’s really important for these kids,” she says. “Just to be able to spend time with other kids their age or in similar situations... And even though camp only happens a few times a year, it doesn’t feel like it ends when the week’s over. It sticks with the kids.”
Paityn supports the community beyond camp too. She’s a keen fundraiser, taking part in Big Red Roll + Stroll last year and the Cole Classic two years in a row. She’s always looking for ways to raise funds so more kids can experience camp – and she’s got a few fundraising tips she’s ready to share.
Scott
Scott grew up with MDNSW, attending Summer Camp year after year. Camp was where he found belonging. It was a place to build confidence, form friendships and gain independence in an environment where he never had to explain himself.
Those experiences didn’t stay at camp. They shaped how Scott shows up in the world.
Today, Scott is part of our young adult community, heading into the next phase of his life with the confidence, resilience and connection that camp helped build. He carries those early experiences with him – proof that when young people are given the right support at the right time, the impact lasts well beyond a single week.
