Exon. - Exeter College - University of Oxford

FUNDRAISING
ExVac 2009: We Make a Difference
Student volunteers continue the tradition of Exeter College Vacation Project
(ExVac), giving groups of youngsters the best time they could imagine.
by Jennifer Taylor, ExVac President 2009–10 (2007, Physiological Sciences)
Student volunteers
each spend a week
with a group of
16 children.
“We are assured
that our efforts
resonate beyond
our sight.”
t has been a year of challenges and changes
I for everyone involved in ExVac. But throughout
it, our aim has remained the same: to give
children experiences that might otherwise be out
of reach. As ExVac’s 30th anniversary approaches,
the Executive Committee has altered the structure
of the charity to ensure greater continuity and
efficiency, and to assure ExVac’s future. However,
these changes would be futile without the
continuing support of Old Members, Parents and
Friends of the College who give generously to the
charity year upon year. We extend our thanks
to you all.
There have been other changes: this year ExVac
spread its wings and took participants to the
Carroty Wood Outdoor Activity Centre in
Tonbridge for the first time. Children on both
holidays enjoyed a fun-filled week of activities,
encompassing visits to historical sites such as
Hever Castle, where the water maze was the pick
of the day, and the excitement of Chessington
World of Adventures and Legoland. A pottery
workshop provided a more peaceful occupation
and the chance to craft a personal memento of
the trip.
The new location enabled us to conduct some
activities on site, including climbing, an assault
course and swimming. A soft play area aptly
named ‘Wear ‘Em Out’ provided a welcome
respite for the leaders! Several “near misses” with
a parrot performer during lunchtime at London
Zoo, and a last night celebration, with party food,
music and games, topped off the week.
The children found some of these activities and
experiences completely novel. It is extremely
gratifying when an otherwise shy child changes
completely in front of your eyes, having
discovered that they are a talented artist or a
champion climber. We quickly learned that each
child is unique; even simple conversations
revealed unknown quirks and characteristics that
became our most enduring memories.
I had thought that it would be simple to change
a child’s behaviour and attitude in the course of
a week, but after two years with ExVac I realise
how naïve I was! The holidays are primarily to
provide time away from whatever problems,
social or financial, exist in the children’s home
lives; these problems are often complex and
require considerable support from the local
authorities. Fortunately we can contribute to this:
information we gather can be used by Social
Services to enable more effective assistance for
the child and his or her family. Although we may
not see great changes within a week, we are
assured that our efforts resonate beyond our sight.
Simon Brown, Service Manager at Witney’s
Early Years & Family Support Centre epitomised
why we do it: “It makes a difference to these
children’s lives.”
Thank you – your donations make the work
of ExVac possible.
History of ExVac
Exeter College Vacation Project (ExVac) is a
charity offering two, week-long holidays for children
from Oxford who live in difficult social or financial
circumstances.
Set up as a society of Oxford University in
1982, ExVac is run by students from Exeter College
and endorsed by Oxfordshire Social Services
Department. The free holidays are completely
reliant on donations.
A group of 16 children aged 7-11 with eight
student leaders go each week. This 2:1 ratio allows
the children to enjoy new experiences safely, to learn
to interact with new friends and to cope away from
home.
ExVac’s costs this year totalled £16,000,
approximately £500 per child. This is a 30%
increase on the cost in 2008.
Not only are ExVac very grateful for monetary
donations, but non-monetary donations from
companies are also welcome, which can be used
during the holidays, or for fundraising events such
as prizes for a raffle.
26 EXON Autumn 2009 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni