Jabiru is modelled after Avanti in the United States; Avanti was developed by Pat and Julia Wilbarger and has been held for approximately the last 40 years. Therapeutic support during Jabiru allows each child to participate in all their occupational roles and succeed to the “top” of their individual ability level. The intensive staff to participant ratio allows for each child to have an individualized treatment program that maximizes each child’s experience.
2026 will mark Jabiru’s seventeenth year. As a community, we adapt to the ever present curve balls that weather, pandemics, and a changing world present. We are resilient, and we can't wait to see what 2026 brings!
Jabiru’s charter year was a day program for 12 children. In 2010, we programmed for 48 children (aged 4-12) in both day and overnight experiences, and in 2011, we programmed for 96 children, and we have remained between 100-125 participants since that time. The participants will have a variety of “diagnoses” but the common denominator for all the children will be that of challenges with sensory processing. Most of the children will be verbal and have only a mild intellectual disability, if any intellectual disability at all. A few participants with more intensive needs will be part of the Jabiru experience as well. However, the intensive staffing patterns allow us to meld these higher needs participants into an integrated group of peers.
In 2017, we added Jabiru 2.0, an “apprenticeship” program for participants who have aged out of Camp Jabiru. Jabiru 2.0 participants take on the challenge of adolescent occupational roles within the environment, serving as support while still receiving the benefit of the therapeutic milieu. Jabiru 2.0 participants are encouraged, through group processes and individual support, to develop greater capacities for self-reflection, personal achievement, and community participation.
As occupational therapists, we are very aware that the discrete existence of “sensory processing disorders” has yet to be empirically proven. However, many other diagnoses include disruptions in sensory processing as a defined characteristic. Jabiru does not aim to be a “sensory processing” program for children. Instead, it is an incredible tapestry of all the tools we wield as occupational therapists. It is an amazing opportunity to practice both the art and science of our profession in the most holistic manner imaginable. We are very attuned to the occupational roles of children and the importance of relational connection as key to the impact of all the other tools and knowledge we bring.
Jabiru is a uniquely rich occupational therapy environment in that it provides the possibility for observing the child in all their occupational roles across a wider variety of experiences. The child at Jabiru is a learner, a player, a friend, and a member of a “family” or a group. By far, the most important of these roles at Jabiru is that of friend. For the most part, these are children who are not successful socially in their typical daily life. It will be the family’s most sincere desire that their child have a friend and be a friend during the week of Jabiru.
Jabiru also provides the opportunity to observe the child through many of the activities and transitions that accompany a typical “day in the life” of the child as a family member. Being a first-hand witness and support to behaviours around routines such as mealtimes, dressing, toileting, and sleeping and waking (if an overnight participant) allows us to offer much more informed support for the families around these same events at home and school.
In general, participants are between 4 & 12 years of age. They are placed into groups of 6-10 participants, dependent upon age and ability, and they are at Jabiru anywhere from 4 hours per day to overnight for 5 days, dependent upon age. Participants have individual differences in sensory processing as a primary therapeutic concern.
Typical activities include canoeing, rock climbing, giant swing, crafts, abseiling, caving, games, high and low ropes courses, and a variety of cooperative activities. Jabiru strives to create a "just right" balance between individual achievement and group interdependence.
Staffing is intensive. There are 2 OTs per group, 2-5 OT students, a practicum OT (an OT in a “learning” role) and a YMCA outdoor education staff member per group.
OT STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Anything assigned to you by your group leaders (so flexibility and the willingness to “go with the flow” are essential)
Implementation of therapeutic techniques
Leading games and activities as requested by your group leaders
1:1 intervention with a child
At least one shift of sleeping overnight in a children’s cabin (OT students must stay overnight at Jabiru)
At least one shift of dining with an overnight group at dinner and/or breakfast
Set up and clean up of the environment each day
Contribution to the daily newsletter (several students will need to bring laptop computers to Jabiru – it is a very safe environment for your personal belongings)
Photographic record of each camper’s experience (each student must have a digital camera for use at Jabiru; phones are acceptable as cameras but should otherwise not be in personal use when students are with their groups)
BENEFITS TO THE OT STUDENT:
Very hands on experience
Immersion experience into “what is a sensory processing challenge?” and “how do disruptions in sensory processing affect daily life?”
Integrated ideological approaches toward meaningful human occupation
Implementation of a full gamut of integrated occupational therapy tools and strategies from an eclectic base, so that individualization of therapeutic intervention per child can occur
Access to some of the brightest clinicians in Australia for problem-solving and clinical reasoning
For problem-solving and clinical reasoning, access to expert clinicians from Australia and North America
An opportunity to learn a lot about yourself and begin your own journey of reflective practice
A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!
OT Student Dates and Logistics
Staff Orientation Day Date: April 12, 2026 Location: Camp Yarramundi Time: 7:45 AM Meals: Lunch and dinner included with fee Lodging: Included with fee
Jabiru Week Date: April 13-17, 2026 (Please plan to stay until 5 PM on April 17th.) Location: Camp Yarramundi Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner included with fee Lodging: Included with fee
OT Student Application
Applications will be taken until positions are full. Payment of $200 (plus payment for additional options if selectd including gluten-free diet and extra night stay at Jabiru on 11th April) is required at the time of application, and will be refunded if a space is not available for you. If you have any questions about the application process, please email colleen@sensorygym.com.au.
Before applying, please read through the OT student expectations. By submitting your application you are agreeing to comply with these expectations. You will need to upload the following when you submit your application:
Working With Children Check
Recent photo of yourself that will be shared with campers and group leaders
