Variety QLD Motor Mouth Camp – a life-changing weekend for kids who use AAC

The very first Variety Queensland Motor Mouth Camp was held on the Gold Coast from 7–9 November 2025. We welcomed 11 families from across the state, along with 18 volunteers – including speech pathologists – for a weekend dedicated to kids who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

AAC includes any form of communication other than speech, used to support or replace spoken communication.

With a fun “Shipwrecked” theme steering the adventure, the Motor Mouth Camp delivered three big days of activities that built confidence, sparked new friendships, and opened up fresh ways to communicate.

Sessions were designed with each child in mind, giving them the chance to learn from speech experts in a relaxed, playful setting. A highlight of the camp is the way Variety is able to support siblings of kids who use AAC, while also giving parents time and space to connect with one another.

The weekend also brought together a group of AAC mentors — adults who use AAC and generously shared their lived experience. Their presence offered kids a powerful glimpse of what communication can look like as they grow, helping them feel encouraged and excited about what’s ahead.

As one mum put it, the result was “a very happy boy who has found his tribe”.

Jenn Harley, Variety QLD’s Grants & Programs Manager, shares, “The camp was pure magic. Watching our campers laugh and play, seeing siblings and families light up with joy, and feeling the energy from our incredible volunteers is something I will never forget.

“The speech therapists were phenomenal. Their care and expertise meant the world to families who often feel alone on this journey. The impact of this weekend really cannot be measured; it was life-changing.”

Watch our video all about the 2025 Variety Queensland Motor Mouth Camp: