CYC and Eden have partnered together to meet the needs of the local communities. Children from families that are in need can attend two annual camps; a children’s camp and a youth camp.
Launching from the success of the inaugural camp in 2016, the ongoing need for support through these camps has been identified. Provision of camp activities and excursions promotes the teaching and practice of practical life skills and socials skills to vulnerable children and youth. These programs provide opportunities for new experiences, that otherwise would note have been possible within the family unit.
Since its inception, the camps have grown exponentially, reaching families from the Perth Metropolitan area and expanding to provide support to families from rural areas in Western Australia. Recent camps have seen the programs have a combined attendance of 500 participants from the Rockingham, Kwinana, Mandurah, Cockburn and Fremantle area , as well as many participants travelling from regional towns.
Who runs the camps?
The children and youth camps are run by a camp director, leading a team of experienced volunteers who are passionate about investing their time and expertise in participating families. Many volunteers have a range of qualifications, and every volunteer receives training, along with holding the appropriate safety checks. Volunteers are involved with the camps from the initial planning phase through to engaging with the children and youth during their time at camp.
When are the camps run?
As school holidays have been identified as a highly stressful time for vulnerable young people, the camps are run twice a year in the school holidays. The annual summer children’s camp is run in January and the annual winter youth camp is run in July.
Benefits of the camps
The camps offer an opportunity for each participate to experience healthy relationships and build social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. The camps also assist in reducing antisocial behaviour during the school holiday period, providing a positive and empowering environment with necessary additional support youth and children may need before recommencing the school term.
The specific objectives of the programs are to:
- Build healthy relationships with peers and adults.
- Learn healthy emotional expression and regulations.
- Learn assertion and conflict resolution skills.
- Build teamwork skills.
- Learn to identify internal and external strengths.
- Learn practical skills (cooking, fine/gross motor skills etc.).
- Learn the importance of goal setting and perseverance.
- Build problem solving skills.
- Build a positive sense of self-worth, resilience and general well-being
- Build hope for a positive future.
- Combat negative protective behaviours whilst promoting positive ones
How to attend a camp?
The children and their families that attend these programs are referred via a range of sources, including chaplains, community centres, recreation centres, schools, councillors, churches and the Department of Child Protection.
If you are interested in referring someone to the camps please use the contact details below.
How are the camps funded?
The camps that are run by Eden and held at CYC. Funding for these camps are heavily reliant upon the support from the local community as well a grant provisions. However, we are seeking a more sustainable ongoing funding model for these programs.
The cost per camp participant is $160, which includes their accommodation, meals and activities.
We are seeking organisations and individuals who are willing to commit to sponsoring the children and youth that attend the camps for a period of one year. If you are interested in supporting the participates, please use the contact details below.
Other programs
Our aim is to collaborate with identified schools and community organisations with the provision of our annual camps as part of a broader suite of programs targeting supporting primary and secondary aged children, youth and their families.
In addition to the camps, we are also providing a range of programs and events to build and maintain relationships with the families, and continue to promote positive change within families in a more holistic approach.
Our current programs include:
- Weekly outings to free attractions (e.g. beach, river, dam, parks).
- An annual community Christmas/New Year’s event that provides free activities, a special lunch and gifts for the attending children.
- A one-day holiday program during the end of term 1 and 3 school holidays which includes activities, meals and an opportunity to build on social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills.
- The Sisterhood: A women’s group that meets every 6-8 weeks for a programmed outing to provide a support network and an opportunity to relax and recharge.
- Food hampers and bill relief for struggling families identified by our programs.
If you have any questions or would like more information contact Carly Allen, Camp Administration and Coordinator on 0422 711 929.