About Youth Camp
Youth camp is a residential youth development program, facilitated at one of our YMCA run campsites. Our campers are mentored by our YMCA leaders, while engaging in campsite activities, leadership and team building, experiential learning and having a really fun break from their day to day! Our leaders strive towards youth empowerment and place our campers at the centre of our week with them.
We support young people with diverse needs through individualised participant planning and by mapping out each unique camp journey for our campers. Please feel free to submit an enquiry if you’d like to discuss your young person’s support or access requirements.
Find our when we're holding our next Youth Camp.
Youth Camp values
- We provide a fun and safe environment for young people over the school holidays, while promoting social development and independence through adventure based learning activities.
- We celebrate every young person as a brilliantly unique individual with their own developmental pathway, goals and aspirations.
- We aim to ensure our young people feel connected to their community and help them to realise the impact they want to make, through mentoring from empowering YMCA leaders.
Age groups
While at camp, campers are divided into three age groups:
- juniors (8 – 11 yrs old)
- intermediates (12 – 14 yrs old)
- seniors (15-16 yrs old).
Values-driven programming
When our leaders are writing up the activities for the week, we put a lot of thought into every minute of our participants experience. Every activity, no matter how big or small, is a chance for the young people on our camp to learn something new or face a challenge (by choice) they can grow from. Therefore our camps are programmed in a way that gives the participants constant opportunities to learn and grow in a safe space.
Activities
- High adventure activities such as high ropes, giant swing, raft building and flying fox
- Other campsite activities such as canoeing, marine discovery, archery and kitchen garden
- Group activities focusing on personal development and team building
- Life skill development through providing young people with the opportunity to lead, explore and express themselves freely in a safe and caring environment
- Quiet time activities such as arts and crafts, self-reflection, meditation and walking out in nature
Enquire about Youth Camp
About YMCA Youth Services
Youth Camp is run by YMCA Youth Services. At YMCA Youth Services, we help young people to be heard and reach their potential in life. The Y acts as a platform to empower young people to have their voices heard. Youth Services helps young people to build up their skills, develop their support networks, find a job, and connect with their community. We do this through our four program areas: staff development, learning & leadership, social impact and Y Spaces. Our programs build strength and resilience. Find out more about who we are and what we do.
About YMCA Victoria
YMCA Youth Services is part of YMCA Victoria. At YMCA Victoria, we passionately believe in the power of inspired young people. We're a community not-for-profit organisation, meaning all we receive is put back into improving our programs and services, and to supporting local communities.
YMCA Victoria has been working with young people ever since we became a part of the Y community in 1853.
We believe in the power of inspired young people. Learn more about the other programs, products and services offered by YMCA Victoria.
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Safeguarding Children & Young People
Safeguarding Children & Young People:
The safety and wellbeing of young people is the YMCA’s highest priority. Our programs have been setup in a way that provides safe and supportive environment for young people to thrive.
Our Safeguarding Children and Young People (SCYP) Policy applies to every staff member and volunteer at the Y and has been endorsed by the National Council of YMCAs and applies to every YMCA in Australia, and includes the following key elements:
- All employees and volunteers must maintain a valid Working With Children Check.
- We do not appoint employees or volunteers until a satisfactory police check has been completed.
- Our staff and volunteers must comply with the YMCA Victoria Code of Conduct, which provides guidelines for appropriate behaviour when working with children and young people.
- All staff and volunteers must complete the Australian Childhood Foundation’s Safeguarding Children and Young People training course.
- Our staff and volunteers must comply with external mandatory reporting requirements, and with our Incident Management and Reporting Procedures.
- Each of our centres and services participates in annual auditing and monitoring processes, to ensure compliance with the SCYP Policy and procedure.
For more information about our Safeguarding Children and Young People commitment and what that means for the families that use our services you can download our brochure.