Young disadvantaged students from around Victoria are getting what a lot of families and kids take for granted – a well-earned break these summer holidays.
Doxa’s award-winning Malmsbury Camp is a residential facility which offers positive life experiences to young people from challenging life circumstances through team-building and challenge-by-choice activities.
The young people attending the summer camp program will come from a variety of challenging backgrounds such as low socio-economic families, single parent families and refugee or migrant families.
The aim of the summer camp is to give these young people some fun, encourage social cohesion and confidence and teach them about the environment and sustainability.
There are two camps this January, 2019:
· Malmsbury Summer Camp 1- 7th-11th Jan
· Malmsbury Summer Camp 2 – 14th-18th Jan
Jess Case, Doxa Malmsbury Camp Manager, says: “The children have the time of their life, make new friends, challenge themselves, learn new skills and have fun. It’s really heart-warming to see the impact that attending camp and experiencing the great outdoors can have on these young lives.”
The camp theme this summer is Aussie Adventures, with a focus on sustainability and awareness of our beautiful country. Activities will include:
· Australian Animal Display
· Summer Solstice Fair
· Enviro and Bush Camp activities
· High ropes course
· Swimming
The camps are run by qualified outdoor education instructors alongside returning and new volunteers and Junior Camp Assistants.
This year, some former Doxa program participants have returned as Junior Camp Assistants on Summer Camp, wanting to help others the same way they were helped themselves.
The cost of the camp is heavily subsidised and places are also offered for free via Doxa’s Campership Fund to students who can’t otherwise attend.
The Doxa Malmsbury Camp is accredited by the Australian Camps Association and Australian Tourism Accreditation Program and was the recipient of the Minister’s Award in the Government’s Community, Sport & Recreation Awards 2015.
The Malmsbury Camp is part of Doxa’s portfolio, a series of programs from grade 5 to university that dovetail together and support educational attainment while also offering practical skills and experience to assist in a young person’s journey towards meaningful employment.