Camps

About Kookaburra Kids Camps

Kookaburra Kids Camps are free, and provide young people living in families impacted by mental illness with:

• An opportunity for connection
• Chat Group to learn about mental illness and to share
• Participate in a range of fun activities such as canoeing, archery, giant swings, go-karts and much more!

When/Where do Camps occur?

Camps occur throughout the calendar year, nationally. AKKF currently runs 4 separate programs which include wider community (CORE), Australian Defence Force (ADF- tri service), WA first Responders program and Queensland Police program. For more information on specific programs offerings/location, please refer to relevant service tab.

What do Young People get up to on Camp?

Camps generally occur on a Friday afternoon through to a Sunday afternoon but can occur during weekdays during school holidays.  Each camp will occur over two nights, regardless on which calendar day the program falls. Our Camps incorporate multiple recreational activities with a 45 minute “Chat Group” occurring each day of camp.  Camps are free of charge and include all activity, accommodation, travel (within program zone) and catering costs.

Young people will be placed in appropriate groups, with boys and girls accommodated in separate quarters.  A Ratio of 1:3 is maintained throughout all AKKF camps. Additionally, a clinician is available onsite or via telehealth to support our Young People and/or staff if required, throughout the duration of camp.

Prior to attending a AKKF camp, our program coordinators will obtain all dietary and other considerations from you, to ensure we can provide a safe and inclusive environment for your young people.

To download an information flyer, please click here.

Chat Group is important for Kookaburra Kids because:

• Children cope better if they have age-appropriate information about their family member’s mental illness.
• Children often feel ‘different’ from their peers – Chat Group is a unique opportunity for children to realise they are not so ‘different’, and it can provide an important sense of belonging for children.
• Children need to know it is okay to talk to someone other than their family about their feelings and know they are not ‘betraying’ their family member by doing so. Children need people other than their parents, who support and care about them.
• To reassure children and dispel any myths they may believe
• To identify coping skills that can increase the child’s resilience. Resilient children can cope more effectively with challenges, and overcome adversity.

Overall, Kookaburra Camps are designed to achieve:

• Education about mental illness
• Increased ability to cope effectively
• Increased resiliency
• Increased self-expression and communication
• Development of creativity
• Reduction in feelings of isolation
• Increase in self-esteem
• Increased support network
• Having lots of fun!