IMAGINE you are no longer living with your parents, you don’t have a bed to call your own, you’re not sure who you can trust or turn to for help. This is a reality for hundreds of children across the country; however, there is an organisation that aims to spark hope and joy into their lives. Southern Cross Kids’ Camps interrupts the cycle of abuse and neglect in primary aged kids from hard places by delivering memorable and enjoyable experiences for all. The High Country edition of the camp caters for a variety of children coming from a broad range of backgrounds, some of who are currently in stable living situations but may have experienced some form of trauma in the past. Many children attending the camps live in foster care and often move from home to home. A significant number have endured difficult experiences and struggle with multiple issues. Almost all have counsellors or social workers. Camp Director Holly Cameron said last year’s camp was a massive success and is excited to run next year’s in April. “During [last year’s] camp, we gave them a blank canvas and some paints and we got the participants to paint what hope means to them,” Mrs Cameron said. “Some of them were just super powerful. “One picture had a dark background with yellow in the middle. “The kid described it saying, ‘there is always hope shining in the darkness even at the worst times’." As Christmas approaches, Mrs Cameron said the camp is always looking for donations which are tax-deductable, especially as the April camp approaches. “The camp runs on fundraising and our volunteer base,” she said. “We rely on donations to run the camp.” The donations go directly to improving the experience for the children and Mrs Cameron appealed to people to donate over the Christmas period. “Just $30 can buy a kid a memory album of photos of camp,” she said. “We throw a birthday party one day of camp and $50 goes towards a birthday present. “Each $100 covers a day at camp for one child and $500 pays for the whole week for a participant. “Give the gift of hope this Christmas.” You can make a tax-deductible donation by heading to our website sckc.org.au/donate/high-country-camp/ or using the QR code.
