Sometimes family situations can be tough.

Our mission is to immerse our campers in a holiday experience of fun-filled activities, positive development and confidence building, all while making new friends.

The GLOW Kids Camp is run during the school holidays each term, with a theme suitable to the current season.

Experiences in earth, nature and aquatic-based activities will encourage children to explore, connect, engage and, of course, get a little dirty!

Camp activities include:

• Nature and Aquatic Play
• Mindfulness breathing
• Creating “Calm Jars”
• Focus Plans (self-regulation charts)
• Exploring Victor Harbor
• Arts and Crafts
• BMX riding
• Dance Party
• Sports

Our volunteers

The camps are facilitated by a dedicated team of volunteer Camp Directors and leaders, with more than 25 years and hundreds of camps experience between them.

Many of our volunteers are teachers, psychologists and social workers, or university students studying in these fields.

The Open Camps Camping Program develops the leadership and organisational skills of our enthusiastic team of volunteers and provides an opportunity for these young people to test their skills in the field. Leaders who remain involved in the program further their education by participating in First Aid, Mandatory Notification and other professional development opportunities.

No specific background or training is required to volunteer on the program; however, all leaders are subject to a Working with Children Clearance.

The GLOW Kids Camp aims to provide a respite opportunity to both the children and their families from challenging life circumstances. Our selection criteria are deliberately broad, aiming to provide an opportunity to as many children as possible.

We encourage community service organisations and schools to identify families for whom they believe respite would be beneficial, and children who they feel would benefit from a new experience in a safe and supportive environment.

Who is eligible?

Children aged between 6 and 10 years who are in need of respite due to their family, social or financial situation. All are welcome, with children on our camps coming from a variety of circumstances.

Some of the children on our camps may have experienced:

• Social or financial disadvantage
• Abuse and neglect
• Family disruption and breakdown
• Mental health or behavioural challenges
• A rural, migrant or refugee background

All of our volunteers are well trained to support children with a wide range of special needs; however, we request that agencies carefully consider their referrals to our service. Children with extremely violent or disruptive behaviours may inhibit our ability to provide a successful respite experience to other participants.

Due to the high demand for our services, a maximum of 3 referrals will be accepted from each school or agency. 

How much does the camp cost?

Our program is subsidised by our membership, public appeals and sponsorship arrangements.

However, to help meet our costs, we ask that each agency pays a nominal $50 fee per child.

This is covered by the school, organisation or agency that is referring the child to our program. Please confirm payment arrangements with your referring agency prior to camp. This payment is an administration payment and is paid even if the child does not attend camp. Openlight will refund this administration fee if a camp placement is not offered.

Click here to fill out the Kids Camp referral form.

Do you have a passion for supporting children from diverse experiences to explore, connect and engage?

Or maybe you are working or studying in the fields of Education, Social Work or Psychology?

Volunteering your time and skills to join our Open Camps Camping Program as a Camp Director or leader can further develop your leadership and organisational skills and provide a range of opportunities for you to test these skills in the field. Leaders who remain involved in the program further their education by participating in First Aid, Mandatory Notification and other professional development opportunities.

No specific background or training is required to volunteer on the program; however, all leaders are subject to a Working with Children Clearance.

Click here to fill out the volunteer expression of interest form.

Open Camps run Kids Camps designed to help disadvantaged and vulnerable children from a wide range of high-risk situations. These camps help children to develop a variety of skills including self-regulation, building self-esteem, fostering positive relationships and developing a positive attitude to self and community. We reach many children from Adelaide and regional South Australia, and our broad focus means we can accept children who may otherwise not be eligible for this type of program.

From all over South Australia, many children have experienced trauma or hardship as a result of their circumstances. These hardships can have social, emotional, behavioural, and financial impacts on the people involved. The GLOW Kids Camp aims to provide a respite opportunity to both the children and their families.

Data shows 15 per cent of SA families (67,000) are involved with child protection systems*.  Open Camps is committed to providing opportunities for local children in our community to have a positive life experience at one of our Kids Camps. With the support of community groups and public donations, we have been able to provide a safe and fun camp experience for over 80 years to South Australia’s most disadvantaged children.

Together with the highly successful camping program, Open Camps offers a variety of targeted activities to help local youth across South Australia. Open Camps is committed to implementing new projects along with other initiatives that make a real difference.

To continue to be a positive influence in the lives of these children, we need your help.

To ensure our camps are accessible and free of cost to the attendees, we rely on donations. By donating to Open Camps your donation will immediately help us create another opportunity for a child in need to secure a place in one of our programs.

To donate and start a child’s once in a lifetime adventure, click here.

*Source: The Advertiser, March 15, 2019