Visit Australian Camps Association | follow us
Visit Australian Camps Association | follow us
News
Camps - More than Canoeing or Ropes Courses
People Outdoors is a branch of the Australian Camps Association (ACA) that was set up some thirty years ago to provide outdoor focused but comfortable camp experiences for people with disabilities. Over that time we have delivered hundreds of fantastic camp programs for thousands of people across Victoria.
Nowadays we all know that being outside is good for us, as is being active – so the benefits of combining both in a well-resourced and supported camp setting are doubly valuable. Camps are also excellent at helping people to challenge themselves and to try things that they wouldn’t normally do – and at encouraging campers to bring these new found skills and confidence back to everyday life.
All People Outdoors camps take place at fully accredited ACA member venues, the staff of which are experts in running activities such as canoeing ropes courses, bush exploration, cycling, etc. This allows the People Outdoors team to focus entirely on providing whatever support and encouragement each individual camper may need so that they can participate in these activities to the best of their abilities.
But camps are about more than canoeing or ropes courses. People Outdoors camps are carefully planned to foster friendships and social connection, not just with others who may have a disability but with the broader community at camp. As one parent says:
“My daughter loves the volunteers at People Outdoors, she finds peer interaction difficult but having the volunteers of all ages gives her the opportunity to feel part of a friendship group. We love turning up at drop off and hearing lots of different people calling her name and making her feel so welcome. Thank you People Outdoors.”
People Outdoors programs are age specific (children, teens and adults) and include overnight, weekend and school holiday camps, including our Adventure for All program open to everyone, whether they have a disability or not.
At the end of the day, camp is about having fun with friends old and new, having a go and enjoying the great outdoors. People Outdoors is a registered NDIS service provider but if you don’t have an NDIS Plan don’t worry – you are still very welcome to join in with People Outdoors camps.
...We have identified an opportunity to improve the level of care to all campers attending our People Outdoors camps by adding an extra Active Night Disability Support Worker for all camps...
Join us at Gold Coast Recreation Camp, Palm Beach for this weekend camp (2 nights).
This camp is for Kids & Teens (6-17yrs) living with disability. Please note this campers will need to make their own way to the venue.
Some of the activities you might participate in are beach games, archery, low ropes and more!
New to People Outdoors camps? Please complete the referral form so we can begin the intake process (note: completion of the intake process is required prior to attending any camp).
ENQUIRE (New Camper) ENQUIRE (Returning Camper)Join us at YMCA Lady Northcote Discovery Camp for this four-day camp (3 nights) during the school holidays.
This camp is for Adults (18yrs+) living with disability. Please note this camp will depart from our Melbourne departure point in Thornbury.
Some of the activities you might participate in are canoeing, archery, low ropes, campfire cooking and more!
New to People Outdoors camps? Please complete the referral form so we can begin the intake process (note: completion of the intake process is required prior to attending any camp).
ENQUIRE (New Camper) ENQUIRE (Returning Camper)Join us at Silverband Lodge for this weekend camp (2 nights).
This camp is for Kids and Teens (6-17yrs) living with disability. Please note this camp will depart from our Melbourne departure point in Thornbury.
Some of the activities you might participate in are canoeing, archery, low ropes, campfire cooking and more!
New to People Outdoors camps? Please complete the referral form so we can begin the intake process (note: completion of the intake process is required prior to attending any camp).
ENQUIRE (New Camper) ENQUIRE (Returning Camper)