Our Programs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will I (or my Camper) be well looked after?

Q: How do I Participate in People Outdoors Camps?

Q: What do I need to put in my NDIS Plan to be able to attend a camp with People Outdoors?

Q: Can I attend a camp if it is not in my NDIS Plan?

Q: What is the cost of the camps and what does it include?

Q: Are there out of pocket costs?

Q: What support levels do you cater for on camps?

Q: Can I bring my own carer to support me on camp?

Q: Where are the camps held?

Q: What activities do you run on camps?

Q: What levels of experience do the People Outdoors staff have?

Q: Will I (or my Camper) be well looked after?

A: Yes.

People Outdoors complies with the Victorian Child Safety Standards.

All camps are at fully accredited camp sites.

Thourough checks are completed prior to staff and volunteers beginning their employment with People Outdoors. All are required to have a current Working With Children Check and a NDIS Safety Screening Check (which includes a Police Check and Disability Support Worker Exclusion Scheme Check) which is updated every 5 years.

View our Child Protection Policy here.

Any concerns, please contact the office on 03 9863 6824.

Q: How do I participate in People Outdoors Camps?

A: To participate in People Outdoors NDIS programs, you must have a current NDIS Plan OR you will be required to pay the full fee for service.

Within your Plan you will need to ensure you or your NDIS Planner includes the following in your Plan:

• camps or
• community and social participation or
• group based community, social recreational activities

You will need to ensure that your Plan has enough funds allocated to cover the costs of your participation on our programs.

A breakdown of each program cost can be found below under ‘What is the cost of the camps/programs and what does it include?’.

Please be advised that costing will change depending on the level of support the participant requires. 

Q: What do I need to put in my NDIS Plan to be able to attend a camp with People Outdoors?

A: To get ready for the NDIS and your first Plan, start thinking about your immediate support needs and what your current and future goals might be.

If you have not yet looked into your first Plan, please click here for more information from the NDIS website.

Community and social participation or group based community, social recreational activities need to be included into your Plan to participate on People Outdoors Programs.

The NDIS focuses on participant’s goals, please click here for a goal sheet template tailored around People Outdoors programs.

Q: Can I attend a camp if it is not in my NDIS Plan?

A: Yes, if there is enough money allocated in the core support categories of your NDIS Plan, that would cover the cost of participation in People Outdoors program.

If you are able to afford the entire costs of attending camp you can also pay full fee for service (conditions apply).

Q: What is the cost of the camps and what does it include?

A: The cost of People Outdoors programs vary from program to program.

Program costs include:

• Support Costs – these are covered through the NDIS package. The NDIS only cover the cost of the Disability Support Workers.
• Community, Social and Recreational Activities – These costs cover accommodation, meals and activities.

**Please note: The NDIS regularly review their pricing which then will have a flow on to People Outdoors pricing. Please contact the office on 03 9863 6824 for further information.**

Please contact us for upcoming programs and quotes.  An overview of costings can be viewed here.

Q: Are there out of pocket costs?

A: This depends on your funding...People Outdoors can deduct the food and accommodation costs from the participant’s Community, Social and Recreational Activities line item. If there is insufficient funding available in the participant’s Core Supports under Community, Social and Recreational Activities these costs would need to be paid separately as an out of pocket expense.

Q: What support levels do you cater for on camps?

A: Currently we offer the following support ratios:

• 2:1
• 1:1
• 1:2
• 1:3 + (staff:participant)

Please click here to see our support ratios explained.

Q: Can I bring my own carer to support me on camp?

A: Yes, however your support worker must be employed with People Outdoors.

People Outdoors have a number of quality and safe guard policies including: NDIS Safety Check, Working with Children Check, training requirements, etc. These are required prior to any staff member (paid or volunteer) supporting a Camper on program.

We have a ‘pool’ of carers (Disability Support Workers and trained Volunteers) that support our campers on programs. If you wish to have your own support worker join you on camp, they will need to be employed by People Outdoors and complete our induction and training prior to attending camp with you.

Please contact the office if you have any queries on 03 9863 6824.

Q: Where are the camps held?

A: Our camps are held within 2-3 hours drive from Melbourne or Ballarat. We're excited that in 2024 we'll be bringing our programs to New South Wales and Queensland.

We only use campsites that are Members of the Australian Camps Association that are accredited by the Quality Tourism Framework. We use a number of campsites around Victoria which have varying facilities and activities.

Q: What activities do you run on camps?

A: Activities on our camp programs will vary depending on what campsite/location you will be staying at.

We are all about ADVENTURE so you will find yourself outdoors doing activities such as canoeing, flying fox, giant swing, ropes courses, swimming, bush walking, archery, yabbying and much more. If you are more the indoor type there will also be plenty for you to do such as arts and crafts, discos, movie nights and cooking. You may also visit local attractions, festivals and markets.

View our programs explained or check out this video.

Q: What levels of experience do the People Outdoors staff have?

A:
Disability Support Workers

Our programs are run by an amazing group of Disability Support Workers.

All Disability Support Workers have various qualifications but must hold a minimum Certificate III in Disability or an equivalent qualification.

All Disability Support Workers have a current Level 2 in First Aid and CPR and a minimum of 6 months experience (paid employment) working with people living with disability.

NDIS Programs are predominantly staffed by Disability Support Workers with support of Volunteers.

Volunteers

Our programs are supported by a wonderful group of Volunteers.

Our Volunteers come from all different walks of life – students, full time employees, retirees, you name it!

They are people who love to have fun, have a sense of adventure and want to give back to the community.

Our Volunteers do not need any formal qualifications as they are on site to provide general support to the program. Volunteers still undergo thorough checks prior to starting their time with People Outdoors.

All Volunteers have current NDIS Safety Check and Working with Children Checks.

Interested in volunteering? Find out more here.

Do you have more questions? Please contact our office and speak to one of our friendly staff members…. Happy Camping!!

Support the work of People Outdoors in providing outdoor experiences for people living with disability.