Family Camp 2010

Family Camp 2010

12th March 2010

Interchange Outer East hosted the largest family camp in the agency’s history at Stratford in Victoria on the recent labour day long weekend March 5^th-8^th 2010.

Two hundred and thirty people escaped the Melbourne storms and attended the 19^th annual family camp for families, volunteers and staff of Interchange Outer East.

Karina Fry Interchange Outer East Recreation Coordinator said, “Family camp is a great opportunity for families to meet and mingle with others in a similar situation, it gives them a chance to enjoy a family holiday in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Staff and volunteers ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the kids are having fun on activities such as the flying fox, giant swing, canoeing, raft building and playing a bunch of ball games.

We have such a demand for family camps that we are looking into funding to run an additional family camp through the year.” 

Family Camp cost the agency approximately $28,000 each year which includes food, accommodation, most location activities and transport for staff and volunteers.

Highlights of the camp this year include the annual Parents vs. Everyone Else basketball and soccer matches. The first half of the soccer match was played in the rain with the children, volunteers and staff eventually triumphing over the parents.

Volunteer Coordinator Emma Kay said, “Volunteers play an important role in making sure kids are having a great time while giving parents a bit of a time to themselves. This year we had 22 volunteers which was great.”

Volunteer Kevin Smith said, “By far the best camp I've been on, ever, I'll definitely be back for next year's family camp.”

The first camp was run in September 1991 for 60 families registered with Interchange Outer East living in the Knox, Maroondah or Shire of Yarra Ranges. 

For more information about family camp please contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or via email ioe@ioe.org.au

by Rebecca Gallaher