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Holidays and Camps

During school vacations there are excellent camps and services available where your grandchildren can be looked after, can learn new skills and socialise with other children in a healthy, supportive environment.

The Department of Education and Training tel 13 13 02 runs kids camps with a great range of outdoor and indoor activities for children to enjoy: from flying foxes to swimming and archery to bushwalking, climbing walls and kayaking, children learn the benefits of trying new experiences and achieving goals.

Specialised camps are available where children can learn new sports, develop creativity and explore the performing arts.

Other Camps

Various charitable or church organisations may have a camp your children can attend:

Anglicare in Goulburn tel 02 4823 4000 runs camps for kids

The Salvation Army tel 13 72 58 runs beachside camps at Collaroy in Sydney each January and Easter. They also run Youth Activity Centres within many of their premises. Contact them and find out more details.

The YMCA tel 02 9687 6233 operates in many areas of Sydney and offers a wide range of activities for children and families including older people. These include child care, vacation care and camps. It has a section called Y Care Sydney that ensures limited financial circumstances don’t stop anyone from benefiting from their programs.

DoCS have a School Holiday Parent Kit available with good fact sheets on where to go and what to do. Contact your local DoCS office for a copy or phone the Help Line tel 132 111.

Vacation Care will be available in your local area. Talk with your child’s school and make use of this resource.

What about a holiday together?

Some Grandparent Support Groups have been able to obtain funds through local Shire Councils to have a weekend away for families – grandparents and grandchildren included. The children get to see others in the same situation as them which is really beneficial and grandparents get some time to spend away from home with other families.

Your local Neighbourhood Centre, Family Support Service or Shire Council may be able to direct you to further solutions for time away and vacation care activities. They should also be able to direct groups as to how you could apply for local funding for respite activities for your group.