John Lynch and Michele Halsall from Southern Cross Kids Camp with City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes.By Lia Bichel
A CAMP group providing at-risk children with a week of fun and entertainment in a safe environment won the Casey Volunteer Group Award.
Southern Cross Kids Camp provides children with a week-long camp experience where they have a great time while developing positive self-esteem.
Each year about 35 children are supported by up to 80 volunteers, many who are from local churches, who help make life better for the children who attend.
Director of the Casey camp group John Lynch said the camp, which is one of nine across Australia and New Zealand, aimed to lift the self-esteem of at-risk children and help them make good decisions in life.
“About 80 per cent of the jailed population come from backgrounds of abuse or neglect,” he said.
“We want to change this generational cycle of abuse. We want to give the kids a look at a different life cycle and show them how to make better decisions.”
Mr Lynch said the feedback received from teachers and case workers at the camp was fantastic.
“The change from the kids attending their first camp to when they attend their fourth is reasonably dramatic,” he said.
Mr Lynch said he hoped the award would lift the group’s profile and attract more volunteers.
