Frequently Asked Questions

So that’s lots of information but you’ve still got questions?? We understand that knowledge is power, so we have put together the answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions.

Below are most of the questions we get asked on a regular basis. If your question is not answered here please email the Youthworks Holiday Camps Coordinator at holidaycamps@youthworks.net and they will endeavour to find the answer for you.

1. Who is Youthworks Holiday Camps?
2. What is involved in the Christian part of the camp?
3. Who looks after the campers?
4. My child doesn’t know anyone on camp, is that a problem?
5. What are the rooming arrangements?
6. Can I be in the same room as my friend?
7. Can the campers be contacted on camp?
8. What does my child need to take with them on camp?
9. What is the program for camp?
10. Are the leaders trained to handle emergencies?
11. Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
12. Can you cater for my child’s special medical requirements?
13. Do you provide financial assistance for campers?
14. Can my child transfer from one holiday camp to another?
15. Can I cancel my child’s camp registration once it has been paid?
16. How can I register for a camp?
17. Is it safe to pay online?
18. Can I pay for camp in installments?
19. Are there other ways to book my child into a camp other than online registration?
20. How do I find out about future holiday camps?

1. Who is Youthworks Holiday Camps?

Youthworks Holiday Camps are part of the Youthworks Outdoors division of Youthworks, the not-for-profit Youth and Children’s ministry arm of the Sydney Anglican Church. Youthworks Holiday Camps have been running fun, safe Holiday camps for thousands of young people for more than 50 years and are committed to providing camps of the highest standard.

2. What is involved in the Christian part of the camp?

Each day on camp there will be a Bible talk and then small discussion group time giving campers a chance to talk about issues in more depth, and to ask the leaders questions about God and life.

3. Who looks after the campers?

Youthworks Holiday Camps are lead by teams of Christian volunteers from churches all across NSW. A ratio of 1 leader to 5 campers helps ensure campers are supervised and looked after 24 hours a day. All leaders are required to complete a number of child protection checks and attend training sessions and team meetings before attending camp.

4. My child doesn’t know anyone on camp, is that a problem?

On every Youthworks Holiday Camp there are a number of campers who have come on their own. Our leaders are trained to particularly watch out for these campers, to care for them and help integrate them into camp life so they feel a part of the group from the start! This means campers leave camp having had an awesome time and made many new friends.

5. What are the rooming arrangements?

The girls and boys rooms are separated from each other and there are leaders in each cabin block to ensure appropriate standards of behavior are maintained.

6. Can I be in the same room as my friend?

Prior to camp, campers can request to be in a room with whomever they like so long as they are the same gender. This is done by simply writing the name of the friend on the Additional Camp Information Form where it asks “Who would the camper like to share a room with?” The Director will allocate rooming according to these requests. Please note: in some circumstances the camper may not get all their room request preferences due to camper numbers, size of cabins, etc. The Director may also choose to separate campers while on camp for disciplinary reasons.

7. Can the campers be contacted while on camp?

After you have finalised the holiday camp registration, you will be sent an information letter that outlines the address of the campsite and phone numbers where the camper can be reached in an emergency. There is also an address where you can write to the camper while they are away.

8. What does my child need to take with them on camp?

Details regarding what the camper will need to take with them on camp is including in the information letter which you will be sent about 3 weeks before the start of camp.

9. What is the program for camp?

The program for each Holiday Camp can vary slightly but the general program looks like this:

08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Talk session
10:00 Morning tea
10:30 Activity session
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Activity session
15:30 Afternoon tea
16:00 Free time
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Night activity
21:00 Supper
21:30 Lights out

10. Are the leaders trained to handle emergencies?

All Youthworks Holiday Camps have at least 1 qualified Senior First Aid officer on the team who can offer immediate medical assistance if required. The camp Directors are also supplied with information on the location of the nearest hospital and medical centre’s to ensure swift action can be taken in the event of any injury or emergency.

11. Do you cater for special dietary requirements?

Yes we do. Once you have registered for a camp you will be sent an email that has two attachments. The second attachment is a Special Dietary Requirements Form. This needs to be completed and returned with the Additional Camper Information Form. We seek to cater for special dietary requirements as much as possible and practical. In certain circumstances, you may need to provide special food to bring on conference.

12. Can you cater for my child's special medical requirements?

Dealing with medical requirements is common and the leaders can confidently administer medication if you have requested. Please ensure that all medication requirements are details in the ‘Medication’ section of the Additional Camper Information Form.

13. Do you provide financial assistance for campers?

We don't want anyone to miss out on spending an unforgettable week at a Youthworks Holiday Camp. While the camps are certainly invaluable, they do cost a lot to run. Youthworks Holiday Camps have a financial assistance program available to campers who cannot afford to pay the full cost of camp. Campers are asked to contribute whatever they can to the price of the camp and then the balance is paid from the camper assistance fund which comes from donations from others who also understand how valuable Youthworks Holiday Camps are.

If you require help in paying for the cost of camp you can download a Financial Assistance Form here or by contacting to Youthworks Holiday Camps Coordinator. You will be contacted to discuss your assistance after you have return the completed form by email to holidaycamps@youthworks.net, by fax to (02) 9524 3810 or by post to:

Youthworks Holiday Camps
PO Box 705
SUTHERLAND NSW 1499

14. Can my child transfer from one holiday camp to another?

Yes you can. Just contact the Youthworks Holiday Camps Coordinator to arrange this.

15. Can I cancel my child's camp registration once it has been paid?

For our cancellation policy please see our Terms and Conditions on the online registration site.

16. How can I register for a camp?

Registering for a holiday camp has never been so easy! Just go to the Register Now page, decide which holidays you want to go on a camp in, click on the camp you want to attend and then follow the directions to the online registration page.

17. Is it safe to pay online?

Youthworks will not take risks with your financial information. Our online form is designed to have the maximum security possible while still requesting the necessary information required to process your payment. Youthworks respects your privacy and does not store your credit card details on our server after the transaction has been completed.

18. Can I pay for camp in installments?

If you select to pay by credit card you will be unable to pay in installments. If you need some flexibility in paying for your holiday camp please contact the Youthworks Holiday Camps Coordinator before registering and they can help make payment arrangements.

19. Are there other ways to book my child into a camp other than online registration?

Unfortunately, at this time, registrations can only be completed via the online registration page. If you are having difficulties with your registration please contact the Youthworks Holiday Camps Coordinator and they will assist you.

20. How do I find out about future holiday camps?

You can visit the Register Now page to see the list of holiday camps for the year. We also send out reminder emails at the start of each year and are happy to send out brochures once they are available. To receive these emails please follow directions on the Connect With Us page.