INTRODUCTION

Doxa provides a range of camping programmes for children and young people in both city and bushland settings. We are all about campers having fun and learning while creating special childhood memories. We want every child to be able to access the growth opportunities offered by camping experiences. We provide quality and affordable camps for schools in disadvantaged communities year-round and for children from less affluent families over the summer break. Our Malmsbury camp is also available for community use over weekends and parts of the school holidays.

OUR CAMP MANAGERS

City Camp Manager

Luke Mahoney, the Manager of the City Camp, has had a career in the recreation field spanning nearly twenty years in both Australia and overseas. Luke initially graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Recreation Leadership and is currently completing a Master of Primary Teaching at RMIT. For the last five years, Luke has been managing camps for the Doxa Youth Foundation and had previously been Adventure Director of the Summit Camp in Pennsylvania in the USA. Earlier in his career, Luke had a particular focus on leading outdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing and high ropes courses.

Anthony Callaghan, Malmsbury Camp Manager

Malmsbury and Journey Camps Manager

Anthony Callaghan, the Manager of the Malmsbury Camp, has spent his career in the outdoor education sector. He is committed to nurturing children’s and young people’s appreciation of the natural world and the need to care for it. Anthony has completed the International Camp Director Course and has a range of specialist qualifications in outdoor adventure activities such as high ropes courses and climbing. Immediately before joining the Doxa team, Anthony was Director of Operations at the Lady Northcote Recreation Camp run by the YMCA.

THE BENEFITS OF CAMPS

Independent research in both Australia and overseas clearly shows the benefits of camps for children and young people. Amongst these are building better social skills, greater confidence to take healthy risks, increased independence and an improved capacity to work in a team.

Watch the video below to find out more.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

We are committed to keeping children safe. We have a Safeguarding Children’s Policy, which includes requiring every team member to have a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check. We also have the very best evidence-based policies and practices in place to manage risks from COVID 19 at our camps.

SCHOOL BOOKINGS

We give priority access to schools working with the most disadvantaged communities. We use the Victorian Department of Education and Training measures and data to determine this: The Student Family Occupation and Education, (SFOE), rankings and the rural and remote disadvantage criteria.

WINNING THE COVETED MINISTER’S AWARD

In 2015, the Doxa Youth Foundation won the coveted Minister’s Award as part of the Victoria Government’s Community, Sport and Recreation Awards. It recognised our significant contribution in expanding opportunities for all kids to experience going on camp.