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Media Statement: Australian Camps Association Urges WA Government to Extend Camps Funding to all Camp Providers in Western Australia

18 December 2024

- For Immediate Release -

Media Statement: Australian Camps Association Urges WA Government to Extend Camps Funding to all Camp Providers in Western Australia

The Australian Camps Association (ACA) commends the announcement of $2.4 million in funding to support Western Australian public-school camps and the government’s recognition of the value of school camps in shaping young people’s lives and supporting families experiencing cost-of-living pressures, however, we are also disappointed and concerned regarding the restrictive allocation of this funding.

As the national peak body for the camps and led outdoor activity sector, the ACA represents a diverse range of providers across Western Australia (WA), who are dedicated to delivering impactful outdoor education experiences for schools and communities. These providers play a crucial role in ensuring that students across the state, irrespective of location or school type, have access to transformative camp experiences that promote personal growth, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

We note with concern that the funding announced will exclusively benefit camps operated by the DLGSC and the DoE. This excludes many independent and not-for-profit camp providers, who are equally committed to delivering safe, affordable, and enriching experiences for WA students. Many of these providers also cater to schools with low ICSEA scores and are vital in serving regional and remote communities. By restricting the scope of this funding, the government inadvertently limits the accessibility and diversity of camp experiences available to WA students.

ACA CEO, Peter McDougall, urges the WA government to consider extending this funding initiative to include all camp providers in WA. Doing so would ensure equitable support for the broader camp sector and guarantee that more schools, particularly those facing cost-of-living challenges, have greater flexibility in choosing camp providers that best meet their needs.

School camps are a shared responsibility and benefit the entire community. To exclude a significant portion of the sector from this funding diminishes the opportunity for thousands of WA students to access the diverse range of experiences that independent camp providers can offer. It also undermines the efforts of these providers, who contribute significantly to the state’s economy and youth development outcomes.

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Media Enquiries please contact:
Jessica Hough
Events & Communications Manager

Australian Camps Association
info@auscamps.asn.au

P: 03 9863 6822  |