What Toc H South Australia Does

Aside from the many and various activities undertaken by Toc H branches to support their community, Toc H is involved in several programmes in South Australia.

The protection of the people in our care is of utmost importance to Toc H. Please refer to our Child Protection Policy for more details.

Toc H Victor Harbor Campsite & Camping Programme

A main focus of Toc H as a whole in South Australia is the campsite at Victor Harbor.

For the past 70 years, Toc H South Australia has provided camping programs for children with disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our camps not only provide families with much needed respite, but just as importantly, provide children between 7 and 11 years with the chance to engage in activities that they would otherwise not have the chance to experience.

The children who attend our camps have experienced or continue to experience extreme hardship. They are referred to us by agencies such as Anglicare, The Smith Family, FEAT, and Child, Youth and Family Services.

Most commonly their families have faced:

• under and unemployment
• homelessness or transience
• discrimination and racism
• unsupported lone parenthood
• educational under-achievement
• admission into state care
• violence and abuse
• physical health problems
• behavioural problems
• mental health problems.

"we may think that needs exist only for those children growing up in war-torn, impoverished, countries where parents are too exhausted, too depressed, too deprived to provide their children with even the basics of food, clothing and shelter... even in the most privileged societies of the world, children are neglected, malnourished of body and soul, and abused... they miss out on a childhood full of adventure and experimentation and fun... many of today's children need to be re-introduced to the very concept of play" Christina Noble

Of particular concern to us, is the increasing demand being placed on foster families in South Australia, who are becoming more and more stretched to meet the current demand. Caring (parenting, foster parenting etc) can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Breaks from caring can help to relieve the stress and exhaustion carers may feel.

"Adelaide is desperate for foster carers... Anglicare has recently advertised for foster carers due to the shortage... On any one night Anglicare has around 600 children in foster care situations... and has about 200 carers to cope with this... the families are becoming increasingly stretched to meet the demands." Liberal Human Services spokesman Dean Brown 23 Feb, 2004

Toc H camp leaders are all volunteers committed to supporting children to form positive relationships with their peers, to make healthy choices, to build self-esteem, and to develop positive community attitudes. Our volunteer co-ordinators and leaders organise, plan and implement a creative range of activities for the children.

At Toc H Camp, we support kids to:

• Make healthy choices
• Build positive relationships
• See the world differently
• Enjoy new experiences
• Overcome challenges
• Share with others

Toc H Camps give kids:

• Something to look forward to
• A sense of belonging
• Something to look back on

At Toc H Camp we believe in:

• Reinforcing personal strengths
• Building self-esteem
• Working together
• Having someone to look up to

At Toc H, we believe that every child has the right to a happy and positive childhood. Toc H members and other community service organisations (such as Kiwanis and Rotary) sponsor the camps. We receive no government funding, and find it a continual battle to provide this service at a minimal cost to the families ($25 for a 3 or 5 day camp). This cost is often further subsidised for the family by the referring agency.

Ivy Reedman Children's Camp

The Ivy Reedman Children's camp (camp for children with a disability) aims to provide respite for parents and carers. We also aim to give children with a disability the opportunity to experience a weekend away in a camping environment.

The opportunity to make new friends or to catch up with old friends. To participate in a range of group activities, sports, arts and crafts, games, cooking and outings.