Kidney Kids Camps - an awesome adventure
Kidney Kids Camp is a five-day camp run especially for 'Kidney Kids' - young people aged between 7 and 17 years - who are affected by kidney disease and caters for approximately 50 to 60 Kidney Kids, with equal numbers of carers.
Camps are conducted in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania on an 18 month rotational basis, with the aim of national implementation in the near future.
Until 1995 individuals and groups, usually dialysis units, held Kidney Kids Camps in most states. Ongoing funding and co-ordination of activities and medical care proved difficult, so it was decided that a larger organisational approach was needed.
Kidney Health Australia agreed to co-ordinate all aspects of fund-raising and administration for the Kidney Kids Camps - and the first truly National event was held in 1995.
Kidney Health Australia - 2007 National Kidney Kids Camp
 Forty eight children from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, along with 42 volunteers, 15 health professionals and staff - a total of 105 people - took part in a five day camp.
Children affected by kidney disease were special guests at Camp Manyung - Mt Eliza on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, Victoria from 24 - 28 September 2007.
The event was organised by Kidney Health Australia and kindly co-hosted by Monash Medical Centre (MMC) Melbourne, Paediatric Renal Unit.
Ahoy there me Mateys!
'Pirates’ were the theme for the 2007 Camp and the volunteers led the way calling for all Pirates, Deckhands, Captains to ready themselves for the week ahead. Shiver me timbers there was no time to be hanging around below deck by Tuesday it was all hands on deck to experience what Camp Manyung had to offer; Pirate crew challenges, raft building, flying fox, giant swing archery and lots more! All the pirates had an opportunity to sail the high seas on a 1800’s Tall Ship (The Enterprize), explore the creatures of the deep blue (Melbourne Aquarium) and to get up close and personal with salt water crocodiles and reptiles when a special ‘Wild Action’ show visited camp. Back by popular demand was the traditional ‘Kidney Kids Camp Concert’.
All the pirates, deckhands and captains prepared their skits, jokes and chanteys for their last swashbuckling feats. Whether sailing solo or as a motley crew, all pirates took part in a good old fashioned “knees-up”! Arrr me mateys by Friday it was time to go! Sacks were packed, anchors raised and all the pirates set sail for home with lots of fun memories and new friends.
Camp provides these very special Kidney Kids with an extremely memorable highlight in their lives and more importantly, a chance to just have some good old fashioned FUN!
Kidney Health Australia Board, staff and our 'Kidney Kids' recognise the contributions by the health professionals and volunteers who help make this Camp a success. Thank you!
Deakin University, School of Nursing, Burwood, VIC
La Trobe University, School of Occupational Therapy, VIC
Melbourne University, Faculty of Medicine, Melbourne, VIC
Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC
Monash University, School of Dietetics, Clayton VIC
Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC
Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, SA
To our generous sponsors, supporters and donors
The Kidney Health Australia Board, staff and 'Kidney Kids' recognise the wonderful contributions of all who make these Camps possible - especially our sponsors who provide financial assistance to run the camp.
The costs to run our Camps are significant and are also partly supported by participants in our annual Kidney Kar Rally, proceeds and donations from our Golf Days, donations from our many loyal donors, and supporters who buy our Lottery tickets. You all help to make this event possible. Thank you!
Our proud sponsors and supporters of the National Kidney Kids Camp 2007:
Amgen Australia
Baxter Healthcare Australia
Eli Lilly Australia
Fresenius Medical Care Australia
Gambro
Action Printing
Banana Boat
Bonne Bell Australia
Cheap as Chips
Fuji Australia
Lions Club of Beaumaris
Mind Challenge
Network Surf
Pacific Magazines
Price Attack
Wompro
Yamaha Golf Cars
Interested in Volunteering?
Each year we organise various holiday camps, kids capers and fun holdiay activities, with the aim of providing people of all ages with kidney disease, their families and carers an enjoyable break from their normal routines.
Kidney Kids Camp 2007 was held at Camp Manyung - Mt Eliza Volunteers involved had almost as much fun as the kids.
See also photos from:
Kidney Kids Camp 2002 Slideshow
National Kidney Kids Camp 2004
National Kidney Kids Camp 2005
If you would like information about how to volunteer to help us with these activities click here.
Kidney Kids Capers
This is a daytime activity program is an action-packed and fun-filled three days for school-aged Kidney Kids with kidney disease and their siblings sometimes their parents/carers which provides an opportunity for networking as well as a break from their normal routine. It was held for the first time in 2002 and has grown since then to an annual FUN event Kidney Kids look forward to and very much enjoy.
New South Wales Kidney Kids Capers - October 7 to 9 2007
Day 1 - A Family Fun Day on Sunday October 7 2007 - Parents, children and siblings of all ages joined Kidney Health Australia staff enjoyed a picnic on Shark Island. Presented by the Tribal Warrior Council in association
with the National Parks and Wildlife Association, activities included traditional ochre and mud face painting, Koori dancing, bracelet weaving and boomerang painting.
Day 2 and 3 - Kids between the ages of 7 and 17 visited Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney Tower observation deck, and the Maritime Museum to board the submarine HMAS Onslow and the destroyer HMAS Vampire.
Contact Jane Armstrong and Stephen Anderson (NSW KHA Office) on 02 9299 4599 or nsw@kidney.org.au
Western Australia Kidney Kids Capers - October 7 to 9 2007
This year's WA Kidney Kids Capers - a Family Fun Sunday - was held at Yanchep National Park and includes a guided crystal cave tour with a fully catered lunch provided at the Yanchep Inn. The next two days were just for the kids and include a day at Challenge Stadium full of fun activities put on by Teamworks. The final day's entertainment was provided at Zone 3 Laser Games finishing with more sporting events for the final day.
Contact Shelley Harwood (WA KHA Office) on 08 9381 9311 or wa@kidney.org.au
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