Camp Australia’s Post

This month at The WLA, we’ve been exploring the power of community and contribution and how they shape a more purpose-driven life. Sue led a fantastic Lunch & Learn session, sharing invaluable Lessons from a Life at Sea. She reminded us that just like navigating the ocean, creating a meaningful life requires a strong compass and unwavering resilience. ⚓️ Sandra ran a powerful masterclass into how a purpose-filled life directly impacts well-being, reminding us of the ripple effect that positive contribution can have on both personal and community levels. Here are some additional insights and strategies to foster a life rich in purpose and community: Identify Your Causes: What lights you up? Find a cause that aligns with your values and dedicate time to it. Whether it’s environmental advocacy, education, or supporting local businesses, your impact counts. Build Community Connections: Engage with those around you. Attend local events, volunteer, or simply support a friend’s project. Every connection adds meaning to our shared journey. Reflect Regularly: Check in with yourself to ensure that your contributions align with your evolving goals and values. Sometimes, small course corrections help you stay on track toward a fulfilling life. Set Personal Growth Goals: Make a commitment to learn something new or refine a skill that aligns with your purpose. Contributing often requires us to bring our best selves forward, and continual growth fuels this. Embracing a life around community and contribution doesn’t just enhance our well-being; it makes the journey deeply satisfying and interconnected. For further information on how you can be a part of The WLA community visit our website www.thewla.com #thewla #communityandcontribution #communityleadership #lifeatsea #masterclass #lunchandlearn

I never considered it as an option. I would imagine there are few that do. Certainly in my immediate circle. Time is valuable. Between work, parenting, and life, there isn’t much left. But parenting can take you to places you never considered. Places you never thought you would venture. But saying yes to new opportunities is rarely regretful. And saying yes is life. Taking on whatever is presented to you. You never know what it might give you. I have joined Scouts as a volunteer leader. It wasn’t an immediate yes—part of me did it because it helps my son skip the never-ending waiting list. But now I see more than that. So far, I can see a future of learning, giving, and improving my skills with older children, hopefully preparing me for the teenage years. Yes, it’s taken away every Thursday evening. But saying yes brings more than it takes. It’s about growth, challenge, and sometimes, just showing up. Say yes.

#TBT to an Unforgettable Volunteer Experience at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp 🌟   One of my most memorable experiences at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was my first time volunteering with incredible campers and counselors who taught me the true meaning of resilience and joy. Our Camp, dedicated to serving kids with serious illnesses, offers not just a fun getaway but a transformative experience that empowers young people to embrace their strengths and build lifelong friendship skills.   I was privileged to focus on a cabin of four special campers for a session that summer. It was amazing to witness their engagement in all of Camp's program areas, accompany them on walks to the infirmary for nighttime medications, and support their budding friendships. One camper, in particular, stood out. She was initially reserved and hesitant to make friends or talk to her peers. By the last full day, she danced around the cabin, cheering on her friends. It was beautiful to see how Camp allows children (and counselors) to come out of their shells and be their whole, authentic selves.   Witnessing her transformation was a powerful reminder of the impact of a supportive and inclusive environment on a young person's development. This experience profoundly shaped my life, inspiring me to shift my career focus as I was in my early college years. I'm incredibly grateful for that experience and how it has shaped me as a youth development professional. This summer, supporting the program counselors on my team has been rewarding as they undergo similar life-changing experiences.   What are some of your favorite moments from working with youth, and how do they continue to impact you? I'd love to hear your stories and reflections!   #youthdevelopment #volunteering #lifechangingxperiences #careerinspiration

A www.kegyelemalapitvany.hu annyira a szívügyem, hogy #Szervezetfejlesztő #Szakközgazdász diplomamunkám is erről szól. Mivel ma #AdakozóKedd világnap van #GivingTuesday, minden adományért hálásak vagyunk🫶🏻 De akár holnap vagy hétvégén is ;) 11714006-20269243 #GivingTuesday #AdakozóKedd “As the current president of our Christian foundation with a history of 40 years, I sought organizational development strategies that are both theoretically sound and practically viable. My focus was to address how a 30-member volunteer team can operate effectively in the context of today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) world during monthly meetings and an annual week-long camp. Specifically, I aimed to: • Preserve and uphold the values and spirit of the founders, • Ensure our camp and personal examples remain attractive and valuable for our target audience—current primary and secondary school children, • Sustain our established program structure and framework while incorporating new elements aligned with contemporary needs, • Transition smoothly from a centralized operational model to a new, project-based and task-oriented approach, where leadership roles (president, financial director, and camp director) are separated, requiring heightened adaptability in response to rapidly changing circumstances. In my analysis, I paid special attention to exploring my own role, behavior, competencies, and areas for growth. After 16 years as a volunteer staff member, I have been leading the Grace Foundation as president for the past four years. This role has provided numerous opportunities to apply my expertise in organizational development. My leadership approach has significantly influenced and been influenced by the dynamics of my personal, friendly, and spiritual relationships with team members. I adopted a self-reflective perspective to examine this interplay, focusing on conflict resolution, strategic planning, and tactical execution. The results of my analysis enabled a clearer toolkit, greater team commitment and engagement, and a more conscious, transparent distribution of tasks and responsibilities for the conclusion of this year’s camp season and the systematic preparation for the next. These improvements had a positive impact on the smooth collaboration within the leadership team and the efficiency of monthly meetings. Through this process, I gained greater self-awareness as a leader, identifying blind spots that had previously gone unnoticed. A pivotal realization led to increased empathy and acceptance towards myself, my family, and my colleagues. Simultaneously, I began expanding my toolbox in this area—a development that will positively influence not only my professional and personal life but also my service to our target group, the children attending our camps.”

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Hmmm...😊. Looking at my journey so far as always brought smiles to my face because I did not imagine I could go this far but I always believe in myself achieving great things ✊💪. Ever since, I got admission into #LagosStateUniversity, I found out about potentials in me that I could never think of 😊. I was able to explore and bring out the potentials in me. Starting from the aspect of #Volunteering, I was allowed to participate in several events which earned me certificates of being a volunteer 😊. I also recently participated in #TheLeapstartMentorshipProgramme which also earned me a certificate of participation and achievement 🙂. I also participated for the #LasuFreshersCup and Guess what? 🤗 I came 3rd in the #Femalefootballcompetition which also earned me a certificate 💪. I would say being a #volunteer is not an easy task because it requires a lot of time and energy 💪 but I did not mind what it's took from me because my hard work paid and I became the #AssistantDirectorofVolunteering for #ThePurposeFoundation in #LagosStateUniversity ✊🙂. More of achievements are yet to come because I #OluwasemiloreOmoseyin is the #future because I believe in the #beautyofmydreams. #MilestonesandAchievements. #30daysLinkedinwritingchallenge. #Day4.

Meet Helena Bowman!💗 Middlesbrough Football Club is a professional football club that plays in the English Football League Championship. Who was the inspiring female you identified with as a child?👇 I have always loved sports, so I’d choose my P.E. teacher Mrs Tighe. I thought she was brilliant! What was your biggest childhood dream, have you succeeded it?👇 I have never had a dream. It took me many years to know what I wanted to do and where my skills and behaviours could be best utilised. When did you get a sense of a career pathway?👇 I started working for MFC Foundation after university, and within the Foundation, I gradually formed my career pathway. I moved within the organisation from job to job and developed as I went, leading me to where I am now. What is your primary motivation?👇 I want to make a difference. Mainly to the people I work with, but also to our community. What barriers have you encountered as a female?👇 I’m not sure I can associate any barriers in my career specifically to my gender. People may associate football with being male-dominated, but that is not a barrier. Biggest failure and lesson learned?👇 There have been many! I think failing can be a good thing though. You learn from failure as you will do it differently next time. Specific examples include over promising and under delivering – especially where it has involved promising thing to staff, which then weren’t delivered. I have a few regrets there. Biggest success👇 I’m proud of the work of MFC Foundation. Alongside a brilliant team, we significantly grew the charity and widened it’s reach so we could impact more people. They are a great team of people, doing some life changing work.

Opportunity

What I learnt from a Week on the Road? This week has been a whirlwind, traveling between the bustling streets of #London and the serene countryside of #Carmarthenshire. Service stations, once holiday pit stops, have become my go-to lunch break spots! Despite the change in scenery and culture, one thing remained constant: the impactful enterprise programme I was able to deliver for 2B Enterprising! Whether in England or Wales, primary school children were engaged and learning essential enterprise skills. #Determination, #resilience, #kindness, and #teamwork were just a few of the qualities we focused on… Meeting new people along the way has reinforced my belief in the importance of primary education… We all have a role to play in supporting children's future’s! Whilst being reminded of the importance of keeping in contact with previous employers and colleagues! You never know when you might need their help and support… Jayne Brewer Assoc CIPD Mark Hindmarsh Rhiannon John Emily Lewis Tracy Bracher Kathryn Di terlizzi #EnterpriseEducation #PrimaryEducation #2BEnterprising #Resilience #Teamwork #ChildrensFutures #Networking #ProfessionalRelationships

As A Nation, We Must Act Now! Having worked with over 68000 children across the UK since 2007 and having dedicated my life working with children and young people, I have never been so so worried for the future prospects of our #youth. This is the Elephant in the room to which we appear to be ignoring as nation. Children should be our top priority as a nation, we need to fight back against the negative influences, high levels of parental neglect and passive learning situations that are causing so much apathy and self indulgence in our children and young people. #getoutside #getfit #healthyminds #resilience #charactereducation #character #wellbeing #inclusion #children #sport We have to do more to help, support and guide our young people NOW! This is not a joke, this is what we are hearing from teachers and witnessing within our schools and communities! Teachers are leaving our schools, because the children and the parents do not #respect them! Some parents want to be thier childrens friends rather than facing up to the tough decisions and responsibilities of being a parent. 1/ Now more than ever, children and young people need to understand values and boundaries. 2/ Teachers are calling for more respect and focus in the classroom. 3/ Children are being over exposed to the wrong kind of influencers on-line and within social media channels whom remain unchecked and unchallenged. 4/ Children and young people are collectively more anxious than they have ever been, low confidence and poor self esteem. With a feeling that they cannot live up to the over beautified expectations of thier peers on social media. 5/ Over 45% of children come from broken homes and there are more children than ever being moved in to care. 6/ Children are more vulnerable than ever before to external influences and to exploitation by county lines and the increasing level of local control by gangs. 7/ There is a real lack of mental and physical resilience in children who have not been learning to deal with managing risk, learning to be confident and to step out of thier comfort zone. 8/ levels of obesity at KS2 are a national disgrace, with over 26% of children in year eleven now obese. 9/ There are poor levels of Oral health and hygiene, leading to children have to have more dental and medical interventions (no wonder the NHS is stretched). 10/ Children do not participate in enough physically challenging and demanding sport and #outdoor #activities, it's all in the too difficult box. All of which will lead to premature poor health and Illness in later life.

Children's safety is essential for their well-being. Be Priceless' SEED Education uniquely empowers children and caregivers's attitude, behaviors, and capacity for holistic health - mental, physical, relational, community, and environmental health. Strong health impact: Children and caregivers experience 20% higher health index after just a 12h and 8h SEED Course, this sustains for at least 6 months. This translates to over 1/2 of learners having greater emotional regulation, communication, rejecting and reporting of unsafe situations, using a safety plan, and sense of well-being, safety, and belonging. Medium term: this health impact sustains for 10 more months when graduates participates in 1 more family workshop. We hope to support the children until they are 17 years. Long-term: we nurture the graduates to pay forward by driving community health projects - our current mean volunteer age is 8 years, and over 60% of our graduates are giving back to the community, e.g. volunteering. Health Equity: we prioritize support for the most vulnerable - the majority of learners are from low-income or NCS families. 1 in 4 of our learners live with SEN. All this is possible because SEED is developed and supported by more than 70 professionals from 10 sectors, including doctors, nurses, public health professionals, educators, counsellors, social workers, lawyers, child protection workers, NGO workers, and researchers. Partner with us if you share our purpose to improve children's well-being, safety, and togetherness. https://lnkd.in/gqBSXGRm