Camp Quality gives kids facing cancer the chance to be kids again, with services and programs designed to help change the cancer story: in hospital, online, at school or away from it all.
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Camp Quality Puppet Digital Playdates bring fun and distraction to Camp Quality kids isolated by cancer. Kids can connect live with one of our much-loved puppets via a 10-minute online 'playdate' using their personal device such as a smartphone or tablet.
Our Happiness Hub is the online home for Camp Quality's services and programs. The Hub offers kids isolated by cancer treatment, hospitalisation, or living rurally, access to puppet videos, games and craft activities, wellbeing resources and virtual book readings so they don't miss out.
Virtual Camps bring the fun, positivity and connection of a camp experience online for Camp Quality kids aged 7-14. Virtual Camps mean kids isolated by cancer, due to treatment, location or ongoing health concerns, don't miss out on Kids' Camp. Camp Quality will run four Virtual Camps in 2021.
Our world-first Kids’ Guide to Cancer app is a free, interactive educational app that answers the most common questions children have regarding cancer.
The New Normal Navigator app is a free app that offers practical support to parents of a child diagnosed with cancer; it also connects them to further services that may be helpful for their family.
Our Programs Team visits children diagnosed with cancer in hospitals around the country. They play an active role introducing families to Camp Quality services and programs, as well as speaking to them about other support providers.
The Camp Quality Puppets: our Programs Team is often accompanied by the puppets, or one or more Recreation Program Volunteers, who bring laughter and distraction to kids at their bedside.
Our Child Life Therapists help kids undergoing cancer treatment to cope within the hospital environment. In preparation for treatment, they introduce medical play techniques and coping skills proven to reduce children's anxiety about the procedures they face.
As part our Primary School Cancer Education Program, the Camp Quality Puppets – Kylie, Dean and Mel – visit primary schools and pre-schools across Australia. They perform a fun, interactive show that dispels cancer myths and creates an inclusive community for children who have been diagnosed with cancer, or who have a diagnosed parent or sibling. The Primary School Education Program also offers access to a range of age-appropriate, downloadable resources for teachers and parents to keep the discussion going well after the puppets have left the stage.
Kids' Camps give children 4-13 years old facing cancer the chance to just be kids again. Kids experience time away from their parents, filled with friends who understand, new adventures and fun and optimism, to help build resilience and life skills. Medical volunteers ensure children's health needs are met. Each child has a dedicated volunteer Camp Companion to ensure they are supported and have the best time.
Family Camps bring Camp Quality families together to reconnect with each other and share the ongoing experiences they face with others who are in a similar situation. It's an opportunity to relax, make lifelong friendships and have experiences not centred on sickness – often for the first time since diagnosis. The presence of medical volunteers mean kids are always safe and parents can relax.
Kids Impacted by a Carer's Cancer (KICC) Camps: Camp Quality has recognised the need for a new program that supports children facing a parent's diagnosis. These camps allow children to make friendships with others in a similar situation and have a break from what can be a frightening reality.
Family Fun Days are free, one-day recreational events for families that provide a break from the stresses of cancer. They are an opportunity to do something memorable together with other families facing cancer, which they may otherwise be unable to afford or organise. Volunteers provide a safe, supportive environment.
Retreats give families dealing with the impact of a child or parent's cancer a holiday together. Our retreats are located at Salamander Bay (NSW), Warrnambool (VIC), BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park located in NSW (Coffs Harbour) and West Beach Caravan Park (SA). A retreat provides a chance to relax, unwind and make precious positive memories, particularly during palliative care and in the heartbreaking case of bereavement.
Our Funeral Support Program provides help for bereaved families in extreme financial difficulty.