Demons Colin Garland, James Frawley, Nathan Jones and Lynden Dunn were special guests at Berry Street’s Foster Care Camp last week.

In what was the 24^th Annual Foster Care camp in Anglesea, held for over 200 children, foster carers and volunteers, this was the fifth year in which Melbourne players had been involved.

Jones and Garland visited kids at a water park in Geelong, while Dunn and Frawley spent the afternoon kayaking with a group on the Anglesea River.

The camp provides a unique opportunity for the children and young people in Berry Street’s foster care programs to experience a holiday, which for some will be their first. “Many of the children who require foster care have suffered some form of abuse or neglect,” says Anita Pell, Hume Regional Director and Chief Camp Coordinator. “During the camp, the children are given the opportunity to participate in activities that encourage teamwork, challenge and above all fun”. 

The camp is also designed to provide the many hard working foster carers and their natural children with a week’s retreat. While the camp is full of fun and laughter for all the children, the adults take the opportunity to participate in training and welcome the chance to learn from other carers who experience the same highs and lows of providing a home away from home for children in care.

Berry Street never gives up on children and young people who have suffered great distress and significant harm. Many of have grown up in families where violence, chronic neglect, substance abuse, mental illness and poverty have prevented them from having a good childhood. For more information, and to find out how you can help, visit www.berrystreet.org.au.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, or supporting Berry Street, call 1800 013 088 or visit www.berrystreet.org.au.