THERAPEUTIC RESPITE CAMPS (STA)

We offer weekend respite camps for young people 8-17 and adults 18+. The weekend camp is 100% tailored to the interests and needs of participants and includes all equipment, catering and transport. We offer camping or cabin accommodation.

  • School Holiday Camps ages 8-17 - dates & information

  • Tailored 1:1 respite camp/retreat - all ages

  • Emergency Respite - all ages

Connect and Explore offers Respite Camps - STA (Short Term Accommodation) for children and adults who experience mild to moderate disabilities, experienced trauma, require time away from home environment or looking to develop wellness skills. Our respite retreats combine the perfect amount of relaxation, fun, learning and adventure in nature.

A 1:1 tailored respite camp with Connect & Explore is a unique experience where I'll collaborate with you to plan something that is fun, safe and useful and provides you with the best possible therapeutic outcomes. This can look like sitting around a campfire having a yarn, self-care activities, cooking, art/craft, bush walking, swimming, abseiling and much more. Our experienced and qualified facilitator will guide and support you. You will leave feeling refreshed, nourished, energized, relaxed and will have learnt new skills. All the activities and levels are tailored to meet your individual needs, to ensure you feel safe, included and engaged. We believe that wellness is accessed by connecting with nature, community, wellness activities and nourishing food. We combine all of these together.

Package Includes

  • Camping or cabin style accommodation

  • Transport to and from the meeting location eg home or airport (tailored respites)

  • All delicious & healthy meals, snacks & drinks

  • Activity equipment

  • Mindful movement, breathing exercises, meditation and wellness tools

  • Activities in nature (bush walking, swimming, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, abseiling, rock climbing from beginner to intermediate)

    Relaxation activities including foot baths, board games & campfire

Activities to choose from

Here's a taste of some options available. Our main focus is to provide you with an experience that is fun, safe & exploring wellbeing, so whatever that looks like for you will be how we run the session. Full list of what is on offer:

  • Rock climbing

  • Abseiling

  • Bush walking

  • Swimming

  • Geocaching

  • Nature Play

  • Cooking

  • Art & craft (card making, clay, jewellery, painting just to name a few)

  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding - SUP

  • Low ropes

  • Meditation/mindfulness

  • Bush living skills

Pick up locations:

  • Sydney, Greater Western Sydney, Hawkesbury

  • Blue Mountains (Glenbrook to Lithgow)

  • Central Coast (Gosford to Raymond Terrace)

  • South Coast (Heathcote to Nowra)

  • Other upon request if 1:1 tailored respite

Referrals:

We accept referrals from carer/parent, school, DCJ, Support Coordinator or services

Cost

3 day 2 night respite 1 facilitator - $2940 (Friday 4pm - Sunday 4pm - these can be extended if needed)

For NDIS participants the item number is STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) 1:2 - 01_054_0115_1_1

“Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction”

- Rumi