Youth In Front YRG Camp 2025

Youth In Front YRG Camp 2025

The 5th Annual YRG Camp brought together 12 Grand Pacific Health headspace Centres and 2 external headspace Centres from Bankstown (Flourish lead agency) and Campbelltown (OneDoor lead agency) across the South-West Sydney, Southern NSW, and ACT regions. In April 2025, 75 young people from Youth Reference Groups (YRGs) across the region gathered in Jindabyne for a dynamic event focused on collaboration, inspiration, networking, advocacy, training, and project planning.

During the camp, YRG participants had the opportunity to develop personal and meaningful Acknowledgments of Country to use at meetings and events. Additionally, they took part in a project planning workshop that led to the creation of three unique regional projects for 2025:

  1. Youth Access for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Young People – Centers: headspace Bankstown, headspace Campbelltown, headspace Edmondson Park, headspace Liverpool, and headspace Oran Park
  2. Youth Zine – Centers: headspace Bega, headspace Canberra, headspace Goulburn, headspace Tuggeranong, and headspace Yass
  3. Young Men Engagement – Centers: headspace Kiama, headspace Nowra, headspace Shellharbour, and headspace Wollongong

For more information about these projects and our 2025 video, click here.

In addition to project planning, the YRG participants enjoyed a variety of fun activities, including a Bonfire (with marshmallows), Trivia Night, Nature Walk, Stretch and Flow (yoga/somatic movement), and team-building icebreakers.

The camp continues to unite young people from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences, fostering connections, passion, and a strengthened sense of purpose. It is a space where participants are encouraged to reflect on their roles in the YRG and the impact they have on the centers they represent. The camp is shaped annually by the input of the YRG to ensure it remains meaningful, relevant, and inclusive for all attendees and the wider communities they serve.

Here are some comments from YRG participants who attended this year’s camp:

  • “I really enjoyed the training/workshops on Saturday. I gained relevant skills for both my YRG role and personal/professional life.”
  • “The camp provided education on topics we would struggle to find elsewhere and helped many of us feel more connected with others who share similar experiences.”
  • “Camp was an excellent opportunity to build bonds and relationships with others from different headspace centers. It helped me grow in confidence and I’ve made lasting friendships.”
  • “I felt like I was part of something bigger and more impactful.”
  • “It was valuable to hear the experiences of other YRGs.”
  • “In the age of social media, young people are often more disconnected. This camp gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, grow, and experience positive, welcoming vibes. I’m so glad I participated and would recommend it to others.”
  • “Camp provided a safe space for me to be the best version of myself. It’s boosted my self-esteem and confidence in ways I haven’t experienced elsewhere. I absolutely loved it.”