Young People
According to the 2006 Census, young people aged 12 to 24 years, make up 19.78% (9821 persons) (ABS, 2008) of the total Camden population of 49,646 people. This population is estimated to grow significantly over the next 30 years as a result of the extensive new developments planned for the LGA with the South Western Sydney Growth Centre.
This will present a challenge for Council and Community organisations working with young people to ensure services meet the population demand.
To ensure Council is better able to plan for the current and future population of young people, we have developed a Youth Strategic Plan that outlines key objectives and strategies for reaching these within 5-year time frames.
Current Projects
Camden Get There Bus It
Wollongong Beach Bus
National Youth Week
Kirkham Skate Park BBQ's & outreach program
Young People & Public Space Protocol
July School Holiday Program
Coming Soon
Drug Action Week - 21 - 27 June 2009
Mental Health Week 4 - 10 October 2009
Sexual Health Week - Mid-September 2009
Camden Youth Cafe
The Camden Youth Café provides an opportunity for local young people aged 12-18 years to socialise in a safe, supervised and supportive environment. The Youth Café is fitted out with comfortable, modern furniture, PS2, Nintendo Wii, 2 computers with internet access, pool table, latest youth-related magazines and youth library resources including board games and graphic novels (comics). Low-price food and beverages are also available. There are also kitchen facilities available for use.
Camden Youth Cafe is open Wednesday to Friday, 3.30-6.30pm.
For more information about the Youth Café and it's services please contact Kristen on 46455071, email or check out www.myspace.com/camdenyouthcafe.
Click here to view the Camden Youth Cafe brochure
Youth Strategic Plan 2005-2010
Council is committed to the provision of services and activities for young people living in the Camden LGA. To help identify these needs Council has developed a Youth Strategic Plan. This plan was created through extensive consultation with young people and service providers. The plan details plans and activities that Council hopes to achieve over a five-year time frame. This plan is a living document that is constantly under review.
Do you want to be involved?
The current Youth Strategic plan is reaching completion date set for 2010, so planning and consultation for a new plan will commence in 2009.
To ensure this new plan is relevant Council would like the assistance of young people in the consultation and development of a new plan. If you would like to be involved in this process or be kept up to date on Council events please follow the link to register for our Youth database
Youth Strategic Plan
Places and Spaces for Young People
Camden Get There Bus It
The Camden Get There Bus It service is a free Friday late night transport service for young people that live in the Camden Local Government Area. The service has been operating since August last year, and is targeted towards 18-25 year olds. The funded project is now complete which means this service will no longer be provided. The last night the service will operate is Friday 2 October 2009.The service was an initiative of Camden Council and received one-off funding from the Department of Community Services through the Macarthur Area Assistance Scheme. The aim of the service was to get young adults home safely from entertainment places that serve alcohol and was no cost to the passengers. Mayor of Camden, Cr Chris Patterson said the Bus It project was a great initiative that helped a lot of young people. It also demonstrated that a late night transport service was a viable option to meet community need. “It’s a shame the funding has ended and the project must conclude but it was a great project and certainly helped 18-25 year olds get home safely” Cr Patterson said.
For more information please contact Jodie Grundy on 4645 5021 or email.
Click here for a full timetable of Youth Week Events.
Wollongong Beach Bus
The Wollongong Beach Bus is a free bus service that operates during the Christmas school holidays for young people aged between 12 and 18 years. Young people are required to present a valid school pass or proof of age card when collecting tickets and must live in the Camden or Campbelltown Local Government Area.
This year, young people can access their free ride to the beach between Saturday 20 December 2008 and Monday 26 January 2009. For Camden young people, tickets and timetables will be available from Monday 15 December 2008 at Narellan Library and Camden Customer Service.
Please note Camden Council and Busways take no responsibility for the young people using this service. No supervision will be provided. Parental consent forms will be available and must be completed at the time of ticket collection.
National Youth Week 28 March - 5 April 2009
National Youth Week 2009 runs from 28 March to 5 April and is set to go off, with the theme ‘Make a Move'. NYW is the largest celebration of young people in Australia. Thousands of young people aged 12-25 all across Australia get involved in NYW each year. NYW 2009 will take place from 28 March to 5 April 2009. There will be lots of things happening during NYW 2009 in the Camden LGA. No matter where you live or what you're interested in, there are plenty of opportunities for you!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - An op-shop tour of the Camden LGA will run on Saturday 28th March from 10am - 2pm. A free bus will pick young people up from Narellan Library and take them on a hunt to find retro, vintage and pre-loved treasures. Remember the op shop tour is free to all young people living in the Camden LGA and are between the ages of 12 and 25years. With treasures found on the tour, why not come along to creative art workshops to ‘reverse your garbage' into a grand masterpiece. Workshops will take place at Camden Youth Café on Thursday 2nd April 4-6pm and at Narellan Library on Saturday 4th April from 10:30-1:30pm. Bookings are essential and your place can be reserved by phoning 4645 5071 for the Thursday workshop and 4645 5039 for the Saturday workshop. Places for this half day tour are limited to 19 people, so be quick and secure your spot before 18th March by phoning 4645 5021.
National Youth Week 2009 will also see "EcoBeat", a band night for young people to be held at the Camden Civic Centre on Friday 3rd April 2009. The night will kick off at 6pm and go through until 10pm. EcoBeat will see live performances from local Camden bands including The Lawnmowers and Inflight Entertainment. Headlining acts include Denham Reagh and The Grand Leathals, formally known as WhatRemains. EcoBeat is FREE entry. No pass outs after 8:30pm.
Both events are strictly drug and alcohol free events and proudly supported by NSW Youth Week. To find out about more information about National Youth Week celebrations in the Camden LGA please contact Jodie Grundy on 4645 5021 or email.
Camden Area Youth Services (CAYS)
Camden Area Youth Services (CAYS) is a service for young people between the ages of 12 and 25. CAYS offer a wide range of after school activities on Mondays and Tuesdays for young people and school holiday programs. CAYS also offer help, support and assistance on Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's from 10am-12noon.
Activities include general rop-in services, outings, youth services outreach and referral to other services. CAYS operate from the Narellan Youth Space on Monday and Tuesday's from 3pm-5pm.
If you would like to find out more go to www.myspace.com/camdenareayouth or Contact Maria, 4647 1283 or 0448 022 407. You can also visit CAYS in person at: Community Office 1, Narellan Library Complex, Cnr Queen and Elyard St, Narellan.
Getting Around Camden
Camden offers a wide range of public bus transport with numerous bus stops scattered throughout the LGA.
These buses regularly travel to and from Campbelltown station and Macarthur Square, providing easy access to Wollongong bus services, City Rail train services and Campbelltown shopping.
Volunteer Work for Duke of Edinburgh Award Students
Opportunities exist at Council Libraries and the Youth Cafe for students to carry out voluntary work under the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
For further information contact Jodie Grundy on 4645 5021 or email.
Useful Links
