Recovery Camp

23/12/2025

We're taking a short break 💚

The Recovery Camp office will be closed from Wednesday 24th December 2025 until 1st January 2026, reopening on Friday 2nd January.

If you require support during this time, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for mental health support or 000 in an emergency.

Recovery Camp wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

22/12/2025

We were lucky enough to celebrate two milestones on the same program, with our 2000th student AND 1500th expert at our December program last week.

✨ Meet Keegan - our 1500th Lived Experience Expert! ✨

Keegan has joined a community of 1500 people with lived experience who have taken part in Recovery Camp’s 5-day therapeutic recreation program, contributing to their own recovery while helping educate future health professionals.

We sat down with Keegan to hear firsthand about her experience at Recovery Camp 💚

🎥 Full video coming soon – stay tuned to hear Keegan’s story.

22/12/2025

✨ Meet Sussy - our 2000th Student! ✨

Sussy has joined the cohort of 2000 health students who have immersed themselves in Recovery Camp's 5-day evidence-based placement experience that builds mental health knowledge, reduces stigma and develops their confidence to work collaboratively with those with lived experience.

We sat down with Sussy to hear firsthand about her Recovery Camp placement experience.

🎥 Full video coming soon - stay tuned to hear Sussy's story.

17/12/2025

🎁Recovery Camp December 2025 Program – unwrapped! 🎁

Our final program of the year was full of connection, learning and festive cheer!

The week kicked off with our Christmas-themed newspaper catwalk, where everyone showed off their creativity and holiday spirit. Later in the week we continued the festive spirit by coming together for a delicious roast dinner, celebrating friendship and community. 💚

We were delighted to welcome visitors from Japan to our program, including four nursing students from Kanazawa University, guided by Koji, Professor of Mental Health. It was a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge, learn from one another and strengthen international connections in mental health education.

Recovery Camp took part in ‘Heart Sense’, which is a nurse-led research project aimed at increasing education around blood pressure for student nurses and consumers. The project is led by Dr Catherine Stephen from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) School of Nursing. 🌿

We said a heartfelt farewell to the Y Yarramundi staff, celebrating all they have done to support Recovery Camp over the years, as the venue prepares for renovations in 2026.

✨A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on a Recovery Camp program in 2025.✨

From all of us at Recovery Camp, we hope we can make 2026 another year of meaningful impact, supporting experts by lived experience, empowering both consumers and health students in their education and mental health, and bolstering the future mental health workforce.

Interested in joining us in 2026?

📍January 12–16, 2026 – Wombaroo, NSW
📍April 13–17, 2026 – Borambola, NSW
📍May 11-15, 2026 – NSW (specific location TBA)
📍July 6-10, 2026 - Wombaroo, NSW
📍September 21-25, 2026 – Warrawee (Joyner, QLD)
📍October 2026 – location & dates TBA
📍December 2026 – location & dates TBA

Spots are limited. Reach out now to learn more or get involved:
☎️ (02) 8488 0802
✉️ hi@recoverycamp.com.au

16/12/2025

📣We’re excited to share that Recovery Camp is returning to Wombaroo in 2026!

This will be our first time back at Wombaroo since 2017, and we’re looking forward to delivering our evidence based therapeutic recreation programs at this special location in the heart of the stunning Southern Highland region of NSW.

📍 Wombaroo – High Range, NSW
🗓️ January 12–16, 2026
🗓️ July 6–10, 2026
➕ Additional 2026 Wombaroo programs to be announced

Recovery Camp programs support mental health recovery by bringing together people with lived experience and health students in a structured, supportive outdoor environment.

If you’d like to learn more or register your interest for upcoming programs, please get in touch:

📞 (02) 8488 0802
📧 hi@recoverycamp.com.au
🌐 www.recoverycamp.com.au

27/11/2025

A five-second flashback to five years ago! One of our most loved camp staples - the bushdance 💚

From laughter to connection, nights like this at Y Yarramundi capture the spirit of Recovery Camp.

Want to experience it for yourself?

Contact Recovery Camp at:
(02) 8488 0802
hi@recoverycamp.com.au

or visit www.recoverycamp.com.au/ to sign up for an upcoming program.

14/11/2025

🎉 3 weeks to go!

Our December 8–12 program is almost here - five powerful days of evidence-based therapeutic recreation, connection, skill building and real mental health impact.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to join us… this is it. 💚
👉 Just a few places available - sign up today!
🔗 Links in bio

11/11/2025

💚 Something special is on the way to Recovery Camp…
Be part of the fun at our next program, December 8–12, and see what’s waiting for you! 👀✨
Stay tuned and sign up to join the experience.

07/11/2025

🎄 A Milestone Festive Season at Recovery Camp! 🎄

This December, we’re not just celebrating the festive season - we’re celebrating YOU. 💚

Join us 8 – 12 December for a truly special week, as we reach two incredible milestones:
✨ Our 2000th student
✨ Our 1500th expert by lived experience

That’s 2000 stories of learning, courage and compassion and 1500 stories of lived experience, recovery and hope. Together, they form one inspiring community that keeps growing stronger each year.

Give yourself the gift of connection this holiday season and be part of a program that changes lives. 🌟

📅 8 – 12 December, 2025
📍 Y camp Yarramundi, NSW
🎁 Limited places available, so get in quick!
👉 Register now or enquire via our website www.recoverycamp.com.au

Email or call us on:
hi@recoverycamp.com.au | (02) 8488 0802

27/10/2025

From October 20–24, nursing students and our wonderful experts by lived experience came together for a five-day immersive journey of growth and connection at The Y Camp Yarramundi 🌿💚

Last week was especially meaningful as we celebrated Kaylene, who became our very first ‘Recovery Camp Life Member’ for achieving an incredible 40 camp attendances! Kaylene’s compassion, wisdom and authenticity have left a lasting impact on every student and fellow expert she’s inspired along the way.

Throughout the week, conversations deepened over shared experiences, adventures and moments of reflection. Each time we run a program, we learn more about the human spirit: the strength it takes to keep momentum in your own recovery while supporting the journey of others. Kaylene, and so many others at Recovery Camp, embody this.

Another special highlight was the functional fitness session with Steve from The Jade Health Group, who got everyone up and moving with an energising blend of Tai Chi and Kung Fu movements - the perfect balance of mindfulness, movement and fun. We also had another legendary bush dance led by the talented Greg Dimmock, bringing the whole group together with laughter, music and joyful connection 💃🎶

Throughout October we also celebrated mental health month and this year’s theme of “Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey”. At Recovery Camp, we see every day how small but powerful actions create real change. Our experts by lived experience are living proof - they take brave steps in their own mental health recovery journeys while inspiring others and shaping the future health workforce.

Thank you to everyone who brought their courage, warmth and open hearts to camp. Until next time.

Interested in joining us?
📍 December 8–12, 2025 – Yarramundi, NSW
📍 January 12–16, 2026 – Yarramundi, NSW
📍 April 13–17, 2026 – Bormabola, NSW
📍 May 11–15, 2026 – Yarramundi, NSW

Spots are limited – reach out now to learn more or get involved:
☎️ (02) 8488 0802
✉️ hi@recoverycamp.com.au

27/10/2025

15/09/2025

🌿 Investing in the future of nursing 🌿

Recovery Camp is proud to announce UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia nursing student Chelsea Fisher as the latest recipient of our annual nursing scholarship 🎉

Chelsea will receive financial support over three years, plus the opportunity to complete a clinical placement at Recovery Camp – where students learn directly from people with lived experience of mental illness in a recovery-focused environment.

Chelsea shares her inspiration for pursuing nursing. "I was drawn to nursing because I want a career where I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day. Supporting people through their most vulnerable moments, while also promoting health and recovery, inspires me".

These scholarship are an investment in the next generation of nurses - building a skilled, compassionate workforce that understands mental health through lived experience.

👏 Congratulations Chelsea! We can’t wait to see your journey unfold.