SCKC Camp was AWESOME!!

Well the Southern Cross Kids camp was amazing! I have now recovered enough to sit down and share the whole experience!

Firstly to everyone that contributed scrapping supplies when the call went out, a HUGE thankyou on behalf of all of the children, their Buddies (adult carers) and myself! The amount of product was just phenomenal, a little overwhelming in hindsight (ok buddies who may be reading.... A LOT..LOL) but amazing none the less. With a lot of hard work and creativity and some help from me and the other support staff the buddies created the most amazing memory albums for each of the children.

In the weeks prior to camp, i organised the supplies, unfortunately due to weddings, airport farewells, general life mayhem and my first ever online Class for Shop and Crop, i was unable to complete all the "time saving" ideas I had in mind. And not being sure how much the buddies knew about scrapbooking, i leapt in boots and all. Thankfully they were all gracious enough and didnt complain about being wrenched well beyond their comfort zones. I learnt a lot and they now know what double sided tape is for, what mats are, how to use a trimmer and the art of brad insertions...LOL. I have big plans for next year, and relax guys, they are going to make your lives a heck of a lot easier.!!

With every night being a 1.30 am or later and the last being an all nighter for two of us at least, we managed to produce a staggering 800 + pages for the books, with 20 photos for each child and 40 magnificnet covers. Unfortunately I can only share the covers with you guys as many of these children have child protection orders that protect their anonimity, but from all accounts, when the buddies shared their Memory book gifts with their kids, their childrens reactions made the late nights and hard work worth every minute. They were absolutely delighted and watching them proudly show their carers or foster parents the physical proof of their activities was the cherry on top. I was lucky enough to have several girls come up to me at the closing concert and express their delight with big shining smiles and huge hugs. For me, that truly made every moment I invested worth gold.

Stories were shared about the importance of these books to the children, with accounts of past campers having run back into their burning home to rescue nothing but their camp memory books, remember these are young children, only 7-11yrs of age. These books are a physical memory anchor to what can be the highlight of some of these childrens childhoods; the physical embodiement of  feeling cherished, cared for and just simply being happy carefree children are captured within the pages.

So with great pride, not just in myself but especially in all the buddies, all the helpers and everyone that donated product, I can tell you, YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of 40 innocent, abused and  neglected children. So THANKS and take a moment to have a smile, because each time they look through their beautiful, lovingly created albums they will relive their memories again and again.

Comments

[Chris]

This is fantastic Julie!! They look awesome!! Please put me down again to donate next year!

Thanks
Chris.

[Fiona Carter]

Julie,

These books look wonderful, and such an beautiful reminder for these kids of their time at the camp.

You obviously put a lot of thought and time into the preparation and it sounds as though it was very rewarding.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Fiona
x

[Lee]

Julie these books look amazing!

[Julie T]

Oh Jules, the memory books look absolutely fantastic!!!...I can see why the kids would be thrilled with them! You and the buddies did a wonderful job!...awesome stuff!! :)

[michelle]

Hey Julie,
thanks for all your hard work and patience, with us tired buddies. You were such a blessing. Thanks too, to all those who donated such beautiful scrap booking stuff, it really made the kids feel, what we had been teling them all week, that "they are valuble". It was so special to give them such beautiful memories. I am so happy that you got photos of the covers it was really exciting to see them again. thanks again, looking forward to working with you again next year.
Michelle

[Marie Noske]

Julie, they are beautiful! It would be a hard heart who wouldn't be moved by these. God bless you.

[Trina]

Jules, so so so pleased that it went well and the books were a huge hit. They look absolutely darn amazing! I have tears in my eyes for the hard work that you and everyone put into them and the results that will mean so much to these kids in years to come. Wow.

If you need more next year, please let me know. I'd be happy to help again!

Cor, on this cold autumn night you have warmed my heart. Thank you.

[Missy Langford]

I am absolutely amazed and awed at the time you took to make such a difference in these children's lives. May God bless you and keep His hand on you and all that you do.