A group of newly- arrived young people recently attended the aptly named Breaking Down Barriers camp for three days of adventure and bonding as part of the Western Bulldogs’ Settlement Grants Program, funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.  
 
The main initiative of the camp is based around breaking down the barriers between young people and service providers and emergency services in an aim to support their transition into the community.

In particular, the camp plays a vital role in building positive relationships between the Western Bulldogs’ SpiritWest Services and newly arrived young people settling in Wyndham to ensure the Club’s ongoing support to these young people is improved and meeting their needs.

The 26 young men and women were from seven different cultural backgrounds and ranged in age from 15 to 22 years old.

Attendees were given the chance to participate in rock climbing, abseiling, surf-lifesaving bush dancing and sports as they cultivated new friendships and built a support system that they can call on if ever in need.

The camp achieved its aims of enabling newly arrived young to form friendships with each other and with youth workers, provide an opportunity for young people to learn new skills and leadership as well as learn about Australian culture.

The camp received overwhelmingly positive feedback with attendees particularly impressed with the food on offer and the chance to bond through playing sport.

One of the young people that attended the camp commented that it a fun and engaging experience and a great initiative of the Club’s settlement grants program.

"We have a lot of fun learning more things. Thanks for everything; we love this camp, thanks for the food," one of the participants offered.

The inaugural Breaking Down Barriers camp was held in 2008 and it continues to grow year on year.

While the first camp was set up to address the settlement needs of Karen and South Sudanese young people settling in the City of Wyndham specifically, the growth of the camp has embraced the changing faces of the newly arrived refugees and all of their multicultural backgrounds.

The Bulldogs run the camp annually in collaboration with the Wyndham City Council, New Hope Foundation, CFA, Victoria Police and Open family.

Since the camp began, the Club has assisted over 140 newly arrived young refugees to successfully settle into Australia.