Camden’s young people are getting ready for a fun-filled week in April as Youth Week 2024 approaches.

The national annual celebration will run from Thursday 11 to Sunday 21 April and is all about giving people aged 12-24 an opportunity to share ideas, have their voices heard on issues that concern them, showcase their talents, celebrate their contributions and, above all, have fun.

Camden Council is proud to be promoting an exceptional Youth Week program, with events and activities offered by Council and community groups from right across the Macarthur region.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, encouraged young people to take part in all of the FREE activities.

“People aged between 12 and 24 years make up about 16 per cent of the total Camden population,” she said.

“It’s so important we keep that population engaged with and excited about what’s happening around them, which is why programs like Youth Week are so vital. There’s a great mix of events and activities on offer this year, all aimed at helping young people to stay informed about local issues and connecting them with peers from across the Camden area.”

“Camden’s Youth Week celebrations have won several awards in the past few years, and this year’s program definitely upholds this fantastic reputation.”

To find out more about all the events and activities organised, and how to secure your spot for each of them, visit www.camden.nsw.gov.au/community/support/young-people/camden-youth-week.

The full program includes:

Dance Group Performance
Date: Thursday 11 April

Time: Noon-3pm

Location: Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre

Details: The Disability Trust are holding a dance workshop for local young people living with a disability. This workshop will be held with a professional dance instructor from dance academy.

Youth Drop-In Program

Date: Thursday 11 April

Time: 3-5pm

Location: Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre

Details: Come and join the Julia Reserve drop-in program. There will be fun programs and art workshops designed specifically to celebrate local young people and all that you contribute to the Camden community.

Camden High School Wellbeing Day

Date: Friday 12 April

Time: 1-3pm

Location: Camden High School

Details: As part of the Camden Youth Week program, Camden High School are hosting a wellbeing day for their students. This will include an inflatable ninja course, a super footy challenge, and visits from local support services. Note: For Camden High School students only.

Camden Shorts

Date: Friday 12 April

Time: 6-10pm

Location: Camden Civic Centre

Details: Camden Shorts 2024 boasts a program of Camden’s finest young creatives. Join us for a night of celebration, showcasing emerging artists in theatre, art, dance, and music. A sensational line up of talent will perform, many for the first time before a live audience.

Camden Community Catch-Up

Date: Saturday 13 April

Time: 10am-noon

Location: Julia Reserve Youth Precinct

Details: Camden Council in partnership with "Talk2Me Bro" will be delivering a special Youth Week Camden Community Catch-Up.

Make-Up Workshop

Date: Tuesday 16 April

Time: 2pm

Location: Camden Library

Details: Come and attend Camden Library’s Make-Up Workshop. Teaching young people how to apply make-up and how to get a job in the beauty industry.

Cooking for Fun with Leftovers

Date: Tuesday 16 April

Time: 10.30am-1.30pm

Location: Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living

Details: Come and join Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living’s Cooking for Fun with Leftovers session. The qualified chef will demonstrate several dishes for participants, in which participants will also get to eat a sample of the dishes made on the day.

Career Workshop – Become a Tattoo Artist

Date: Wednesday 17 April

Time: 2pm

Location: Narellan Library

Details: Come and attend Camden Library’s Career Workshop on how to become a tattoo artist. Learn skills from a qualified and experienced tattoo artist and see if tattooing is the career for you.

Julia Reserve Youth Fest

Date: Wednesday 17 April

Time: 2-5pm

Location: Julia Reserve Youth Precinct

Details: Come down to Julia Reserve Youth Precinct and celebrate Youth Week in style. This event is an opportunity to celebrate local young people with numerous different activities taking place within the precinct. Activities include a rock-climbing wall with The Y, engaging with a community stall hosted by Youth Solutions or engaging in Big Yellow Umbrella’s jewellery making workshop. In addition to this, Big Yellow Umbrella is also hosting a youth-led FREE community barbecue and Camden Council will be running a basketball game.

Julia Reserve Skate Event

Date: Wednesday 17 April

Time: 1-6pm                                                       

Location: Julia Reserve Youth Precinct

Details: Come down to Julia Reserve Youth Precinct and engage in a day of skating. Including both learn to skate clinics and a skate jam competition.

Youth Multicultural Festival

Date: Friday 19 April

Time: 2-5pm

Location: Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre

Details: The Camden Youth Reference Group is hosting a Youth Multicultural Festival to raise awareness and celebrate Camden’s growing diversity. Young people are encouraged to come to Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre and enjoy the free cultural food and activities that are on offer.

Podcast Workshop

Date: Saturday 20 April                                                       

Time: 11am

Location: Narellan Library

Details: Come down to Narellan Library for this Podcast Workshop, where you will receive a podcast tour and tips on how to create a podcast.