Age is just a number, you’re only as old as you feel…yeah sure, but we’re shining a special spotlight on locals aged between 12 and 24 years for Youth Week!

The national annual celebration will run from Thursday 20 to Sunday 30 April and is all about giving young people 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 one of the biggest Youth Week programs ever offered to local young people, with events and activities offered by Council and community groups from right across the Macarthur region. It includes:

• The Art of Pasta Making, organised by Macarthur Centre of Sustainable Living (MCSL), on Thursday 20 April, 10am-1pm;
• OCTEC Limited’s Basketball Comp on Thursday 20 April, 3-5pm;
• Youth Arts Competition and Exhibition, organised by Headspace Campbelltown, on Thursday 20 April, 2-6pm;
• Camden Youth Multicultural Festival, organised by Camden Youth Reference Group, on Friday 21 April, 1-4pm;
• Camden Council’s Spotlite youth music event, on Friday 21 April, 7-10pm;
• Design and Paint Your Own Skateboard Deck, organised by Camden Libraries, on Saturday 22 April, 1-3pm;
• No Tag Lag, organised by Camden Council, on Monday 24 April, 3.30-5.30pm;
• #whyichoose Campaign, organised by Youth Solutions, on Wednesday 26 April, 3.30-5.30pm;
• Design Your Own School, organised by Big Yellow Umbrella, on Wednesday 26 April, 4-5.30pm;
• Youth Week BBQ, organised by Camden Council and Wise Employment, on Wednesday 26 April, 3-3.45pm;
• Camden Careers Expo, organised by Camden Council, Tuesday 27 April, 11am-7pm;
• Camden Shorts, organised by Camden Council, on Thursday 27 April, 6-11pm;
• Julia Reserve Skate Competition, organised by Camden Council and The Totem Collective, on Saturday 29 April, 10.30am-5pm; and
• Pull 4 Purpose, organised by Youth off the Streets, on Friday 28 April, 9am-3.30pm.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said people aged between 12 and 24 years made up just over 16 per cent of the total Camden population.

“This number is expected to grow significantly over the next 30 years as Camden, as the wider Macarthur area, increases in population,” Cr Fedeli said.

“It’s so important we keep our young people 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 part 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 https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/community/support/young-people/camden-youth-week/