Recovery Camp

Established in 2013, Recovery Camp is an innovative, evidence-based and award-winning program with impact. Recovery Camp is: • a professional experience placement for university students enrolled in health-based disciplines, contributing to workforce development and continuing professional enhancement. • a recovery-focused experience for people living with a mental illness. • an opportunity for carer respite. Many health professional programmes in Australia require students to attend professional experience placements. There is a need for more experiences that go beyond traditional clinical placement programs, are cost-effective and meet curriculum requirements. Recovery Camp is such an alternative. Recovery Camp brings together people with a lived experience of mental illness, health students and professionals to participate in an Australian innovation. Attendees engage in a structured facilitated program underpinned by the principles of therapeutic recreation. Empirical research undertaken at Recovery Camp indicates that outdoor recreation activities are the catalyst to improve significant outcomes. For consumers, participation at Recovery Camp: • builds resilience, • increases confidence and self-determination, and • contributes to mental health recovery. For health students, attendance at Recovery Camp: • increases clinical confidence and competence, and • reduces stigma towards people with mental illness. Recovery Camps were established in 2013 and are available to organisations seeking innovative, evidence-based professional experience placement opportunities for their health students, and organisations who are interested in providing a recovery-focused, strengths-based experience for those with a lived experience of mental illness. Websites: http://www.recoverycamp.com.au/ Contact: recoverycamp@uow.edu.au