Puddle Jumpers Incorporated

Puddle Jumpers Inc (PJ’s) provides opportunities and support for children and families at risk, through holidays and recreational activities designed to promote personal, social, cultural growth and development. Programs are designed to empower young people to develop social, communication, co-operation, team building, conflict management and problem solving skills; as well as developing self-esteem and confidence. In summary, PJ’s aims to equip young people with the confidence and skills to assume more control and make informed choices in their everyday lives.

PJ’s is a non profit, non-government organisation committed to responding to the social development needs of society's most vulnerable children and young people; priority of our work is reserved for children who do not live with their birth parents.

PJ’s also aims to provide services such as Relative Carers, and/or Grandparents Camps (an opportunity for the young people, their Aunt/Uncle/Grandparent(s), their siblings and the volunteers to participate in activities together), as well as activity days designed to foster the development of those relationships initiated on camps.

A significant element of PJ’s is the commitment to leadership development of young adults who become volunteers.

Activities coordinated by PJ’s for volunteers include retreats, gatherings, conferences and specific skills training. These are designed to encourage individual formation, teamwork and the capacity to lead others in a professional manner.

PJ’s targets children and young people:

• aged between birth to - 15 years (children aged under 5 must be accompanied by an adult / carer/guardian while attending services).

• who would not otherwise be afforded the opportunity for recreational camps/ summer holiday experiences

• particularly referred by Families SA, Emergency Foster Care and other community services agencies

• who may be ‘at risk’ or experience ‘disadvantage’ associated with:

o low socio economic background

o academic or social difficulties at school

o trauma associated with family breakdown

o alienation from their families or familiar environment (eg. live in foster care)

o challenging behaviours

o difficulty initiating or maintaining appropriate relationships