By Lucy Waldron
Marking their tenth year, Borderline Australia’s Camp X drew to a close over the weekend with some heartfelt storytelling about what the camp and organisation meant for those involved.
The camp, which brings together teenagers from across Australia, has proven to be a beacon of growth, resilience, and community spirit.
A participant of the 2023 winter borders and host of the night Daniel shared how the lessons learnt and friends made during his short time at the camp have continued to stay apparent throughout his everyday life.
“Every message, every meet-up is a new opportunity to strengthen our connection, to learn and grow together,” Daniel said.
“It’s in these interactions that I find a sense of belonging and purpose, a reminder that no matter where we are, we’re always a part of something greater. Borderline isn’t just a memory, it’s a living, breathing part of my everyday life, continuously presenting new opportunities for joy, growth and unbreakable bonds.”
Returning to Cherrabah to host the 10th-ever camp of Borderline was a full-circle moment for Daniel.
“My first camp here was filled with nervous excitement and uncertainty. Little did I know that week would set the stage for one of the most transformative years of my life. Thanks to Borderline, many opportunities have arisen for me within this past year,” Daniel said.
The camp’s success is attributed not only to the participants but also to the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Daniel expressed his gratitude, “These amazing humans don’t work for Borderline, aren’t paid to be here, and have taken time out of their own jobs to share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with our borders this week.”
The camp’s impact extends beyond individual growth, fostering a sense of belonging and community among participants. Two campers, Macquarie and Ebony, shared their heartfelt stories, highlighting how Borderline has changed their lives.
Macquarie reflected, “After losing my best friend in 2021 to suicide, Borderline has shown me that there is more to life than the sad times. It has helped me realise that there are people who appreciate me for who I am. Borderline is like a family, and I’ve created lifelong friendships.”
Ebony shared her journey of overcoming bullying and anxiety, crediting Borderline for providing a safe and supportive environment.
“This place has become a home for most, even more a home than the place that they live. The love and laughter we’ve shared have made this a community where you can be authentically yourself and feel heard,” Ebony said.
Cody Shaffer, the founder of Borderline Australia, emphasised the significance of the milestone. “To me, mental health in Australia is getting worse. It’s horrible; I think nearly 40 per cent of young Australians are struggling with their mental health in some shape or form, and it is not good enough that we don’t do enough,” Cody said.
“We need more people to do more and to be relatable like Borderline is, and to be less clinical and listen to teenagers. That’s something that I always wanted Borderline to be; it’s a ‘listen to you’ camp, not a ‘fix you’ camp.”
The theme for the tenth camp was “Home“ because, as Cody explained, good mental health should feel like home.
“Home is a place where we should feel safe and have the people around us who we love, and that’s what good mental health should feel like all the time. This experience has been remarkable, to say the least. Over the past ten camps, tonight feels like a giant reunion to look back on those ten camps,” he said.
The night concluded with an award ceremony, with the Fran Edney award which represents someone on the camp who has grown, not only as a person but grown throughout the week. Dom Lofaro is the worthy recipient as he is “kind and considerate and not only willing to grow themselves but help support everyone.”
The second award of the night was the Kay Danes award presented by Cody, the award is for overall excellence throughout the week of camp and is awarded to a teenager who has shown strength, leadership, and positivity and got involved throughout the week and created a space we all could feel safe in.
Loud cheers went up when the award had to be split in two to accommodate for Scarlett Small and Woraprach Kachanan, who embody every meaning of the award.
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