Salvos add glow to lives of WA youth
- kirranicolle
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The Salvation Army’s Karratha Youth Accommodation Service recently celebrated WA Youth Week by assisting in two public events for young people in the Karratha region.
The West Australian youth accommodation service has six beds and two independent living units for young people at risk of homelessness in the Pilbara region.
The Salvation Army attended the Kick-Off Concert on Friday 11 April, with a market stall featuring interactive games including a ‘Spin to Win’ wheel where participants could win lollies, sensory items, drink bottles and other merchandise.
Youth Week WA runs yearly from 10–17 April, and this year was marked by more than 100 events. The theme for 2025 was ‘Our Threads, This Place, Your Moment’, celebrating the ‘patchwork’ of contributions from young people across the state.
“Youth Week 2025 was officially launched in Western Australia by the State Minister for Youth, Hannah Beazley MLA, and was followed by an incredible performance by Indigenous rapper Zero Emcee that set the tone for an energetic week ahead,” the Youth Services WA team wrote.“With approximately 200 people in attendance, the atmosphere was electric, and it was uplifting to see young people and families engaging enthusiastically with our stall.”
On the following night, 12 April, the Karratha youth team co-hosted a Glow in the Dark three-vs-three basketball competition at The Youth Shed, alongside Headspace and the City of Karratha. About 90 participants aged 10 to 17 competed to crown winners of the girls and boys divisions and additional tournaments.
“These events offered the Karratha Youth Accommodation Service valuable opportunities to step into the community, represent our organisation with honour, elevate the service’s profile, and reinforce our commitment to supporting youth in the Pilbara,” the Youth Services team added.
WA Kids Camp relaunches with dancing, memory-making, and Jesus
Young people across Western Australia gathered for a relaunched Kids Camp earlier this month.
Held on 11-13 April at CYC camp, Baldivis, the camp saw 62 people attend, including 34 campers, eight emerging young leaders, and 20 adult leaders.
The Kids Camp was the first in four years, a result of the momentum in the Children’s Ministry space in WA.
The weekend gave campers an opportunity to make new friends, build relationships with leaders, and see other kids from local Salvo churches.
The camp offered interactive Bible stories, prayer walk activities, workshops, and free time. Sessions were based on the stories of Jesus that spoke to finding a sense of place in the Kingdom of God.
“Camp has helped me grow in my faith because each session I learnt something new about Jesus,” said one camper. “I feel closer to God,” said another.
Activities on the Saturday included Akwaaba African Drumming, with campers learning new drumming and dancing skills. Other campers created memories from their camp experience, making a photo frame that stated, “I found my place at Kids Camp 2025”. The dancing continued into the evening with a silent disco that has become a popular experience for WA Kids in recent Junior Youth events.
“Towards the end of camp, I had campers who were just wanting to enjoy camp and enjoy the atmosphere,” said one camp leader. “When I asked them what we could add more of to make camp even better, they said ‘more Jesus’, which is just amazing.”
Leaders shared that many kids had asked faith questions, and campers were given the opportunity to explore the next step in their faith journey. The camp was closed with a fun ‘bubble blessing’ activity, during which leaders blew bubbles over the children and prayed for them before they returned home.
“I’ve been so encouraged to serve alongside you all,” shared another camp leader. “What a passionate and awesome bunch of leaders. I’m encouraged that we’ve got the right people in our WA Kids Ministry.”
– Anthony Castle
