FAQ's | Feel the Magic

GENERAL

What ages do Feel the Magic cater for?

Camp Magic and our Virtual Programs are designed for children ages 7-17. For families with younger or older children, our Family Day Camp is a wonderful option as it is open to families with children of all ages.

Is there a minimum or maximum time which must have passed since the death of the family member before joining Feel the Magic programs?

A minimum of 6 months must have lapsed before attending an overnight Camp Magic program. For virtual and Family Day Camp programs, we assess each case individually to ensure the best fit for your child’s needs. There is no maximum timeframe; it is never too late for a grieving child to join Feel the Magic programs.

What states do you run face-to-face?

New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland.

How do I apply for my kids?

If you would like to discuss our programs and the application and registration process, please reach out via the Contact Us button and a member of our team will be in touch.

How do I refer a family?

If you are a mental health professional, support worker, school counsellor or psychologist, medical professional, please use this form to make a referral.

Do Feel the Magic charge for programs?

No! Our programs are free-of-charge for the families we support. Programs are fully funded by Feel the Magic. This includes resources, catering, accommodation (for the children and volunteers attending Camp Magic), and access to support. Feel the Magic dedicate significant efforts to securing funding for our programs through extensive fundraising, sponsorship, and donations.

CAMP MAGIC

Do parents or guardians attend Camp Magic with their child/ren?

Camp Magic is exclusively for children ages 7-17. We recognise how important it is for parent/guardians and children to bond during grief; however, our Camp Magic program is just for children. We encourage parent/guardians to participate in the Parent & Guardian Workshops held just after drop-off on the Friday to learn about what the campers will be partaking in over the weekend, and again prior to the closing ceremony on the Sunday to hear about the weekend.

If I become a volunteer for Feel the Magic, then can I stay the night with my child/ren?

Parents and guardians who volunteer are not permitted to participate in programs where their own children are enrolled. This allows space for the child to address their grief in a safe space and empower them to self-soothe and learn new ways to deal with their grief. For children with separation anxiety, this environment promotes personal growth. Children are not forced to do anything they do not want to and are welcome to engage as much or as little as they feel comfortable. We will work with you to select the programs which best fit your child's needs, and other’s where you can volunteer.

My child/ren does not want to stay the night, can I pick them up each night and drop them back each morning?

Unfortunately, this is not possible as this disrupts the flow of the camp. Camp also has late nights and early mornings, and so much fun and connection happens during these times! We will always keep your child/ren safe and can organise a time for them to call you if needed. If your child is not yet ready to stay overnight, we recommend attending Family Day Camps until they feel more comfortable with overnight stays.

Can my child/ren take their mobile phone to Camp Magic?

Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, or any other electronic devices are not permitted at Camp Magic as we are teaching the children to be present with their grief and their peers. Volunteers are also asked not to carry their phones on them at camp so they can always be present and in the moment with their camper.

Does my child/ren need to attend another program before they can go to Camp Magic?

We ask that all children become familiar with Feel the Magic before registering for an overnight program. They can do this by attending a Family Day Camp or registering for a live virtual program. It is important for children to build up trust and familiarity with our team with the safety of the parent/guardian to support them. This helps with the transition to Camp Magic.

FAMILY DAY CAMP

Who can attend a Family Day Camp?

Family Day Camps are open to all members of the camper’s immediate family, including siblings who are younger than 7 or older than 17 years old. We also encourage parents to invite any other adults which may be a direct support to the child or parent/guardian.

Which states are Family Day Camps held in?

Family Day Camps take place in the following states: New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and Victoria.

Do we need to bring our own lunch to a Family Day Camp?

No, all meals are provided and fully catered by Feel the Magic. However, please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day and provide detailed dietary requirements before each program.

Is it beneficial to repeat a program?

As your child grows and further develops, how they feel about their grief may also change. Revision of our concepts and tools may be beneficial to them, and this is easily accessed by registering back into a program. Family Day Camps are also wonderful to revisit for connection of children and adults alike.

I am worried this day might be overwhelming for my children. How can I explain to them what the day is about?

Family Day Camps are non-confrontational days which are focused on connection, fun, and learning new tools and strategies to self-soothe and self-regulate. These days help the children to build up trust and familiarity with our team with the safety of the parent/guardian to support them

GRAD CAMP

What ages is Grad Camp suitable for?

Grad Camp is specifically designed for young adults ages 16–19 years who are aging out of our Feel the Magic programs.

Who can go to Grad Camp?

Any campers who have previously attended Camp Magic prior to the age of 18.

Where is Grad Camp held?

Due to funding, Grad Camp is currently offered in New South Wales and Victoria. However, we do accept return campers from any state.

Do Grad Campers get matched with a mentor?

No, 16–19-year-olds will explore their grief experience and prepare themselves for the upcoming challenges associated with transitioning into adulthood alongside a team of volunteers who are there to support the group.

HEALTHY GRIEVING PROGRAM Virtual Camp

What are the age groups for this program?

Program One: 7–9 years
Program Two: 10–13 years
Program Three: 14–17 years

Does my child need to attend all three session times?

While we encourage your child/ren to attend the three sessions to get the full benefit of the program, we understand conflicts can arise. If they absolutely need to miss a session, or part of a session, the facilitators will help catch them up during the next session so they won’t feel behind.

When will we receive the resource pack?

The resource pack will be sent out in the mail in the week leading up to the start of the program.

When do you provide the Zoom link for login?

The Zoom link will be emailed to you two days before the program, ensuring it’s at the top of your inbox and ready for your child/ren to join on Saturday morning.

What type of device is recommended for login?

A tablet with a large screen or a PC is perfect for this program.

LET’S TALK SUICIDE FAMILY DAY CAMP

Who can attend a Let’s Talk Suicide Family Day Camp?

Families who have experienced a family member die by suicide.

Does my child need to know their family member died by suicide to come to the program?

Children participating in this program should have an understanding that their family member's death was by suicide. However, it is not necessary for them to know the specific details or method used. Children will not be asked about the intricate and sensitive details surrounding the death. However, they will be encouraged to talk about their grief and associated feelings. They do not have to share anything they do not want to.

Will the staff use the word Suicide on the day?

The term Suicide will be used openly and respectfully throughout the program. Just as we would talk about a death from terminal illness or a car accident, Feel the Magic believes in addressing suicide directly to help break the stigma surrounding it. We aim to create a supportive and accepting environment where all family members feel comfortable.

Do we need to bring our own lunch to a Family Day Camp?

All meals are provided and fully catered for by Feel the Magic. However, please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day and provide detailed dietary requirements before each program.

Which states are Family Day Camps held in?

Due to funding, Let’s Talk Suicide Family Day Camps take place in New South Wales and Victoria.

LET’S TALK SUICIDE Virtual Camp

Does my child need to know their family member suicided to come to the program?

There are two sessions; does my child need to attend both?

We encourage your child to attend both sessions for the full benefit of the program. However, if they need to miss one due to a prior commitment, or part of one session, the facilitators will help catch them up in the next session so they don’t feel left behind.

When will we receive the resource pack?

The resource pack will be sent out in the mail during the week leading up to the program.

When do you provide the Zoom link to login?

The Zoom link will be emailed to you two days before the program, so it will be easy to find in your inbox and ready for your child to join on Sunday morning

What type of device is recommended for login?

A tablet with a large screen or a PC is perfect for this program.

PARENT & GUARDIAN WORKSHOP

When do these workshops run?

These run during face-to-face programs. Camp Magic hosts two workshops per program, and Family Day Camps host one workshop per program.

Do I have to attend these workshops?

Parent & Guardian Workshops are optional to attend. However, they are a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents and guardians who have the best opportunity of understanding what it is like to be a grieving person, raising a grieving person.

What is covered in these workshops?

The program focuses on teaching a shared ‘grief language’ to use within the family. It provides valuable insights into the most effective coping strategies and tools for grieving families, while also offering parents and guardians the opportunity to bond more deeply with their children through a shared understanding of grief. These sessions have been developed by a clinical psychologist and the Feel the Magic team and are delivered by a registered psychologist.

I have attended one before, should I attend again?

If your child is attending Camp Magic, you will always be invited to return to these workshops. You will find each time to vary slightly given the different group of parents and guardians present, the psychologist presenting, and the topics which may be suggested for further discussion.

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION

I have registered my interest, does this mean my family/child/children are guaranteed a spot in the program/s I selected?

We can never guarantee a spot in the program you have registered interest for; however, we will always try to accommodate as many people as possible and do our absolute best to give you your choice of program.

When will I find out if my family/child/children have been accepted in the program/s I have registered?

Camp Magic & Grad Camp – 10 weeks prior to the program date, via email.
Family Day Camp (including Let’s Talk Suicide Family Day Camp) - 8 weeks prior to the program date, via email.
Healthy Grieving Program & Let’s Talk Suicide virtual programs - 4 weeks prior to the program date, via email.

Do I need to fill out application paperwork ahead of each program?

No. However, if you need to update any personal details, please email: lauren.galbraith@feelthemagic.org.au

Can my family join a program outside of the state I live in?

Absolutely! If the dates suit you and you have the means to travel interstate.

How does Feel the Magic decide who is accepted to attend each program?

Here are the things we consider when deciding which children to invite to a program:

For Camp Magic and Family Day Camps, the proximity of time since they last attended a face-to-face program.
For Camp Magic and Family Day Camps, a ratio of 70% new children/families and 30% returning children/families. As Feel the Magic grows, the number of returning families grow. This may mean your family/child/children may join a waitlist when returning to a face-to-face program based on the factors in this list.
For Camp Magic, making sure each child can experience the program at each of the age group levels at least once (7-9 years, 10-13 years, 14-17 years).
For Camp Magic, whether a child has attended a virtual program or Family Day Camp prior to registering. We like all children to experience one of these programs before attending Camp Magic as it fosters a sense of emotional safety and trust in Feel the Magic, and familiarity with program content before staying away from family overnight.

For virtual programs, we offer sessions based on the number of registrations. You are almost certainly assured a position in the program you select for your child.

Is it beneficial to repeat a program?

As your child grows and further develops, how they feel about their grief may also change. Revision of our concepts and tools may be beneficial to them, and this is easily accessed by registering back into our virtual Healthy Grieving Program. Family Day Camps are also wonderful to revisit for connection of children and adults alike.

Frequently Asked Questions