From her desk overlooking the Mylor countryside in the Adelaide Hills, Julia books camps at Mylor Adventure Camp and Wirraway Homestead. She coordinates school camps during term time and bookings for church groups, organisations and private camps on weekends and school holidays. 
 
The camps are run by BaptistCare Adventure Pathways to help build resilience, teamwork and connection in the great outdoors. It’s a role she’s relished for almost five years. 

Adventure with purpose 

Adventure Pathways offers fully-facilitated camps to schools across South Australia during term time, and two summer camps at Wirraway Homestead during school holidays.  All camps include accommodation, catering and activities and the summer camps offer horse clinics and horse adventures.  
 
“We offer adventure with purpose,” Julia explains. “We aim to connect people with themselves, with others, with faith and with the natural world through adventure.” 
 
Various programs are available for students from reception (kindergarten) age to year 12. They include team-building games and outdoor sports, such as archery and canoeing, as well as more adventurous activities.  

“For older students, we have our high ropes ‘leap of faith’ and a giant flying fox,” Julia says. “For younger students, we have the flying possum, which is a giant swing, and for the smaller ones, parachute games.”  
 
To support students with autism or high anxiety, the team often works with families ahead of time to help them feel more confident and comfortable about camp. Specially designed equipment is also available to support students with mobility needs, including those who use wheelchairs, to experience activities such as the flying fox. 
 
“We want all students to feel as if they can come to camp,” says Julia, who loves hearing peals of laughter and screams of excitement echo across the camp to her office.  

Seeing the difference  

Julia has thrown herself into her role, even going out in the field to provide hands-on support at the camps. She has seen how powerful they can be, especially for students experiencing challenging circumstances at home. 

“Being on camp takes them away from that and allows them to be a kid again, to enjoy themselves and not worry about anything else,” she says. “While some arrive quiet or withdrawn, by the end of camp they’re often laughing, smiling and making friends.” 
 
Beyond the fun and friendships, she sees how the experiences help build confidence, connection and resilience in students, and develop skills they can take home with them.  

A career change 

Before joining BaptistCare, Julia spent around 13 years as an office manager at a large corporate law firm. Her turning point came on the evening of one of the firm’s regular client cocktail events, which showcased the work of different artists. That particular night, the exhibition featured artists from Tutti Arts, a South Australian multi-arts organisation whose purpose is: ‘to shine a light on the astonishing art of learning disabled and neurodivergent people’. 

“On seeing their artwork hanging on the wall, the artists were screaming with happiness. I remember standing there crying to see them so happy. It was then I decided I wanted to work for a charity or not-for-profit.” 
 
Julia admits she never expected her admin career in the legal profession to lead her into the world of adventure camps. But when she saw the booking coordinator role advertised, she knew of the good work BaptistCare does and decided to apply, viewing it as a possible first step into the not-for-profit sector. Now, having found a role she genuinely loves, she’s very happy where she is. 
 
“I really see the benefit of what we do here,” she says. “That’s why I love my job and why I want to stay.”

Thinking of a similar career?

 Julia’s advice is to go all in. “The culture is amazing, our facilitators are amazing,” she says. “Put your heart and soul into it. It's such a great environment.” 
 
And while she feels she’s where she’s meant to be, she says BaptistCare does offer a wide range of opportunities to explore different roles and pathways.

Tips for healthy living

When it comes to tips for healthy living, Julia says, “Don’t do as I do – I love my chocolate and my food!” But she quickly adds, “Two things come to mind. One is that mental health is just as important as physical health. Talk to people – find someone you can connect with and keep talking. If you’re not struggling yourself, make sure you check in on others.” 
 
The second thing is walking outdoors, ‘in the green’. “Nature is good for you – physically and mentally.”

Life beyond work

Julia enjoys reading, cross-stitch and jigsaw puzzles. She jokes that she’s not especially adventurous herself, but does love travel. Originally from a small village in England, she migrated to Australia 18 years ago. Apprehensive about the move because it meant being so far away, Julia says, “Hand on the heart, within a day of being in Adelaide, I fell in love with the place.” 
 
She loves exploring South Australia – and although not a big drinker, her partner works in the region’s famous wine industry. “He’ll say, ‘Just try this wine,’ and then ask, ‘Can you taste peaches?’ All I can say to that is, ‘No – I can taste wine!’” 

Interested in working with people like Julia? Explore current opportunities and discover where a career with BaptistCare could take you at our job opportunities page.