Back when mum of six, Ali, was twelve-years-old she attended her first Wild Wee Jasper camp, and it changed her life forever. Now her own children are returning as campers and she couldn’t be more grateful

“I went on Wild Wee Jasper when I was in year seven, and loved it. It was always my favourite camp, and I went every year,” remembers Ali.

“I think one of the really significant things was meeting other young people. 

“The church I grew up in didn’t have many people my age … I ended up going to church with a bunch of kids that I met on Wild Wee Jasper, and that was really key in developing my faith.”  

So central was Wild Wee Jasper to Ali’s life that she didn’t want to leave when she graduated from school, and so she found a way to return … and give back! 

“I went back as a leader. Leading on camps is a really important part of my faith journey. I saw I had a role to play in the Kingdom, and sharing my faith with others was really important,” reflects Ali. 

But her journey didn’t stop there. Together with her late husband, James, Ali took on a vital new role. 

“For about five years, we directed Wild Wee Jasper together. It was so fun (and a lot of hard work!). Our kids grew up going to camp, from even before they were born, and my mother-in-law would help look after them. 

“It was just such a beautiful thing to do as a family together … God gave us this community where people just come together and be excited about Jesus.”

And now, in 2025, as a mum with six children, what part does Wild Wee Jasper play in Ali’s life? 

“And so now those two little kids that came along when they were babies and toddlers are old enough to go on camp, and they also love it!” says Ali. 

“Wild Wee Jaspers is a fun camp where you get to connect with other people in a Christian environment. I love it!” says Ali’s daughter.

“As a mum, my greatest hope is that my kids also choose to have a relationship with Jesus as they grow up, and to have that relationship nurtured. So I think for them to join a camp where there’s lots of leaders who love them and who teach them and encourage them and who share God’s love with them is huge!” says Ali.

“Camps like Wild Wee Jasper really do make a difference in helping young people. The statistics of how many young people don’t stay in the church are quite scary. And I think going on camps like these allow young people to experience God in a really personal way.”

Beginning around 30 years ago, Wild Wee Jasper is one of the ACT’s longest running camps. Ali’s family is just one example of the generational impact of this vital ministry.

Thanks for supporting camps like this to support generations of Christian youth and beyond! To discover how you can contribute to the work of SU Australia’s camping ministry, visit: su.org.au/get-involved