About us

Who’s behind camp

Camp Cooinda is run entirely by volunteers, with overall governance provided by the Committee of Camp Cooinda Inc. We’re independent, non-profit, and here for the long haul — supported by the passion of leaders, alumni, and friends who believe in what Cooinda can do.

[Contact us] if you'd like to find out more about how you could get involved in keeping Camp Cooinda thriving.

Committee of Management

The Committee is made up of eight members, including the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Officer. It meets regularly throughout the year to:

• Oversee governance, risk management and compliance
• Set the organisation’s strategic direction
• Ensure our camps are safe, effective, and aligned with our values
• Support the volunteer leaders and coordinators who make camp happen.

As Camp Cooinda’s governing body, the Committee is legally responsible for the organisation’s operations, finances and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. It plays a key role in maintaining Cooinda’s long-term sustainability — making sure we’re in good shape to keep running great programs for generations to come.

Executive Group

The Executive Group is a smaller team within the Committee, made up of the Executive Officer, President and Secretary. They keep the wheels turning between Committee meetings, taking care of ongoing administration and urgent matters. The Committee delegates the Executive Group to undertake a number of activities on its behalf, including:

• Managing day-to-day and annual administration of Camp Cooinda Inc.
• Acting promptly on important program, governance, and operational matters and translating Committee decisions into policy, procedures, manuals and guides.
• Preparing agendas and documentation for Committee meetings and coordinating the work of the committee, subcommittees and working groups
• Keeping succession planning on track, so key roles have strong handovers and continuity
• Communicating actions and outcomes back to the full Committee
• Appointing the teams of Camp Directors and Program Directors who lead the summer camp programs.

By separating strategic oversight (the Committee) from administration (the Executive Group), we ensure Cooinda remains well-governed, responsive, and prepared for any challenges.

Coordinators & specialist roles

Beyond the Committee and Executive Group, a volunteer team of coordinators and specialists takes care of specific areas that keep camp running smoothly:

• Summer Camps Coordinator – Oversees the planning and smooth running of our summer camp programs, from schedules to logistics.
• Leader Selection Coordinator – Manages the recruitment, screening, and placement of volunteer leaders each season.
• Camper Applications Coordinator – Handles camper registrations and ensures families have the information they need before camp begins.
• Summer Program Team – As the summer draws near, the Summer Camps Coordinator, Leader Selection Coordinator and Camper Applications Coordinator hand over to the Camp Director and Program Directors for each camp. From this point, the Camp Director and Program Directors take the lead, guiding the summer program team through the preparation and delivery of our camps.
• Equipment and Maintenance Coordinator – Keeps our gear, boats, and facilities in safe, working order year-round.
• Powerboat Maintenance Coordinator – Oversees the upkeep and safety of our powerboats to ensure they’re always ready for use.
• Webteam – Maintains the Cooinda online presence and information management systems so our community can stay informed and connected.
• Privacy Officer – Ensures we handle all personal information in line with our privacy policy and legal obligations.
• Food Safety Supervisor – Ensures our kitchen operations meet food safety standards and maintains a healthy environment for everyone.
• Finance Committee – Monitors budgets, spending, and reporting to keep Cooinda financially sustainable.
• Risk Working Group – Identifies, assesses, and manages organisational risks to ensure camps are safe and well-prepared.

Annual report and honour roll

Read our most recent Annual Report and open our Honour Roll to see the many people who have led our committee and camp teams over the decades.

I loved that as a group we went from being complete strangers to a family with many laughs and stories to share.