Lions Club of Geelong Corio Bay helped 80 deserving Geelong children to attend the Lions Village Licola Children’s Wilderness Camp from April 17 to 21.
The children’s village, 54km north of Heyfield at the gateway to the Alpine National Park, comprises 16 residences and was purchased by Lions clubs of Southern NSW and Victoria in the late 1960s
“The purpose of these adventure camps is to provide children aged eight to 11 an opportunity to live in a community setting and to participate in challenging outdoor activities designed to promote self-worth and to allow them to rise to their full potential,” camp organiser Brian Edward, who is a retired police officer, said.
“This is a big ask of some children who are temporarily removed from parental presence and are challenged to make decisions about first time participating in a variety of outdoor activities.
“They are always in the care of child-safe volunteers and they take advice from outdoor activity specialists. They are encouraged to listen to instructions and to make decisions about, for example, being fitted into a harness and taking that first step off a platform that sends them flying down the flying fox zip line. Their after-activity smiles and reactions are unforgettable.”
Camp rules are explained to children upon arrival. Three misbehaviour strikes and you are out is the policy.
“During the past 20 years I have been in attendance at these camps, no Geelong child has been sent home,” Mr Edward said.
“The children are generally compliant and well behaved. They learn from one another and share experiences. The attendees represent the new face of Australia.
“There were first-generation Kerens, Afghani, Iraqi, Indian and African. They all participate in activities comprising arts and crafts and indoor games to being harnessed and lifted to great heights and then pulling a pin on a giant swing.”
The 80 children who attended the April camp were jointly sponsored at $400 per child by the Dawn Wade Foundation, The Howard Glover Trust, West Carr and Harvey (Accountants) and Geelong Community Foundation. The next Lions Village Licola camp is set to take place in January 2024.
