New skills learnt & friendships forged on annual youth camps

Last week, more than 100 of our youth members took part in our highly anticipated annual youth camps – TOAD & Rise Up.

On Monday morning, 71 U14 & U15 members from 29 clubs set sail to Rottnest Island for the TOAD (Teamwork, Opportunities and Development) Camp, enjoying four days of fun and learning along with plenty of sunshine, blue skies, cute quokkas and clear waters for the lucky campers.

Making Kingston Barracks their home base for the duration of the camp, activities kicked off immediately as campers got to know each other before commencing their Radio Operators Course.

Time was spent at Salmon Bay and Pinky’s Beach swimming, diving and snorkelling, with the Toadies making the most of the beach stops with the hot weather. Wednesday afternoon ended with some hilarious skits from the Toadies – we certainly had a talented bunch on camp!

The Toadies were also visited by SLSWA President Craig Smith-Gander; Board Member Garry Williams, and Chairman of the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA (SMCFWA), George Rogers.

The SMCFWA has long been a supporter of our youth programs and once again it was wonderful to have them along to camp where they presented the group with a cheque representing their ongoing support for SLSWA and our youth members.

On Thursday the camp was concluded with the infamous Great Rotto Race, where Toadies competed in groups to solve a series of Island related questions, using their skills acquired on the Radio Operators Course to keep the Camp Leaders updated on their progress.

As well as fun activities, all 71 Toadies completed and achieved their Radio Operator Certificate!

At the same time as TOAD Camp, 47 U17 members from 27 clubs ventured to Pemberton Camp School for the equally popular Rise Up Camp.

The happy campers spent four days on camp, each day filled with various challenging (and oftentimes hilarious) activities such as constructing rafts which then needed to be paddled (while staying relatively afloat) across a stretch of water. While the sand dunes on the first day proved challenging in the heat, the canoeing and Pemberton freshwater pool was a favourite – especially in the 30°+ heat!

During the camp, 41 participants also gained their Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate!

With friendships between members from all around the state formed, another successful year of Rise Up was had!

We once again extend our thanks to the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of Western Australia for their support which make these camps possible for our young members.

These camps continue to provide an invaluable opportunity for our members to develop their teamwork and leadership skills, whilst forging lasting inter-club friendships. We hope all participants left the camps inspired and determined, working together and using their new skills to make a positive difference in their communities.

Find out more about our annual youth camps here.