Annual camps continue to inspire & develop youth members

More than 130 youth members took part in this season’s highly popular youth camps – TOAD & Rise Up.

TOAD Camp

Earlier this month, 72 U14 & U15 members from 28 clubs headed to Ern Halliday Recreation Camp for the annual TOAD (Teamwork, Opportunities and Development) Camp! Braving a series of hot days, there was excitement and plenty of nerves at the beginning, but by the end of the week, the newfound confidence (proven by some interesting skit performances!) and new friendships were evident!

Teams worked together to challenge themselves and their leadership skills through crate-climbs, rock climbing, the flying fox and a giant swing. Participants also had to lead a blindfolded team through a set course, problem solve several structural challenges with newspaper and spaghetti and trust each other to shave a balloon on top of their heads without it bursting!

Sorrento SLSC Youth, coordinated by Jeff Baxter, hosted a successful beach day for the TOAD’ies on Wednesday with relays, first aid scenarios, frisbee and IRB/RWC familiarisation. Thank you Sorrento for a fantastic day!

As well as fun activities, every happy camper completed their Radio Operators Certificate. While most participants had been introduced to radios during their SRC training, they felt nervous about the possibility of using the radios on patrol. Completing their Radio Operators Certificate built their confidence in using the radios in a range of scenarios.

On Friday, the camp concluded with an Amazing Race – practising their radio skills, identifying BEN signs, completing team challenges and responding to first aid scenarios.

Rise Up Camp

In the week leading up to Christmas, 61 U17 members from 27 clubs ventured to Point Peron Camp School for the equally popular four days Rise Up Camp.

With Point Peron Camp School perched on the beachside, activities took full advantage of the coastal access; each day filled with various activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, archery, abseiling, bike riding and even building a raft and testing its seaworthiness!

Outweighing all other activities for teamwork and sheer determination was the Crate Stack, with this year’s campers breaking the record with 19 towered, only to be broken again shortly after with a whopping 21, setting a big challenge for future campers! During the activity, some great leadership skills were also developed.

On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome guests from the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA (SMCFWA). 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 for $30,000 representing their ongoing support for SLSWA and our youth members.

During the camp, all participants also completed the National accredited HLTAID007 Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate!

Here’s what some of this year’s participants had to say about Rise Up Camp 2021:

“It was by far the best four days of my life, in fact, we have already made plans for a trip down south for our team to catch up again. At the start of the camp you said you make lifelong friends on Rise Up camp, and I didn’t think that would actually be true, but I was wrong!”

“I’ve met so many new friends and really didn’t think I was going to enjoy myself. But the set-up had a good balance of free time and doing the challenges/activities.”

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.