A spring adventure awaits with Surf Coast Outdoor’s program

The Surf Coast Outdoor Adventure Kids program (SOAK) is running for three days in each week of the July school holidays: September 25-27 and the October 1-3.

The focus being to get kids 6-12 years outdoors having a different adventure each day.

SOAK’s school holiday program is playbased and child-led.

A SOAK spokesperson said that each morning participants will meet at the campfire and talk about their plans for the day.

“We’ll see where the adventure takes us and what we find.

“What we see and what we discover each day will include a mixture of nature play, environmental and adventure activities.

“This may include a selection of cubby building, tree climbing, mud play, build your own zip line, nature craft, bush cooking, mountain bike riding, yabby netting, low ropes course, rockpool ramble, beach play, estuary discovery, kitchen garden, canoeing plus loads more outdoor fun!

“We all know getting outside is great for our physical health and mental wellbeing.”

SOAK is all about fun but it also promotes the required developmental skills of the 21st century or the four Cs: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Critical Thinking.

These four Cs combined with real life skills and connecting to the natural world enables resilience, lifelong learning and sense of place.

During the school term kids spend a lot of time indoors and engaged in highly organised and controlled activities, so the holidays are a great chance for lots of independent play outside.

Nature affords children the time, space and tools to be and test themselves. Children who play outdoors connect to their environment through the weather, flora and fauna.

This sense of place creates a foundation for a child’s will, a sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of their role in the world and ultimately a lifelong desire to protect it.

“Our program is run by our qualified and passionate staff at YMCA Kids Go Bush with programs based at Anglesea Recreation Camp.

“We run Bush Playgroup, Kindergarten and Day-Care Excursions, Family nature play days/events and our school holiday day camps.”

For further information, phone YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp on 5263 1512. You can also find SOAK on Facebook @ YMCA Kids Go Bush. Bookings can be made via eventbrite.com.au. Look up “Anglesea” or “Kids”.