Kids to soak up outdoor adventure

Local children and families visiting the region this summer will have the opportunity to participate in an innovative, outdoor school holiday program.

Offered over two weeks at the YMCA Recreation Camp in Anglesea, the program is designed to get children outdoors and active, providing 6- to 12-year-olds with adventures in bush craft, giant swings, canoeing, cubby building and more.

Summer Outdoor Adventure Kids (SOAK) has been developed by the YMCA in collaboration with local educators as an alternative to traditional vacation care programs. Run by qualified teachers, play workers and environmental educators, the program is designed to provide children with a mixture of nature play, environmental education and outdoor adventure experiences.

Parks Victoria Rangers and “Possum Pete” from Great Ocean Road Coast Committee will visit the camp to share knowledge about the local bush and coastline with young participants.

“We reckon kids spend all year inside at school and that holidays are for playing outside,” SOAK organiser Chloe Messner said. “At SOAK, kids play all day in the bush and at the beach, and every day is different, depending on the weather and the kids.

“It’s inspired by the childhood holidays we all remember – days filled with bike riding, swimming, climbing, building and exploring – hanging with your mates and falling into bed at night after a salty summer’s day.”

The second SOAK week will be held from January 15-19 for $300 or $70 per day.

The holiday program rounds out a yearlong offering of outdoor fun for children at the YMCA Recreation Camp, with preschool and bush kinder programs held in term time.

For information and bookings, phone YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp on 5967 2599, or head to camps.ymca.org.au/locate/anglesea.html.