Bellarine cohort successfully complete prestigious Licola Camp

SEVEN students from Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads challenged themselves on a flying fox, giant swing and canoeing in the fun and educational environment at Lions Licola Camp.

More than 100 sponsored children from Victoria and southern New South Wales made their way to East Gippsland to take part in the camp.

Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove primary school participants Ollie, Brock, Blake, Albert, Rhys, Harry and Jack attended the five-day camp for all children from January 17 to January 22.

Principals selected each student from their respective schools to attend the camp and participate in team-building exercises designed to enhance personal development.

Dedicated volunteers, including John Claringbold from the Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads, supervised students during the camp which has been helping students rise to their full potential since 1973.

Mr Claringbold said staff members at Licola support children with positive guidance, encouraging them to do their best and to support their team members in the various activities.

“The main thing this camp does is give these kids a bit more resilience and a bit more self-confidence,” he said.

“All the activities, about 25 of them, participants take part in, challenge them in a different way. It’s all about having a go and these kids between eight- and eleven-years-old feel so accomplished once they conquer any fears.”

The Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads has provided children with the opportunity to attend Lions Licola Camp for more than a decade, a sought-after experience thanks to Mr Claringbold’s efforts.

“Absolutely, it’s a privilege to attend this camp. The kids we send are all sponsored, so it doesn’t cost the parents a cent,” Mr Claringbold added.

“My main role is to reach out to local businesses in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove and ask them to sponsor the kids that go to Licola.

“It’s a really high priority for our Lions Club and we are really proud to send up to 10 kids up there each year and we’ll continue to do so for as long as we can.”

Opportunities to sponsor a child to attend Lions Licola in 2023 are now open. To do so, contact John Claringbold on 0425 750 387.