Growing and thriving through outdoor play and adventure

AT the Y Anglesea Discovery Camp, the focus is to get young people outdoors and learning, challenging comfort zones and connecting with the natural world around them.

The outdoors is a tool – youth development and adventure are stepping stones for a healthy lifestyle.

When afforded time, space and inspiration, children and young people connect outdoors to collaborate, think critically, build confidence, be creative and build competence in real world learning opportunities and personal growth across the ages.

The Y Anglesea Discover Camp has options for young people to try new things, learn and stay connected both in single school holiday sessions and in term-based programs. There is something to inspire all young people to get active and inspired in the local area.

The Kids Go Bush Team is running ‘Forest Skills Holiday Estuary Days’, focusing on connecting with the river environment through adventure, paddle skills and environmental awareness. Choose a raft construction to design, lash together and float a raft or canoe journey around the estuary where kids will take their lunch, explore and learn strokes for the day.

The team is also running ‘Family Nature Play’ events for early years ages and siblings. These are great one-off events for the whole family to connect with others and spend time outdoors. Themes include journey sticks, bush cooking and tool workshops. Single sessions are a great introduction to the term-based bush playgroups that operate every day of the week.

The Camp Program Team is running a ‘School’s Out’ program. Young people aged six to 14 will experience three adventurous activities over the day. These may include vertical climb, mountain bike, team challenge, bouldering, bush cooking, games, archery or the giant swing. The program team is all about fun but also promotes social and personal growth skills in young people as they expand comfort zones and try new activities.

During the term, the Kids Go Bush team runs drop off Forest Skills Midweek Term Programs for independent learners wanting to leap into independent outdoor play on a weekly basis, for ages four to 14 on Thursday and Fridays and a mini program for age four to six on Monday afternoons. Forest skills learners immerse themselves in interest-based outdoor learning, including cubby building, tree climbing, zip line, nature weaving/craft, bushcraft tools, whittling, bush cooking, survival and camping skills plus loads more outdoor fun. The day starts as a community and is led by the young people, allowing time to be immersed and inspired in the bush. A child-focused and unscheduled timeframe throughout the day allows progressive development of real-life skills, learning by doing, and focus on initiative, problem solving creativity, communication and bushcraft skill development.

Bookings are now open via ymcavic.venue360.me/public/events/homepage

For more information, phone YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp on 5263 1512, or head to Instagram at @YMCA Kids Go Bush and facebook.com/theYAngleseaDiscoveryCamp

Regardless of age, learning through play is fun and engaging, plus being outside and making friends is great for physical and mental health. Join the team these holidays or during the term.