Things that matter to us: Hospitality

06/01/2011 | lovefeasts

A series on the guiding principles of QCCC’s camping philosophy.

Fully catered camping in Queensland — Excellence in food is an important part of the QCCC service

Food is the basic staple of human survival but it’s so much more than that. According to history, medieval priests “ministered” to travelers by providing shelter from the cold and nourishment in the form of hot soup. Eventually this soup became known as ‘Minestrone’, from the Latin word for service, because this kindness was offered in Christ’s name as a service or ministry to needy travelers.

“Ministry” has traditionally been (a) any service to people (b) done in Christ’s name (c) at a sacrifice – the soup was free to travelers. (J. Gibson – Ministry and Worship).

QCCC exists to serve – to “minister” to individuals & groups – through hospitality & service. When used in the Bible this implies responsibilities well beyond the provision of food and lodging; i.e. courtesy, care and attention to other needs.

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Cruising the Obi

09/12/2010 | lovefeasts

Paddling Obi Obi Creek — The toughest part of the trip - shooting a farm causeway.

It’s been a huge year across QCCC. Mapleton alone has hosted nearly 300 different groups of guests through the course of the year. Brookfield has had its busiest year ever and Tamborine has also hosted hundreds of groups and played a part in some major events on Tamborine Mountain.

As the schools head into their Summer holidays the whole of QCCC gets just a few weeks of hiatus. Australia’s camping industry is the opposite to the American model, where the prime-time for their camping programs is over the northern hemisphere summer. In Australia the summer period leading into Christmas is the quietest time of year. On Boxing Day Mapleton kicks off its Summer Holiday Family Program and shortly after QCCC Tamborine’s accommodation gets used for the Tamborine Summer Convention. Brookfield has several church, youth group and craft camps in January.

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Making the news

23/11/2010 | lovefeasts

The Hinterland Times is a monthly publication covering the Blackall Range (home of QCCC Mapleton) and the areas immediately inland from the Sunshine Coast (eg the small towns around the Glasshouse Mountains like Beerwah and Landsborough).

Each month the Times has a column called “Tree Changers” featuring people who have recently re-located to the Hinterland from further away, asking them why they have relocated and what they like about living in their new location.

Anyone who has visited QCCC Mapleton would need no convincing that moving to the Blackall Range is not a tough ask. The rain-forest beauty of the mountains in such close proximity to the large population areas of South East Queensland is exactly what makes Mapleton one of Queensland’s most sought after destinations for camping and conferencing.

The November edition of the Hinterland Times featured our very own Director of Camping, Andrew Grant and wife Anne, talking about their relocation from Dubbo to Mapleton to assume the position.

It can be found online here: http://www.hinterlandtimes.com.au/2010/11/04/andrew-anne-grant/

Job vacancies at Mapleton

03/11/2010 | lovefeasts

It’s not uncommon for a camper leaving one of our sites to tearfully express their resolve to return one day – to work. If you’ve been in that category, here’s your chance!

Climbing wall for schools — QCCC Mapleton has an extensive range of outdoor education focussed adventure activities for guests to enjoy.

An opportunity exists for enthusiastic people to be involved in a Christian workplace (QCCC Mapleton) providing outdoor education programs to school groups. The casual positions involve supervising and facilitating students, from grade 3 to grade 12.

Activities such as initiative games and team building, canoeing, archery, raft building, climbing, abseiling, high ropes and bushwalking are used to teach and promote a Christian values-based program. To a lesser extent, rostered Kitchen and Maintenance work forms part of the role.

Applicants need to be self motivated team players, willing to work rostered weekends, possible early mornings and public holidays. Experience in teaching, outdoor education or youth work is essential.

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Outdoor Education the Mapleton Way

15/10/2010 | lovefeasts

Queensland Conference and Camping Centres (QCCC) Mapleton proudly takes an holistic approach to its outdoor education programs.

We have a team of highly qualified, full-time, outdoor educators whose sole purpose is to provide programs of excellence that build into the lives and programs of our guests. Because of this QCCC Mapleton cannot always match the monetary price of the other options but we will always back our safety record and the quality of our product and experience.

Mapleton Centre’s programmed activities are perfect for school, corporate, youth and family groups whose goals are to have fun while challenging themselves by stepping out of their everyday environment.

Built within our spectacular rainforest setting, high on the Blackall Range, our guests enjoy a wide range of challenges and activities that promote teamwork, communication and build self confidence. Our activities are a great opportunity for people of all ages to embark on a uniquely different series of mental and physical activities that will challenge you as an individual and groups as a whole. Our guests choose from the following activities:

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Carnival Night

01/10/2010 | mzilikazi

We’ve just waved goodbye to the latest Mapleton Adventure camp and we really hope that each child takes away with them amazing memories of fun, mayhem and friendship.

One of the stand-outs of the September MAC is Carnival night. This is the first September MAC I’ve been involved with, and I have to confess I was impressed with its scale and impact. I now understand why the QCCC staff (and their kids) eagerly awaits each MAC, and why Carnival night is an event on the calendar not to be missed.

Through the year hard-working volunteers comb through stores in Brisbane taking hold of a massive range of plastic toys, food nearing its use-by-date and anything else that might please a child’s heart.

The campers come into Kirkwood Hall that has as its centerpiece a giant jumping castle, a visual centre piece that sets the carnival atmosphere. Each child is given a show bag stacked with goodies and a bag of plastic tokens.

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Our Director

02/09/2010 | lovefeasts

Queensland Conference and Camping Centre’s newly appointed Director of Camping is 39 year-old Andrew Grant.

Camping Queensland — QCCC's new Director of Camping, Andrew Grant

Andrew was appointed to the position in late 2009 response to the growing success of QCCC’s three main sites. His role is to oversee operations at its three South East Queensland facilities, ensure that QCCC maintains its high standards and take responsibility for the development of new programs and services.

Andrew and his family, wife Anne and three boys Joseph, Timothy and Elijah moved to Mapleton from Dubbo, NSW, where Andrew was the Director of Business and Finance with Cornerstone Community. Andrew’s previous role included being a franchisee of two outlets of Domino’s Pizza and provided a thorough grounding in the business and youth work roles essential to a successful camping operation.

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