QCCC Tamborine hits 600!

Tent Camping Queensland Schools
LArge School Campsite Queensland
Outdoor Education at QCCC’s Mountain Campus

I’m a graduate of Townsville’s Kirwan State High School, back in the day when it was one of the largest State Schools in Queensland. In the early grades there were nearly 500 of us in each year level and even in Grade 12 we numbered more than 300. With the exception of some theme specific camps (eg Biology and Leadership Camps) the sheer size of each of our cohorts meant we were denied the opportunity of a camping program.

Since becoming Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres (QCCC) one of my driving desires has been to make sure no Queensland school student is denied the opportunity of a camping program on the basis of the size of their cohort. I’m pleased to announce a campsite capable of catering to the largest of year groups in Queensland schools. Through greater collaboration with adjoining facilities our Mountain Campus at Mount Tamborine (Gold Coast Hinterland) can now cater for single group bookings of up to 600 people. Continue reading

QCCC: Key Statistics

  • Sauana school camps Queensland
    The Swimming Pool Complex at QCCC Mapleton has four pools, two slides and a sauna.

    3 sites containing a total of 800 beds – Brookfield in Brisbane (150 beds), Mapleton on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (300 beds) and Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast Hinterland (350 beds).

  • Growing offsite expeditions offered in Queensland and Northern NSW.
  • Largest single provider of Outdoor Education Programs in Queensland.
  • Catering to 50,000 guests annually (1000 per week on average).
  • More than 300,000 meals served annually.
  • Partnering with over 400 school groups annually.
  • Capable of offering a differentiated sequential program for schools – on provider with different sites capable of constructing a varied program all the way from Grade 2 to Grade 12.  Continue reading

QCCC wins major Outdoor Education Award

WINNER 2013 Award Logo
Queensland Conference and Camping Centres is the winner of the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Award for Excellence in Outdoor Instruction and Education.

In a major coup for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland a local Outdoor Education Centre has received the 2013 Queensland Outdoor Recreation Award for Excellence in Outdoor Instruction and Education. Queensland Conference and Camping Centres (QCCC) are this year’s recipients of the prestigious industry award recognising excellence in Outdoor Education programs.

QCCC’s largest Outdoor Education facility has been a vital part of the Mapleton community for more than thirty years. QCCC Mapleton is one of the busiest school camping venues in Queensland entertaining 30,000 guests annually. More than 20,000 of these are school students attending camps with more than 200 individual school groups. QCCC Mapleton is one of Mapleton’s largest employers with 50 staff and a significant attraction to the local area.

QCCC Director Andrew Grant believes a large part of QCCC’s success comes from locating its largest site in the natural beauty of the Blackall Range. “There’s no doubt we enjoy a natural advantage by bringing city kids into the mountains where they’re immersed in the stunning beauty of the Range. We must have one of the most stunning classrooms in Queensland”.

Throughout 2012 QCCC Mapleton created and built eight new activities specifically designed around the Australian Curriculum. This was a staff-driven effort with the initial “draft activities” significantly altered and enhanced through the participation of staff members primarily responsible for their delivery.

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Australian Curriculum Activities in 2013

Environmental awareness school camp
QCCC Mapleton’s amazing Nature Display will feature heavily in a new activity on Environmental Awareness.

The Australian Curriculum is a major development in the Australian educational sector and QCCC have spent most of 2012 planning new and improved methods to assist schools to achieve the outcomes expected of the new regime. Now we’re hard at work building seven new activities based on the Australian Curriculum to be ready for Term One next year. 

Programs and activities developed by Mapleton’s Outdoor Education team will also make their way to QCCC’s two other sites at Brookfield and Tamborine, though with slight adaptations to make them appropriate to the client base at those Centres.

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Mapleton Family Summer Program

Summer Program Mapleton
The Mapleton pool complex is a central part of the Mapleton Family Summer Program.

Details of the 2012/13 QCCC Mapleton Family Summer Program have been released and bookings for this Summer’s event have commenced.  As QCCC Mapleton is hosting a one-off national conference later in January this year’s Summer Program has been cut to two weeks so potential guests are being encouraged to book as soon as possible to make sure they don’t miss out.

Starting on Boxing Day and continuing through to the 9th of January the Mapleton Family Summer program continues a thirty year legacy of fun, fellowship and friendships.

For two glorious summer weeks the full site and facilities of QCCC Mapleton are given over to families for hours of sunshine by the pool, a fully catered meal program and lots of activities for the kids to throw themselves into. This summer’s morning sessions of spiritual reflection and guidance will be provided by Rhys McFadden and Chris Stewart.

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Cultural Awareness programs now available at Mapleton

Cultural Awareness workshops Sunshine Coast
Cultural Awareness Workshops now available at QCCC Mapleton.

Goombuckar Dancers are available to perform night programs at schools and corporate camps at QCCC Mapleton.
The Goombuckar dance troupe consists of between 4 & 10 dancers who are descendants from the local Gubbi Gubbi people.  Song man and didgeridoo player Kerry Neill has travelled the world sharing his culture.  Now this amazing troupe performs traditional and contemporary dances from the local area and afar.

Cultural performances can be tailored to suit guest needs with up to 90 minutes of dance, cultural talks and storytelling.  Cultural performances offered include welcome to country, fire making, Didgeridoo solos and stories, aboriginal artifacts and weapons explanations and a bush food walk.

For school groups Goombuckar have a full set of Aboriginal Artifacts and the hunting techniques still used by the troupe in the bush. Bush techniques cover the main aims of bush craft (staying quiet, remembering where you are and not taking more than you need.)  Goombuckar try to ensure that this information relates to childrens’ school work and they aim to encourage learning in tactile and fun ways.

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QCCC expands to cope with schools demand

School camp Sunshine Coast Queensland
QCCC Mapleton's capacity has increased to 300 beds

Queensland Conference and Camping Centres has finalised expansions at two of its facilities.  QCCC Mapleton and QCCC Tamborine have both increased their capacity by a further 50 beds, and each site can now accommodate 300 guests at a time.

The expansion at QCCC Mapleton is particularly welcome as it is currently fully booked during school terms and turns away numerous groups seeking to access its innovative outdoor education programs.   The expansion provides the opportunity for QCCC Mapleton to cater to two extra school groups each week of the academic year.  It can also cater to larger conferences and events on the weekends.

QCCC Mapleton introduces the “Acacia Complex”.  Acacia Room A is an air-conditioned dormitory sleeping 32 guests, next to a large ablution block and not far away from the Mapleton swimming pool complex.  Acacia Rooms B-D are converted ensuite cabins, sleeping 10 people each, in air-conditioned comfort. 

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Introducing Pioneers @ Tamborine

Sunset at QCCC Pioneers

Extensive renovations on QCCC Tamborine’s newest facility are close to completion.  The QCCC Tamborine Pioneers campsite is an exciting new option for niche groups to consider on Tamborine Mountain.

QCCC Pioneers has several points of difference.  Firstly the rooms are significantly smaller than the average campsite, with the campsite containing 16 modern rooms sleeping only three people in each room (for a total capacity of 48 people).  This is likely to prove popular for adult groups who want fewer people to a room and also has significant potential for couples’ retreats.

Pioneers has also been established to be a site to cater to groups on a budget.  All QCCC sites are fully catered, but basic catering options will be available at QCCC Pioneers with fully-catered weekend packages starting at $84 per person for a two night, catered getaway. 

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Aaron Parry plays QCCC Tamborine

Aaron Parry QCCC TamborineQueensland Conference and Camping Centres are proud to partner with and promote Aaron Parry and his message in music to teenage groups. A member of staff at QCCC Tamborine, Aaron is able to perform for guest groups at Tamborine, making available his talent to connect with the heart of his generation.

At 17 years of age, Aaron Parry is a rare ambassador inspiring his generation. Aaron’s compelling story of high school bullying, suicide attempts and the rescue of heaven draws his audience towards a message of HOPE.

Throughout the year Aaron performs and shares at high school events, youth groups, public events or recovery facilities for youth. Experiences on the road and practice in serving the visions of others make it easy for Aaron to bring exactly what’s needed at any event. His servant heart and passion, affords dedication and professionalism.

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