School camps

QCCC Tamborine hits 600!

Tent Camping Queensland Schools
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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

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  • 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 Tamborine ideal for Grade 7 “bonding” camps

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With Grade 7 moving into High Schools in 2015 QCCC Tamborine is the ideal venue to consider for schools to establish a tradition of memorable Grade 7 “bonding” camps. Entering High School is always a big transition and schools will be drawing their cohort from multiple Primary Schools. Camp is a great way to “bond” an incoming Grade 7 cohort, setting them up to not just survive High School, but to thrive.

QCCC Tamborine’s size and flexibility means it’s well positioned to entertain Grade Seven, particularly for large schools searching for a campsite to cater to big groups. Not only does Tamborine boast 350 beds, there is also provision for another 150 students to camp in tents, providing a frontier feel to programs. QCCC Tamborine has 35 acres of glorious property overlooking Brisbane and Moreton Island, ideal for recreation, games and outdoor education. And it’s only a short drive away from the major Gold Coast theme parks for groups looking for a fun day out.

As a fully catered facility Tamborine can make your Grade 7 bonding camp easy, memorable and significant. For more details contact QCCC Tamborine or download our Grade 7 Camping Brochure and Information Sheet here.

QCCC wins major Outdoor Education Award

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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.

Continue reading →

Australian Curriculum Activities in 2013

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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.

Continue reading →

Cultural Awareness programs now available at Mapleton

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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.

Continue reading →

QCCC expands to cope with schools demand

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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. 

Continue reading →

Oh Canada

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26 ANZers in the Rockies

In July our Director of Camping participated on a Study Tour of Canadian campsites, just as their big Summer programs were kicking off.  Here are some of his reflections on camping in Canada:

So I’ve spent most of the past two weeks touring Canada, looking at some of their camping ministries just as they hit the full stride of their Summer camping season. We’ve so far visited more than twenty sites across three Provinces, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.

The Canadian preparation for the Summer is impressive. Admittedly it’s a nine week window where the average campsite has to make hay while the sun shines (literally). Most sites bring their camp leadership in for at least a week before the camps get underway, a week of intentional input, relationship building and preparation for what lies ahead. Continue reading →

Aaron Parry plays QCCC Tamborine

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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.

Continue reading →