Programs at Camp Quaranup

General information

By incorporating participation in recreation and physical activity during camping experiences, recreation programs help guests experience new activities, learn or develop new skills, explore the benefits of physical activity and promote the maintenance of healthy lifestyles.

Challenge by Choice

All camp instructors facilitate programs in accordance with the philosophy of Challenge by Choice. This is based on experiential learning theory, which we define as being able to undertake an experience that a participant can relate back to their life or existing lifestyle in a positive way.

There is an understanding that everyone has varying thresholds for challenge and these challenges can range in their nature and variety. We aim to provide an experience that enables participants to determine their own level of challenge and broaden and develop their perceived limitations through participation in adventure activities both in individual and team environments.

All camps staff will aim to provide a safe experience in which the participant can explore and extend their abilities and limitations. Our Department Camps Program Standards and Instructor Code of Ethics encompass that overriding intent. Participation through excessive pressure and intimidation will not be supported.  

This ethos recognises that the attempt is more significant than the result.

Canoeing (school year 5 +)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Participants are guided through basic canoe maneuverability and safety aspects, including the techniques of rafting up and capsize recovery. Each participant is provided with a personal flotation device (PFD) and a paddle. During the session, participants may be involved in a number of activities including shuttle and obstacle course races, balancing challenges or simply a leisurely paddle on the Princess Royal Harbour.

Raft making (school year 4+)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Each participant is provided with a personal flotation device (PFD) and a paddle. Participants are given advice on how to construct rafts using ropes, planks and drums. They then build rafts in teams in preparation for a major paddle challenge. This program is a unique team-building activity aimed at encouraging a group to work together more effectively.

Swimming supervision (school year 4+)

• Duration: 1 hour
• Supervision for swimming can be provided to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
• Staff hold a Surf Rescue Certificate and a First Aid Certificate as a minimum.

Archery (school year 4+)

• Duration: 1.5 hours 
• Archery is a challenging recreation program that tests participants aim and patience. Using recurve bows, participants shoot for Olympic-style bulls-eye targets and develop their technique. Participants will learn the different parts of the bow and arrows and will be shown correct procedure and technique for loading and releasing.
• This program may be modified to accommodate participants with mobility restrictions. This must be discussed with your program coordinator well in advance of your camp.

Bushwalking (school year 3 +)

Uredale Point / Point Possession bush walk

The Uredale Point Heritage Trail is a 1.6km walk from Camp Quaranup to Uredale Point / Point Possession, where Captain George Vancouver explored in 1791. Walkers visit maritime heritage sites, secluded beaches and enjoy superb views of the harbour and the town. This trail is an ideal way of familiarizing yourself with the geography of Albany, its surrounds and some of its history (90-min return trip).

Quarantine Hill bush walk

• Duration: 1 hour
• Participants walk along bush and granite tracks to the highest point on the Vancouver Peninsula, climbing the Quaranup Hill tower to enjoy spectacular 360 degree views of Princess Royal Harbour, King George Sound, Albany township and the surrounds. The track returns around the back of Quaranup Hill before following the harbour side back to camp.

Geocaching (school year 4+)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Geocaching is a navigational challenge which requires participants to use a GPS and control descriptors to find geocaches hidden within the camp grounds and surrounding bush land. Each geocache is allocated a word, which is recorded by the groups as they discover them, with the aim of finding as many geocaches as possible. An introduction to geocaching in the wider community, 'where to from here', is provided during the debrief.

Kite making – self directed (school year 3+)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Participants are provided with the materials and instruction to design, decorate, construct and fly their very own kite, with the ability to fly over 15m in the sky.
• Can be modified to suit mobility restrictions. This must be discussed with the camp well in advance of your arrival.

Rogaining (school year 4 +)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Rogaining requires participants in groups to use a topographical map and control descriptors to find markers hidden within the camp grounds and surrounding bush land. Each marker is allocated a number of points, requiring participants to work together effectively to plan their route in order to achieve the most points possible within the set time period.

Team building (school year 3+)

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• This program is a collection of team challenges designed to make participants think outside the square to solve an array of problems. The problems are designed to develop and improve group skills. Improved communication, cooperation, trust and leadership can be achieved through this program.

Self-directed activities