Uniting Church Camping’s Norval camp has teamed up with several communities across the region to create an opportunity for twelve young people to have a wilderness experience in the Grampians National Park. Teamwork, self respect, practical skill development, care of the environment and leadership are all part of the experience for the young people from the communities of Warracknabeal, Stawell, Ararat and St. Arnaud.

Participants have attended the first four preparation sessions where they have learned practical skills, developed friendships and worked as a team to complete the training tasks. “The participants have excelled at abseiling and the high ropes challenge” said Tony McEwan Norval’s Christian Program Coordinator, all of them have learned a lot more than the ropes, they have even learned to cook in the outdoors Tony said.

The preparation sessions are designed to get the group ready to complete a four day wilderness journey in October, this journey will include camping in tents at remote camps, hiking, abseiling, mountain bike trek and rock climbing. All of the participants will have to rely on each other as well as their own abilities to complete the program. The journey and the preparatory sessions are designed to create a sense of community among the young participants and the program leaders. The program is titled LINKS because it aims to strengthen the links between young people, between young people and adults in their community and also between young people and the environment.

LINKS is funded by the Uniting Church Lenten appeal, Wimmera School Focused Youth Service and the Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network.  “We are very excited about this program” said network chief executive, David Wheaton.  “Links has brought together several oganisations to provide a life affirming experience for all of the participants.”

Norval has partnered with On Track Learning, LenZone Stawell, Warracknabeal Secondary College, Yarriambiack Shire Council, Victoria Police, Ballarat Group Training Pathways program and Wimmera School Focused Youth Service to provide this opportunity for young people from across the region.

For information on this project and other community support programs provided by Uniting Church Camping please contact Tony McEwan at Norval (Halls Gap) on 5356 4241.