KRWC Camp Leadership Wellbeing Resilience close to Melbourne for School group accommodation conference retreat teambuilding offsites Victoria Yarra Valley

Camberwell High

May 2018, 200 Year 9 Students

Despite some difficult weather conditions, the Year 9 cohort from Camberwell High School had an amazing experience at Kinglake Ranges Wilderness Camp again in 2018.

Favourite adventure activities, including the ropes course and hike, encouraged the students to push out of their physical comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment. The meditation and “About Me” sessions allowed opportunities for emotional development and bonding within small groups.

Other activities throughout camp were designed to develop students’ co-operation, collaboration, communication and teamwork skills, which of course are invaluable. Watching the individual growth in these areas over the three days was extraordinary.

The camp staff were, in all circumstances, amazing. The understanding and support they showed to all students during the activities was commendable, and they went above and beyond to ensure all were engaging with the challenges and getting the most out of the camp experience.

A sincere thank you to all involved in making this camp such a resounding success.

Renee Gordon

Year 9 Student Learning Leader

Camberwell High
Eltham High School, May 2018

Eltham High School, again took advantage of the program at Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp in 2018. Colin, Steve and the rest of the crew worked extremely hard to provide an engaging program that challenged our students to push them selves out of their comfort zones. Our kids formed new friendships, engaged with their facilitators and teachers building strong relationships and came away from their experience with a host of new memories. Each group learned to recognise not only their own strengths but the strengths in others that they worked with and built a culture of positive reinforcement and a growth mind set. Steve worked closely with us to deal with the challenges that come with bringing up a huge cohort of year 9 students and made sure the entire program ran smoothly for the duration of the camp. On return to school the next week I my-self heard more than one student exclaim that this was the best camp they’d ever been on.

We here at Eltham High School extend our most sincere thanks to the team at KFA for their hard work and the friendly atmosphere they created for us.

Simon Maurdev, Eltham High School

Eltham High School
Mentone Girls Grammar

February 2018, Year 7, 80 Participants.

“On behalf of my team and the school, I would like to thank you and your team for providing such a professional and high standard service. We share a lot in terms of our vision in providing the challenging but entertaining experience to push students’ comfort zone and learn more about themselves. I have received so many positive feedback from both school, students and their parents that students had a very good time.

I also appreciate your flexibility and understanding to accommodate our dynamic and demanding environment as it comes to the student’s well-being and health. ”

Ellie Beni, Head of Year 7

Mentone Girls Grammar
Our school has the opportunity to attend the camp at the beginning of the year as part of their transition program. The Year 7 students begin the camp quite shy and unsure but with the great leadership of the camp leaders and the activities that the students partake in, the students develop and come back to school with a enthusiastic and can do approach.

Melissa Robinson, February 2016.

Wheelers Hill Year 7 Orientation
Cheltenham Secondary

February, 2016. Leadership Camp.

“Thanks KRWC for an absolute legendary camp!! The leadership students of Cheltenham Secondary College got so much out of each and every aspect of your camp. From the Wildergaining, to the Tree Talk, to the staff, we really grew to learn and understand to a deeper level what leadership is to each of us. KRWC provided a warm, fun and enlightening experience for us all!!The staff at KRWC were amazing! Greeted with warm smiles and fun icebreakers we knew we were in great hands. Then in smaller groups later they helped us to learn more about leadership styles, ourselves and our group members. During these group times the staff helped to create an environment that made us comfortable to share encouragement and ideas about leadership with each other without feeling judged.

Throughout the camp the cooking staff would outdo themselves time and time again, holding nothing back, providing us with nutritious and delicious meals to keep us sustained each day.

I’m sure we all really appreciated the beauty of the environment that this camp is situated in. Doing the smaller group activities was made significantly better just because of the native, natural environment. The accommodation was perfectly adequate for us all. And we all loved the Mac on the wall with our school logo on it and the other welcoming touches around the main room also.

In all the games and activities we did, we were pushed and stretched in different ways, helping us to gain more confidence in ourselves and others also. The fun level for all these games and activities were “off the Richter Scale”!!! We all learnt to function as a team better and learnt valuable lessons that can be applied to many leadership opportunities we may be presented with both now and in the future ahead of us.“

Tara O’Neill, Year 12 Public Relations, Cheltenham Secondary College

Cheltenham Secondary
Toorak College

November 2015, 65 Participants.

“Col and the KRWC team were instrumental in making our Year 12 Orientation Camp a success. The program was carefully planned by Col in order to support the cohort’s well being, connectedness and understanding of themselves. The group leaders quickly developed a positive rapport with our students, and they also created safe group environments. This empowered the girls to share their ideas and take that leap (literally and metaphorically) outside their comfort zones. Particular highlights were the guided meditation in the beautiful, serene setting and the wildergaining on the final day. A special mention, too, to the behind the scenes team at KRWC. The food was unanimously voted “the best camp food ever” by our students! Thank you, Col, for your expertise, care and enthusiasm. I feel confident that all of the girls came away from camp having learned something – be it about themselves, how to navigate group dynamics, or how they might be able to prioritise their well being – to assist them in their final year of school. ”

Kelly Robertson, Head of Year 11.

Toorak College
August, 2015.

“Hi Colin and Michelle,
Many thanks for the fantastic experience you provided to our students, staff and parent helpers last week at your camp. All of the students have been talking about their time away and have returned to school, renewed, fresh and full of vigour. It is a testament to your thorough planning and organisation skills, that these camps are successful, happy and enjoyable.

The staff you have employed are extremely caring about the students they work with in the small groups. They not only encourage the students to go beyond their limits, they reward all of their efforts, whilst completing the challenges they face.”

Liz Moody

Moonee Ponds Primary
Mentone Girls Grammar

February 2015, Year 7, 80 Participants.

“The Kinglake Ranges Wilderness Camp was the best camp experience I have had in 25 years teaching experience. The quality of the accommodation, activities, staff and meals could not be faulted on any level. Staff were unfailingly polite, helpful and supportive of both staff and students. Of particular merit were the catering staff who coped amiably, efficiently and effectively with a large number of students with dietary requirements. The program of activities ensured that the students had the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence, and also challenge them to go outside of their comfort zones. Every student had the chance to shine and to experience success, whether it was in overcoming a fear of heights, showcasing their musical talents, facing their ‘insect fears’ while camping in the bush or learning how to work more inclusively in a team.
As we returned to school, the atmosphere in the bus was one of contented exhaustion and pride (both students and staff!!!!)“

Jennie Oliver

Mentone Girls Grammar
Kew High, June 2014.

The Kew High School students and staff just want to thank you all for a wonderful camp this year.

At all times you all displayed the highest quality professional and organisational skills that are required to deliver an outstanding program. Your attention to detail and ability to adhere to strict regulations and controls is clearly evidenced by the care given to our students. All agree that it is the best camp with great food and lots of fun – let’s hope no wind next year. We look forward to coming back next year!

Kew High
Katherine Smith - Middle School Leader
Penola Catholic College

March 2014, 280 Year 9.

Hi Colin and all staff at KRWC,

Just wanted to say a huge thanks to you all for running such an organised camp for our students.

We all felt really welcomed by all the staff and appreciated all the hard work that you guys do in ensuring a successful and fun camp for the kids.

In particular, thanks to you Colin for all the organisational work you did in the lead up to the camp and for your supervision in ensuring all ran smoothly. Thanks to all your staff who ran the various activities (both on mainstream and survivor camps). A huge thanks to Michelle and the kitchen staff for feeding us all and being so caring of students with dietary/health requirements.

We really appreciate all the work you guys put in for us!

We hope all is well and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Lisa Grech, Year 9 Coordinator.

Penola Catholic College
Shelford Girls Grammar

February 2014, Year 8, 60 Participants.

Our Year 8s absolutely loved the challenging, thrilling and thought-provoking Young Rhythms Program at Kinglake! What an amazing week… The skills they gained from their camp experience are so important at this stage in their development, and link in perfectly with our approach to pastoral care here at school. The program run so smoothly and it was a joy to work with such a capable team throughout the week! Thank you!!

Alison Reid, Year 8 Co-ordinator.

Shelford Girls Grammar