“I Can Do That!”

Student Conservation Camp

This is a sample program and changes are likely – we will endeavour to keep you posted.

The Student Conservation Camp is based on a ‘Kids Teaching Kids’ model and gives studentsthe opportunity to learn about, and share, local and global conservation issues/actions.

Aim:To bring student representatives from the Surf Coast and Bellarine region together to:

  • Experience the beauty and uniqueness of their local coastal environment
  • Find out about local environmental/conservation issues
  • Gain ideas for positive environmental action through student led workshops, to share with their school community.

Through keynote speakers, hands on student led workshops and field trips, conference participants will learn that:

  • The local environment is made up of varying habitats, all of which are unique. These places support high levels of biodiversity which deserve protection
  • People have been associated with the land for greater than 40,000 years. We can learn a great deal from the local indigenous community
  • Humans can have a negative impact on the environment, but how can we make a positive change?
  • There are many organisations that can help us in tackling these issues.

Day 1: Issues Affecting Our Environment

9:45Arrive at Anglesea Recreation Camp

10:00Assemble in recreation room or gym

Camp orientation – Camp Manager

10:10Getting to know you activity

10:30Morning Tea (BYO)

10:45Conference Opening: Aboriginal Welcome by Murrundindi, elder of the Wurundjeri and direct descendant of William Barrak, elder who signed the 1835 treaty with John Batman.

Keynote presentation – “The Spirit of the Land” Murrundindi

11:15Work shop sessions

Workshop 1 / Aboriginal boomerang throwing - led by Murrundindi
Workshop 2 / Closing the Circle – growing, cooking, eating and recycling! YMCA staff
Workshop 3 / Local organisation e.g. Parks Vic, Water watch, Barwon Water, MDC, TBC
Workshop 1 / Workshop 2 / Workshop 3
11:15 / Group 1 / Group 2 / Group 3
11:45 / Group 3 / Group 1 / Group 2
12:15 / Group 2 / Group 3 / Group 1

12:45Aboriginal Dance – Closing remarks by Murrundindi

1:00Cabin allocation and Lunch – wood oven pizzas made by students

2:00Students set up workshops

Assemble in Gym for student workshop allocations – this is the key component of the camp – we would like all schools attending to prepare and present at least one workshop highlighting an environmental/sustainable initiative at their school. In turn students will experience from other students, ideas for their own schools to take away with them and hopefully implement.

2:30 Ideas for Action – Student Led Workshops– Participants do two of the following.These sessions will be confirmed at camp (these are examples of past workshops)

  • Animals at School ‘Meet the Keeper & Walk through aviary’ – Torquay College
  • A Frog Friendly Schoolyard - Frogs –Torquay College
  • Café – Vegies and Chooks at School –– Torquay College
  • Energy Cops, Look Out Look Out – Bellbrae PS
  • Our School Gardens - St Thomas School

Quick share after each presentation (facilitated by teacher) – positives, constructive and action for their school.

3:30Students attend second workshop

4:30Sharing session / afternoon snack

5:00Free time

6:00Dinner

7:15Series of field trip activities – “Night Life in the Bush.”

Led by Ecologic Environmental Tours.

Time / Group Flounder
David. S and Elizabeth / Group Bream
Cecilia and Natasha / Group Salmon
Karly and Maddie / Group Barracouda
David and Stephen
7.30-8.10 / Possum prowl / Bush Tucker/ games / Campfire damper / Bush animals
8.10-8.50 / Campfire damper / Possum prowl / Bush animals / Possum prowl
8.50-9.30 / Bush animals / Campfire damper / Possum prowl / Bush Tucker/ games

10:00Snack / Bed

Day 2: Ideas for Action

7:45Clean up camp facilities and pack up

8:00Breakfast

9:30Assemble in Gym

9:30Ideas for Action Workshops (up to 45min) – participants do two of the following. Each workshop will be presented twice. These sessions will be confirmed at camp.(These again are examples of past workshops)

  • A Frog Friendly Schoolyard - Frogs –Torquay College
  • Animals Homes – Torquay College
  • Marine Warriors - Ponding – Torquay College
  • The Incredible Edible Garden, Eat EatEat – Bellbrae PS
  • Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary – Aireys Inlet Campus

Quick share after each presentation (facilitated by teacher) – positives, constructive and action for their school.

10:30Morning tea

11:00Ideas for Action – Student Led Workshops (up to 45min) – Participants do second workshop.

12:00Sharing session

12:30Lunch

1:30Where to From Here?

Mini forums and student evaluation – participants break into groups to discuss their ideas for action within their school communities. Ideas are to be collated and later presented to the other groups. Teachers will act as facilitators.

2:15 Presentation of ideas to whole conference

3:00Summing up/appreciations and conclusion

3:15Depart camp