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Journey Outdoor Camp for Building Teen Confidence, Resilience, and Connection Through Nature 473136975 576234938564246 5461813174948816297 n uai

14 March 2025

Journey Outdoor Camp for Building Teen Confidence, Resilience, and Connection Through Nature

by Sandra Martin

Nathan Wimhurst: 25 Years of Laughter, Leadership, and Lifelong Memories Untitled design

7 March 2025

Nathan Wimhurst: 25 Years of Laughter, Leadership, and Lifelong Memories

by The Portsea Camp

Brian Edward: A Legacy of Helping Children be Happy, Healthy, and Well Brian Edward

11 February 2025

Brian Edward: A Legacy of Helping Children be Happy, Healthy, and Well

by The Portsea Camp

A Deep Dive into Nick Martin's English Channel Fundraising Strategy Nick swim pic 246 uai

3 February 2025

A Deep Dive into Nick Martin’s English Channel Fundraising Strategy

by The Portsea Camp

Bunnings Helps Refurbish The Portsea Camp’s Western Wing Untitled design 1

10 January 2025

Bunnings Helps Refurbish The Portsea Camp’s Western Wing

by The Portsea Camp

From Garden to Table: Teaching Sustainability at The Portsea Camp Untitled design

10 January 2025

From Garden to Table: Teaching Sustainability at The Portsea Camp

by The Portsea Camp

Food Safety at Camp: 5 Essential Tips Blog Header Food Safety Week

12 November 2024

Food Safety at Camp: 5 Essential Tips

by The Portsea Camp

5 Reasons Why Outdoor Programs Are Important for Children's Development 1portsea uai

20 February 2024

5 Reasons Why Outdoor Programs Are Important for Children’s Development

by Sandra Martin

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Journey Bookings - Now Open! A dedicated adventur

Journey Bookings - Now Open!A dedicated adventure program creating space for boys to connect, grow and discover what they’re capable of.Journey is about more than the adventure itself. It’s about those moments when young people step outside their comfort zone, overcome challenges and realise they’re capable of so much more than they thought.Across 1, 3 or 5 days, boys will hike, kayak, ride, camp under the stars and learn practical outdoor skills while building confidence, resilience and genuine connections with others.Through shared challenges, teamwork and time spent outdoors, boys will have the opportunity to grow, discover their strengths and create friendships that last long after camp ends.Because every young person deserves to feel like they belong.
Journey is the dedicated space we’ve created for boys to connect, grow and discover what they’re capable of.28 September – 2 October 2026
Boys aged 8–12
Choose from 1, 3 or 5 daysBookings are now open.
Book via the link in our bio.

💗 Be Fearlessly Authentic. That was the heart of

💗 Be Fearlessly Authentic.That was the heart of this year's Vibes Wellness Program.As part of our M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Programs suite, Vibes is designed especially for girls and female-identifying young people. A space to discover strengths, build confidence, try new things and simply be surrounded by people who are cheering you on.Across the week we watched new friendships form, teamwork shine, and girls encourage one another to step outside their comfort zones.And sometimes, the best examples of that growth happen when you least expect them.At the beach, a group of girls discovered an old tyre buried in the sand. They decided they were going to dig it out.. and they did. Then they rolled it all the way up our hill. It took four hours. Four hours of digging, lifting, pushing and working together. They simply refused to stop.It was a wonderful reminder of the teamwork and resilience that had grown throughout the week, now playing out in real time.We’re reminded of the impact of each camp when we read the children's check-in statements afterwards. Alongside the stories of fun, friendship and conquering the giant swing or high ropes, some words from our junior group really stood out:"I am now brave and more confident."
"I faced my fears!"
"I healed."
"I love myself how I am."And one parent shared something that stayed with us: "I have never seen her so happy."Thank you to every girl who showed up with courage and kindness, to the parents and carers who trusted us, and to our incredible volunteers, staff and facilitators, including @colleen_callander, @theflourishjourney_ and @thereachfoundation.We’re equally grateful to the supporters who helped fund scholarships, making it possible for more young people to experience Vibes.Every child is different, and that's exactly why our M.A.D. Programs continue to grow, to create experiences that meet young people where they are and help them discover the confidence, connection and resilience that's already within them.Here's to a generation of girls who are fearlessly authentic. Go get it! 💗

More laughter. More connection. More moments that

More laughter. More connection. More moments that matter. 💙We are incredibly grateful to 𝗧𝗟𝗖 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 as we enter another year of our relationship together, helping more children experience the confidence, connection and joy that comes from camp.At a time when more families are facing barriers to accessing these opportunities, the need has never been greater.Over the past two weeks alone, 175 children joined our holiday camps, with 82% requiring scholarship support to participate.Through our Making A Difference (M.A.D) programs, with a focus on connection, confidence and wellbeing, we’re creating spaces where children can laugh, build friendships, try new things and simply enjoy being themselves.Thank you, TLC Healthcare, for helping us continue creating brighter futures for children in our community. 💙

Our matching period has now ended, but the need ce

Our matching period has now ended, but the need certainly hasn’t. Right now, 1 in 2 Australian children are still missing out on the vital benefits of camp: connection, confidence, resilience and simply the chance to be kids again.Through our Making a Difference programs, we’re working to change that by providing subsidised camp experiences for children who would otherwise miss out.Every gift, big or small, helps open the door for a child to step into nature, build friendships, and experience the joy of camp.It’s not too late to make an impact, your support can still help us provide life-changing opportunities and ensure more children don’t miss out on the moments that help shape their future.

80 Years of Camp, and Why It Still Matters. When

80 Years of Camp, and Why It Still Matters.When our gates first opened in 1946, children came to the coast for fresh air, post-war recovery, medical checks and physical challenge. Today, the world looks completely different, but our focus on supporting young people through wellbeing and outdoor adventure remains exactly the same.The reality of raising children today has fundamentally shifted. Parents are navigating a landscape that simply didn't exist a generation ago:- The Digital Environment: With recreational screen use at an all-time high, devices have become a default part of daily learning and connection.- The Physical Shift: Finding time and safe spaces for traditional, unstructured outdoor play has become increasingly difficult for busy families.Childhood has moved from the independent, outdoor-based lifestyle of the 1940s to a fast-paced, highly structured modern reality. And now, with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence shaping what children see online, navigating the digital world has become even more complex.But here is the reassuring truth: what children need at their core hasn’t changed at all. They still need confidence. Genuine connection. Real experiences with real people in real places.Time spent in nature, away from the noise and alongside peers, isn't just a holiday. It is a powerful way to build resilience and self-belief. It gives children the tactile wins and real-world grounding that help them handle the online world with confidence.As we celebrate 80 years, we see our role not just as a camp, but as a partner for parents, helping to provide the ultimate antidote to a virtual world.Read our full article for a deeper look at navigating the rise of AI and helping your child choose a beautiful, flawed reality over a pixel-perfect world: Link in Comments

The mentors, facilitators and role models behind V

The mentors, facilitators and role models behind Vibes Wellness Week are a huge part of what makes this experience so powerful.This year, girls attending Vibes will learn from and connect with an incredible lineup of facilitators including:𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛
Creating supportive, safe spaces where young people can connect, share honestly and feel a real sense of belonging.𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
Award-winning former CEO, best-selling author and founder of Callander & Co and Mentor Me Women. Colleen is passionate about helping young people build confidence, overcome self-doubt and step into their potential with courage and authenticity.𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Supporting young people through wellbeing practices, emotional growth, mindfulness and meaningful connection.Together, these experiences are designed to help girls:
- build resilience and belief in themselves
- strengthen friendships and connection
- grow self-awareness
- feel optimistic and proud of who they areCombined with adventure activities, creativity, mentoring and five unforgettable days by the coast, Vibes is designed to help girls discover just how capable they really are.🌊 High ropes & kayaking
🎨 Creative expression & journaling
🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness & wellbeing
🤝 Friendship, leadership & mentoring
💛 Confidence, resilience & connection6–10 July 2026
Ages 8–17
The Portsea CampBookings are now open.
https://www.theportseacamp.com.au/event/vibes-wellness-week/

This is what community looks like. Behind every s

This is what community looks like.Behind every successful event is a remarkable group of people willing to give their time, expertise, products, services and support to make it happen.The Chef's Charity Luncheon was a beautiful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together. From the organisers, chefs, producers and sponsors, to the businesses who donated auction and raffle prizes, the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, and every guest who attended and gave so generously - thank you.Your contributions helped create an unforgettable afternoon, but more importantly, they will help create opportunities for children who may otherwise miss out on the confidence, connection, resilience and joy that camp can provide.We are incredibly grateful to the Sorrento Chamber of Commerce for bringing this event to life and to every individual and business who played a part in its success.Together, you're helping create brighter futures for young people through The Portsea Camp's Making a Difference programs.Thank you for showing what community is all about. ❤️📸 Amber Gardener Photography

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3704 Point Nepean Rd,
Portsea VIC 3944,
Australia

Call us at 03 5984 2333

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm

In the spirit of reconciliation, The Portsea Camp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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