Schools across Western Australia are being encouraged to create life-long memories by experiencing the huge range of exciting school camp activities in the Great Southern, thanks to a new initiative.

Great Southern Learning Adventures is a network of businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups that provide learning experiences for school camps and excursions in the region.

Thanks to the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund the group has received $20,000 to spread the word to encourage more schools to visit the region.

The funding will assist Great Southern Learning Adventures promote the natural, cultural and heritage assets of the Great Southern region to schools and youth groups.

The group’s website – www.greatsouthernlearningadventures.com.au – allows teachers and parents to plan a memorable and fun itinerary that satisfies curriculum requirements ranging from English and HASS to science, health and physical activity.

“School camps can be one of a child’s greatest memories and we want those memories to happen here, in the Great Southern,” says Rick Wilson, Federal Member for O’Connor. “School camp adventures are shared with friends and family, creating significant interest in future visits to the region and that’s great news for our tourism industry, retailers and the wider community.”

“School camp visits also inject money directly into the local economy and that has positive flow-on effects to the community.”

Great Southern Learning Adventures are supported by the Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreational Excellence (GSCORE).

GSCORE Executive Director Dr Lenore Lyons says: “GSCORE is proud to be working on a project like this because it’s a chance to promote the wonders of the Great Southern.

“This region is a unique and very special part of the world which is bursting with activities. I think young students will really enjoy what the region showcases on camp, whether it’s a visit to the award-winning National ANZAC Centre or challenging themselves on a trail.”

Outdoor recreation-based school camps teach children various skills including teamwork, leadership, social skills, independence, personal challenges and encouraging an active lifestyle.

“Being able to marry those vital life skills with curriculum demands allows children to be challenged mentally and physically while literally learning their lessons and having a good time.”