Westernport Area junior graduation camp 2008

The flying fox was just one of the many activities run at the Westernport Area junior graduation camp

Words and photos by John Painter, Westernport Area BASO

As part of Westernport Area’s youth strategy, a junior graduation camp (for 15 to 16-year-olds) was held at the Phillip Island Adventure Park on the weekend of Friday 21 November. The purpose of the camp was to acknowledge the members' service and provide a formal progression path from junior to senior membership.

The juniors were joined by nine of their counterparts and three leaders from Tasmania. They participated in activities that promoted team building and leadership skills like archery, flying fox, high swing, team initiative course, team rescue course, team tower building and a trivia night.

A graduation ceremony was held on Saturday night, with guests including CFA Board members Michael Tudbull and Robert Spencer, General Manager Peter Schmidt and Operations Manager Trevor Owen.

Peter and Trevor presented each of the juniors with a certificate to acknowledge their contribution to CFA, and encouraged them to continue with CFA. They also encouraged juniors who were not progressing to senior ranks to return to CFA in the future.

Photos below:

Top left: Camp attendees gather for a group photo.

Top right: The team of juniors from Tasmania who made the trip to join the camp.

Middle left: The juniors participating in team rescue exercise.

Middle right: Taking part in a team initiative course.

Bottom left: Enjoying the view from atop the high swing.

Bottom right: Working together in the tower building exercise.