By Ron Lane
Every year the Sunshine Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving conducts an annual training camp for members in the u/14 and u/15s age group.
Known as participants, for the three day camp, these age groups come under the watchful eye of team leaders: older members from various clubs.
When it was first introduced 15 years ago it was known as Camp Survival, but after three years, the Australian Defense Force became involved both as a sponsor and a supplier of mentors. As a sign of gratitude and respect the organisers changed the name to Camp Commando. Happy to relate it has become an outstanding success.
Under the organization of Aleeshia Chick and her support team this group of highly dedicated workers drew up a program that covered all aspects vital in training the lifesavers of tomorrow; above all a program that encourages them to speak up and raise questions.
With visitations to all our beaches on a massive increase, necessary steps to ensure that our clubs maintain not only their membership, but also a high standard of training, is essential.
With this being of the utmost importance Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads were heavily involved; Sunshine sending 5 participants and Noosa 5 leaders and 8 participants.
For Noosa the 5 team Leaders were Maggie Glassock, Lilly Tindall, Harry Glassock, Jeda Hutchison and Mieka Davis. For Harry Glassock aged 19 it was his sixth camp; having attended three as a participant and now three as a leader. “We are teaching them to communicate with others but most important encouraging them to stick with their clubs and become long serving patrolling members of the Red and Yellow Army,” he said.
For participant Scarlett Olver of Sunshine, who at 13 is a year 8 student at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, the camp gave her the chance to mix and meet people from other clubs. “The camp teachers us we will always have friends, to work together and also push each other as a team,” she said.
Amongst events on the program were activities conducted by Army Reserve Personal; this again emphasised teamwork and above all the importance to “Never Quit.”
It is to be hoped that when club officials receive reports regarding Camp Commando they have the respect to not only listen but also act on suggestions. Their involvement will encourage young people to become our lifesavers of tomorrow. And as one young lady from Mudjimba said, “These camps must be continued.”
