Isn’t it remarkable how a simple camp can shape young lives? Right here we find Lord Somers Camp. It has been delivering on its promise of good food fun and fellowship for over 95 years. Since 1929 Lord Somers Camp and Power House have run the Big Camp program. It provides an incredible experience for 16 to 18-year-olds. They get a chance to do incredible things.
Lord Somers Camp is open for young men, male identifying, or male presenting nonbinary youth. Lady Somers Camp is for young women, female identifying, or female presenting nonbinary youth. Each year 100 students attend one of the camps. They gain a week like nothing before. Through unique games, activities, and challenges the week strives to create young leaders. These leaders lean into self-determination, motivation, and being mindful of their community.
The week starts with 100 carefully selected students. They head to the campsite in Mornington Peninsula. They have their assigned group colours: Red, Yellow, Green, Dark Blue, and Light Blue. Each group is looked after by three group leaders of varying ages and experience. Every camper can feel an approachability to discuss anything during the week or leading up to it. They are welcomed into camp with games, activities, and food. This helps them settle into making bonds with the people they will be bunking with for the week.
The week at Lord Somers Camp consists of unique games like Parlouf, Mammoth Ball, and Unders and Overs. There are also classic sporting activities during the first half of the day. The second half of the day consists of activities. These activities encourage their individual hobbies and talents. They also encourage team building with their group. Through every element of the camp each year there is careful consideration. It encourages every camper to ‘Play the Game’ beyond the hindrance of a potential loss in the game.
Lord Somers Camp was built on the principle of inclusivity in the 1920s. It has since grown to incorporate the values of fun, friendship, care, belonging, and acceptance. These values are at the heart of the Big Camp program.
The program encourages young people to take a chance. They step beyond the familiar to grow as people. They develop a sense of community with people they might never have met otherwise. It challenges their self-perception to help develop them.
Post pandemic lockdowns students have lost valuable formative years of socialising and development. Schools often nurture and promote this in an inherent manner. These two camps help bring that sense of community. They do so by the nature of shared activities, goals, and celebrations through the week. The daily raft of programs helps them delve deeper into understanding and unlocking their skills. It creates challenges that help students learn and grow beyond their everyday lives. Every individual takes away something different. For some it may be performing on stage. Others may be swimming in the ocean with the dolphins. For most it will be learning to be a considerate leader.
Lord Somers Camp also provides scholarships and bursaries. This ensures that no student is unable to attend the program due to financial constraints if they wish to participate.
Lord Somers Camp was founded in Anglesea, Victoria in 1929 by The 6th Baron Somers. He was the then Governor of Victoria. The camp has been running continuously since 1929. It excludes the Second World War years of 1941-1946 when the site was occupied by the RAAF. The 2021 camps have both been postponed due to COVID-19. There are two camps. One is for young men and one for young women. They typically take place in the 2nd and 3rd week of January each year. The township of East Balnarring was renamed Somers, Victoria after the camp.
Lord Somers Camp and Power House is a not-for-profit organisation. It has a big vision. That is to create a stronger more inclusive society through service to others. Their services provide camps and programs. These develop a sense of community, skill development, and belonging. Their programs create fun, friendship, care, acceptance, and belonging it’s their DNA. They also achieve significant social impact, leadership capabilities, empowerment, engagement, wellbeing, and personal and community development.
Lord Somers Camp stands as a testament to the power of community and personal growth. Its legacy continues to inspire young individuals to become leaders and contributors to society.