SLSQ Youth Development Camp 2023

Published: July 26, 2023 Last Updated: July 26, 2023

Thanks to Surf Life Saving QLD and the Coolum Beach SLSC, Skye W was able to participate in the Lifesaving Development Camp 2023 in North Queensland - which was held on Magnetic Island just off the coast of Townsville in the second week of the school holidays. It was an awesome experience to stay for a week at Apex Camps in Picnic Bay with other Lifesaving kids of the sage age and older from all over the QLD Coast.

Kids were split up into patrol teams with an interchanging Patrol Captain, given a radio and a first aid pack, and had to required to carry them around everywhere on the Island to use in scenarios. (The were so heavy!).

The camp provided participant to be able to obtain their First Aid, ART, Crewie or IRB Driver's Certificate throughout the week, with the final assessment being on the Saturday before departing for home.

Skye's feedback:

It was an amazing time going around in the IRB's learning to be a crew and exploring the reefs and coastline of Maggie Island, as well as picking up some much-needed tips and tricks from the amazing trainers driving us around. The First Aid and ART practicals were so fun because of the scenario-based training. The Leaders and Trainers told us we must always be rescue ready in our patrol teams as something bad could happen any moment. This had everyone in camp on edge as a scream or seeing someone fall could mean a SCENARIO! (The curlews did not help ease us at all) then the chosen Patrol had to go in and treat the situation all whilst the assessors were watching.

Overall, I had the best time and now have completed my ART and my Crew Certificate - which will benefit not only myself but also my patrol because I now have more qualifications to help them when needed. I highly recommend this course to any other person 16 years or above who is looking to widen their skill set or achieve multiple certificates within a week. You will meet the most amazing people and have the best time, and if the weather’s just right, you just might even see a pod of dolphins, a tonne of coral reefs or, some turtles…