QCCC
NOOSA, HERE WE COME! The recent Queensland Baptists (QB) Review provided pastors and stakeholders the opportunity to reflect on every aspect of QB and its ministries. One of the strongest points of feedback about QCCC was the difficulty for QB churches to afford a weekend catered camp, especially for family and youth ministries. Anecdotally, we know that many QB churches have gravitated towards self-catered and tent-camping sites. At the same time the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) was looking at the ongoing importance of camping programs for faith and congregational formation, finding nearly 60% of churchgoers consider attending camp as an important part of strengthening their faith, and nearly 1-in-2 15-29 year olds (the age bracket where 80% of
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conversions occur) suggest camp was where they came to faith or made a re-commitment. The NCLS also found 28% of congregants believe their church has too little or far too little commitment to events such as Christian camps, retreats and conferences. By contrast, only 2% stated that there was too much commitment to these. This indicates the desire for more camp opportunities that facilitate community, space for contemplation and reflection and spiritual input. Again, the cost was listed as the largest single impediment to going on camp. For nearly ten years QCCC has been seeking an “overflow� site for groups being turned away from alwaysbooked QCCC Mapleton, and the results of the QB Review re-doubled
efforts to also find a site with selfcatering for churches, so QCCC can offer it to QB churches on a budget. The search is over. In 2020 QCCC will take over an operating licence for the Teen Missions campsite near Noosa. The property will be re-branded as the Noosa Outdoor Education Centre (NOEC) and bookings are already being taken for selfcatered church and youth camps, with priority given to QB groups and ministries. The property offers accommodation in basic facilities for 150 people augmented by several additional camping areas for tent camping. The multiple accommodation options include dormitory style A-Frames, cabins sleeping 3-5 people in single beds (some air-conditioned), tent camping and unpowered sites for RVs. NOEC
