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

18 FEB/MAR 20 QB.ORG.AU 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

The operating licence also includes the “Ridge Retreat” a fully selfcontained retreat centre with 4 ensuited bedrooms (sleeps up to 16), a kitchen/dining/lounge area and a large seminar/lecture room. Our hope is that this facility will become a popular option for pastoral retreat groups.

Set on 125 acres, it’s hard to believe the property is less than 20 minutes from Noosa’s world-famous Hastings Street and Main Beach. From the site it’s possible to walk to the abseiling and rock climbing of Mount Tinbeerwah, the world-class bush walks and mountain biking of the Noosa Trails network, and canoe and kayak options at Lake Macdonald and Lake Cooroibah.

NOEC also gives QCCC a unique addition to its sequential outdoor education for schools with the ability to offer two new camp concepts Students will be able to sleep in gunya shelters and experience a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, taking responsibility for their food gathering and living out some of the organising principles of the world’s longest surviving human culture with yarning circles, and night time corroboree experiences from Kabi Kabi operated Triballink.

NOEC will also be used for survivorthemed camps, the ultimate teambuilding activity, immersing students in an experiential role-play where they will learn and exercise the fundamentals of navigation, camp fire skills and cooking whilst being challenged with a range of problemsolving activities which are both fun and memorable.

NOEC’s onsite camping options also make clover-leaf expedition programs to access the surrounding world-class outdoor recreation options easy.

With kangaroos roaming free throughout, it’s hard to believe NOEC is just a short hop from a world-renowned tourist destination and soon-to-be international airport. Nestled amongst 125 acres with three distinct eco-systems, it gives QCCC an exciting opportunity to offer some new and innovative camping programs to add to what we already offer.

Long a favourite for self-catered camps, QCCC is excited to retain this aspect of operations giving QB churches an affordable option for youth and family camps. It will be possible for QB churches to stay at NOEC for the weekend for as little as $30 per person when they bring their own food. QCCC commence the lease on 1st February 2020, and will quickly ready the site for a bold new future.

For more information on the facility go to: www.qccc.org.au/noosa

QB/QCCC CHURCH CAMP COMPETITION

To celebrate the addition of Noosa Outdoor Education Centre (NOEC) to QCCC’s site list, The QB Magazine and QCCC have combined to offer a free weekend self-catered family camp for a QB Church at NOEC in the second half of 2020, for up to 200 people. To be in the running, we ask QB churches to encourage their congregants to write their testimonial of how they came to faith on camp, or their best experience on church camp, and submit it to freecamp@qccc.org.au by 15 June 2020, with their name and QB church they attend. The best story of a church camp experience will win the weekend camp for the church they attend. The competition can also be entered online at www.qbmagazine.org.au.

Terms and Conditions: NOEC will be offered for a weekend of accommodation, on a weekend mutually agreed by the QB church and QCCC, for up to 200 people (150 beds plus tent and RV camping). QCCC will not be responsible for travel costs to NOEC, food (BYO) and other incidentals. Testimonials submitted may be published in future editions of QB magazine and/ or used in QCCC publicity. Promotion available to QB churches and attendees only.

ANDREW GRANT – CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS’ SERVICE

Congratulations to Andrew Grant for 10 years’ service as Director of QCCC. Andrew has a passion for Christian camping as a way for people at all stages of faith to encounter God. Andrew has overseen many significant changes and outstanding initiatives across QCCC, including developing an Outdoor Recreation internship program, acquiring and developing the Kidcaff farm, opening the Triballink centre, and adding the Noosa Outdoor Education Centre (NOEC) to the site list. Andrew is a real asset to the QB family, a passionate follower of Jesus and a great servant of the Lord. Thank you, Andrew!