The Portsea Camp

24/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.

A recent poll of 8 to 12-year-olds in the United States asked children about some of the everyday things they had done independently.

The results were surprising.

45% had never walked in a different aisle to their parents at a store.
56% had never spoken with a neighbour without their parents.
61% had never made plans with friends without adults helping them.
62% had never walked or ridden somewhere, like a store, park or school, without an adult.
63% had never built something outside, like a fort or treehouse.
71% had never used a sharp knife.

The study was conducted in the US, not Australia, so we can't assume these exact figures reflect Australian children. But the questions it raises feel relevant to anyone thinking about how children are growing up today.

It is also important to consider the world that parents and carers are navigating now.

We are exposed to vastly more information about our children's safety than previous generations ever were. News is immediate and constant, and stories about accidents, crime, illness, online dangers, bullying and other risks are only ever a few taps away. Alongside that comes an endless stream of parenting advice telling us what we should be watching for, what we might be missing and what could potentially go wrong.

That doesn't mean parents and carers are becoming unnecessarily protective. In many ways, it means we are parenting with an awareness of risks that previous generations simply didn't have. When you are constantly reminded of what can happen, it is entirely understandable that letting a child walk a little further ahead, make their own plans or take a small risk can feel much harder than it once did.

So, this isn't about blaming parents, or suggesting that children were better off in some imagined "good old days". Keeping children safe is fundamental, and parents and carers should never feel guilty for being vigilant about their children.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽: 𝟴 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟮-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀.

It is no coincidence that this is such an important age for us. These are years when children are beginning to stretch beyond the world of their parents, develop a stronger sense of who they are, make more of their own decisions and discover what they can do for themselves.

Which brings us to the other side of the conversation.

𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼?

Children need opportunities to make decisions, solve problems, navigate uncertainty, take responsibility and occasionally get things wrong. These experiences are part of how they develop confidence, resilience, independence and a sense of agency.

We feel incredibly lucky that we get to witness some of this at camp.

It might be a child sleeping away from home for the first time, working through a disagreement with a friend, taking responsibility for something that would usually be done for them, or attempting an activity they were convinced they couldn't do.
Sometimes it is simply the growing confidence that comes from being trusted to do something for themselves.

These can seem like small moments, but they can be significant for a developing child.

Because confidence isn't something we can simply tell a child they have. It grows through experience: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, "𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀."

Perhaps that is the balance worth thinking about. How do we continue to give children the safety and support they need, while also creating enough space for them to discover what they are capable of?

We think the full poll is worth a read:

There's a big difference in how kids were raised 40 years ago and how they are today, evidenced by a new Harris Poll. Kids today are too sheltered so how can we make them more independent? "Anxious Generation" author Jonathan Haidt shares some tips.

21/08/2026

𝗔 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 🌊💙

We’re incredibly grateful to continue our relationship with 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯, whose ongoing commitment helps us create meaningful experiences for children and families at The Portsea Camp.

Sharing a deep connection to our beautiful coastline, we know how important it is for children to feel confident, capable and safe around the water.

In the past year, we developed our 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 together- an initiative designed to help children and families build water confidence, learn essential skills and discover the joy and freedom of moving beyond the pool lanes and into the open water.

The pilot was a huge success, with families stepping outside their comfort zones, developing a stronger understanding of water safety and leaving with a greater sense of confidence and capability.

We’re excited to continue this important work together, with another Pool to Beach program planned for November.

Thank you to Portsea Life Saving Club for continuing to stand alongside The Portsea Camp and helping more children and families safely enjoy everything our coastline has to offer.

07/08/2026

Journey Bookings - Now Open!

A dedicated adventure program creating space for boys to connect, grow and discover what they’re capable of.

Journey is about more than the adventure itself. It’s about those moments when young people step outside their comfort zone, overcome challenges and realise they’re capable of so much more than they thought.

Across 1, 3 or 5 days, boys will hike, kayak, ride, camp under the stars and learn practical outdoor skills while building confidence, resilience and genuine connections with others.

Through shared challenges, teamwork and time spent outdoors, boys will have the opportunity to grow, discover their strengths and create friendships that last long after camp ends.

Because every young person deserves to feel like they belong.
Journey is the dedicated space we’ve created for boys to connect, grow and discover what they’re capable of.

28 September – 2 October 2026
Boys aged 8–12
Choose from 1, 3 or 5 days

Bookings are now open.
https://www.theportseacamp.com.au/event/8-12-years-journey-camp-2/

02/08/2026

Social connection is vital for mental and physical well being. This year’s Stride or Ride is focused on social connection and wellbeing.
To kick off the 2026 event the organisers are hosting a launch party and inviting the community to come along for a get together on Friday 14th August 2026 from 3pm to 5pm.
Marco from ITALICO is opening his venue for the Friday gathering.
It’s $25 for the arrival drink and canapés, guest speaker Olympic and Commonwealth Games winning cyclist Katie Mactier and a great social afternoon to kick off this year’s Stride or Ride event for The Portsea Camp which is being held on Sunday 15th November. Come along to the launch event on Friday 14th August by yourself or bring some friends. Everyone welcome. Please get your tickets from Trybooking and link in comments below.

28/07/2026

💗 Be Fearlessly Authentic.

That was the heart of this year's 𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺.

As part of our M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Programs suite, Vibes is designed especially for girls and female-identifying young people. A space just for themselves to discover strengths, build confidence, try new things and simply enjoy being surrounded by people who are cheering you on.

We know these early years can shape how girls see themselves, so creating spaces where they can discover their strengths, back one another and simply be themselves has never felt more important.

Across the week we watched new friendships form, teamwork shine, and girls encourage one another to step outside their comfort zones. By the final day there was an incredible sense of pride, connection and excitement as everyone headed home ready to take on a new school term.

And sometimes, the best examples of that growth happen when you least expect them.

At the beach, a group of girls discovered an old tyre buried in the sand. They decided they were going to dig it out..and they did! Then, together, they rolled it all the way up our hill. It took them four hours. Four hours of digging, lifting, pushing and working together, and they simply refused to stop. It was a wonderful reminder of the teamwork and resilience that had grown throughout the week, now playing out in real time.

Those moments are never the work of one person.

We are reminded of the impact of each camp when we read the children's check-in statements afterwards. There are plenty of proud declarations about giving the giant swing or high ropes a go, stories about the fun they had and the friends they made. But some of the words from our junior group, in particular, really stood out:

"I am now brave and more confident."
"I am now kinder and stronger and more confident."
"I faced my fears!"
"I expressed myself to the highest!"
"I'm still quiet but I'm happy."
"I healed."
"I love myself how I am."

And one parent shared something that stayed with us: "I have never seen her so happy."

Thank you to every girl who showed up with courage and kindness, to the parents and carers who trusted us, and to our incredible volunteers, staff and facilitators, including Colleen Callander, 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 and The Reach Foundation, for creating a week filled with laughter, learning, personal growth and genuine connection.

We're equally grateful to the supporters who helped fund part and full scholarships, making it possible for more young people to experience Vibes.

Every child is different, and that's exactly why our M.A.D. Programs continue to grow - to create experiences that meet young people where they are and help them discover the confidence, connection and resilience that's already within them.

Here's to a generation of girls who are fearlessly authentic. Go get it! 💗

15/07/2026

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 💙

As we enter another year of our relationship with TLC Healthcare, we want to recognise the incredible impact of their ongoing commitment to helping create brighter futures for children.

Their commitment each year is a significant investment in our shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to experience connection, confidence, and the joy of childhood.

At The Portsea Camp, we are seeing the need for these opportunities continue to grow. Rising cost-of-living pressures mean more children and families are facing barriers to accessing school and holiday camp experiences. At the same time, we are seeing an increasing need for opportunities that help children build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

We are seeing this need firsthand. Over the past two weeks alone, more than 𝟭𝟳𝟱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀, with 𝟴𝟮% 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 to participate.

But beyond the numbers are moments that matter, children laughing, forming friendships, stepping outside their comfort zones, and experiencing the simple joy of being a child.

Our recent Making A Difference (M.A.D) programs, with a strong focus on connection, confidence and wellbeing, have been filled with these moments - children experiencing the joy of simply being themselves.

We are incredibly grateful to TLC Healthcare for helping us continue creating these opportunities for children to feel supported, connected and empowered to thrive.

Together, we are building brighter futures, one connection, one experience and one child at a time.

16/06/2026

Our matching period has now ended, but the need certainly hasn’t. Right now, 1 in 2 Australian children are still missing out on the vital benefits of camp: connection, confidence, resilience and simply the chance to be kids again.

Through our Making a Difference programs, we’re working to change that by providing subsidised camp experiences for children who would otherwise miss out.

Every gift, big or small, helps open the door for a child to step into nature, build friendships, and experience the joy of camp.

It’s not too late to make an impact, your support can still help us provide life-changing opportunities and ensure more children don’t miss out on the moments that help shape their future.

12/06/2026

80 Years of Camp, and Why It Still Matters.

When our gates first opened in 1946, children came to the coast for fresh air, post-war recovery, medical checks and physical challenge. Today, the world looks completely different, but our focus on supporting young people through wellbeing and outdoor adventure remains exactly the same.

The reality of raising children today has fundamentally shifted. Parents are navigating a landscape that simply didn't exist a generation ago:

- The Digital Environment: With recreational screen use at an all-time high, devices have become a default part of daily learning and connection.

- The Physical Shift: Finding time and safe spaces for traditional, unstructured outdoor play has become increasingly difficult for busy families.

Childhood has moved from the independent, outdoor-based lifestyle of the 1940s to a fast-paced, highly structured modern reality. And now, with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence shaping what children see online, navigating the digital world has become even more complex.

But here is the reassuring truth: what children need at their core hasn’t changed at all. They still need confidence. Genuine connection. Real experiences with real people in real places.

Time spent in nature, away from the noise and alongside peers, isn't just a holiday. It is a powerful way to build resilience and self-belief. It gives children the tactile wins and real-world grounding that help them handle the online world with confidence.

As we celebrate 80 years, we see our role not just as a camp, but as a partner for parents, helping to provide the ultimate antidote to a virtual world.

Read our full article for a deeper look at navigating the rise of AI and helping your child choose a beautiful, flawed reality over a pixel-perfect world: Link in Comments

09/06/2026

The mentors, facilitators and role models behind Vibes Wellness Week are a huge part of what makes this experience so powerful.

This year, girls attending Vibes will learn from and connect with an incredible lineup of facilitators including:

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛
Creating supportive, safe spaces where young people can connect, share honestly and feel a real sense of belonging.

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
Award-winning former CEO, best-selling author and founder of Callander & Co and Mentor Me Women. Colleen is passionate about helping young people build confidence, overcome self-doubt and step into their potential with courage and authenticity.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Supporting young people through wellbeing practices, emotional growth, mindfulness and meaningful connection.

Together, these experiences are designed to help girls:
- build resilience and belief in themselves
- strengthen friendships and connection
- grow self-awareness
- feel optimistic and proud of who they are

Combined with adventure activities, creativity, mentoring and five unforgettable days by the coast, Vibes is designed to help girls discover just how capable they really are.

🌊 High ropes & kayaking
🎨 Creative expression & journaling
🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness & wellbeing
🤝 Friendship, leadership & mentoring
💛 Confidence, resilience & connection

6–10 July 2026
Ages 8–17
The Portsea Camp

Bookings are now open via upcoming camps link in our bio.

09/06/2026

This is what community looks like.

Behind every successful event is a remarkable group of people willing to give their time, expertise, products, services and support to make it happen.

The Chef's Charity Luncheon was a beautiful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together. From the organisers, chefs, producers and sponsors, to the businesses who donated auction and raffle prizes, the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, and every guest who attended and gave so generously - thank you.

Your contributions helped create an unforgettable afternoon, but more importantly, they will help create opportunities for children who may otherwise miss out on the confidence, connection, resilience and joy that camp can provide.

We are incredibly grateful to the Sorrento Chamber of Commerce for bringing this event to life and to every individual and business who played a part in its success.

Together, you're helping create brighter futures for young people through The Portsea Camp's Making a Difference programs.

Thank you for showing what community is all about. ❤️

📸 Amber Gardener Photography