MEET OUR MERRICKS TEAM
UC CAMPING MERRICKS TEAM Meet the Merricks Team who all come from a diverse range of backgrounds to bring the service and hospitality you deserve. Husband and wife team Matt and Amy commenced at UC Camping in March 2020 - just as Covid-19 locked down the industry....
15 TIPS FOR TEACHERS ON CAMP
15 TIPS FOR TEACHERS ON CAMP Whether you're a seasoned camper or it's your first time, here are some tips to make your trip a little easier. By all means, this isn't a complete list but covers the most common tips. In addition, there are links at the bottom of this...
REDUCING WASTE AT GRANTVILLE LODGE
REDUCING WASTE AT GRANTVILLE LODGE Reducing waste at Grantville Lodge is a priority for 2023. We are undertaking a new approach to waste reduction in the future. It's an exciting project. that will be ongoing. We encourage groups to consider their food consumption and...
DJA DJA WURRING PEOPLE OF ADEKATE
DJA DJA WURRUNG PEOPLE OF ADEKATE In the words of the Dja Dja Wurrung people Womin-dji-ka | Welcome Quoting the words of Aunty Fay Carter OAM, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, "all that we do is dedicated to our Dja Dja Wurrung Martiinga kuli (Ancestors)". “I’d like the rest of...
CAMP LIFE FOR TEACHERS
CAMP LIFE FOR TEACHERS What is camp life for teachers? Often part of your role as a teacher, is to go on extra curricular activities - sporting events, concerts and school camp. For those who aren't familiar with camping, it can be initimadating and you may have...
WHAT IS BUSH KINDER?
WHAT IS BUSH KINDER? “Children can’t bounce off the walls if we take away the walls” – Erin K Kenny Here are some interesting statistics for you: Since the 1980s the average time spent outside has changed from an average of 4 - 6 hours per day to 45 - 90 minutes per...
REDUCING WASTE AT MERRICKS LODGE
We take reducing waste at Merricks Lodge seriously. We are all familiar with reducing waste at home, but how do you reduce waste when there can be up to 150 guests at one of our sites? For several years, Merrick Lodge has been proactive in minimising waste and...
BALIT-DHAN BALIT NGANGJIN
BALIT-DHAN BALIT NGANGJIN Balit-Dhan Balit-ngangin, 2021. Maree Clarke, Australia / Mutti Mutti, Yorta, Yorta, Boon Wurrung and Wemba Wemba woman, b. 1961 and Trent Jansen, Australia, b. 1981. Maree Clarke is an artist and leader in the reclamation of Kulin Nations...
10 STEPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR CAMPING
10 STEPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR CAMPING Here are 10 simple steps to help you prepare for your camping trip and make it enjoyable, safe and memorable. Step 1 - Research Consider the following: Facilities available Arrival /...
WHAT IS A NATURE STEWARD?
WHAT IS A NATURE STEWARD? A nature steward is someone who has a responsibility to protect the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. This will enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being. A nature steward has a strong desire to...
UNITING CHURCH AND FIRST PEOPLES
The Uniting Church in Australia acknowledges we live and work on Aboriginal land. The following is taken from the preamble to the Church’s constitution, adopted in 2009. It reflects our remorse for past mistakes and commitment to...
20 WAYS TO CAMP RESPONSIBLY
20 WAYS TO CAMP RESPONSIBLY Camping is an enjoyable way to spend time with family, friends, school mates and even make new friends. However, the long-term impact and destruction of the natural environment comes with the popularity of camping. Since Covid hit in March...
20 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CAMPING
20 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CAMPING Most people go on camping trips because they're tired of the city or ready for an adventure. Whether you enjoy biking or any other outdoor activity, camping offers you a way to focus completely on a hobby for a few days without external...
UNITING CHURCH AND NARANA
UNITING CHURCH AND NARANA ABORIGINAL CULTURE CENTRE Narana is a division of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress that is the Aboriginal arm of the Uniting Church in Australia. The emphasis is on building healthy relationships and developing a shared...
VALE DAVID TAPSCOTT
VALE DAVID TAPSCOTT 30 March 2022: David Tapscott, Site Manager at Norval from 2005 - 2022 passed away gracefully on 12 March, just short of his 61st birthday. Farewelled with love by wife, Cathy, and children Maddi, Zac and Eloise and their families in a private...
PROS AND CONS OF WALKING POLES
PROS AND CONS OF WALKING POLES Walking poles have become more popular at the start of the 21st century. This is partly due to the science that supports their benefits for people of all ages and experiences. It has been shown that...
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL CAMP
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL CAMP How to prepare your child for school camp is important. For most of us, going on school camp is one of the highlights of childhood. Some of those memories would be: The friends you went with, the friends you made Ccampfire...
WHAT TO BRING ON CAMP
WHAT TO BRING ON CAMP What to bring on camp is ensure a a happy and enjoyable stay with UC Camping, it's important to bring everything you need. Depending on which UC Camping site your attending, what activities you'll be participating in and the time of year, which...
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING AT MERRICKS LODGE
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING AT MERRICKS LODGE Stand-up paddleboarding, also known for the acronym SUP, is one of the fastest-growing boardsports in the world. We've found it as one of the most popular with groups staying at Merricks Lodge. Consequently, it's become an...
WHY WE SHOULD ALL GET OUTDOORS
WHY WE SHOULD ALL GET OUTDOORS - A Q & A WITH DANIEL MURRAY, DIRECTOR OF UC CAMPING. Camping has come a long way since the first tent was pitched. Now we have insulated facilities with ensuites, bathrooms and proper kitchens. But one thing hasn’t changed – the...
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES All of us are responsible for protecting the natural world and places we visit. It's important that we are conscious of how our actions effect the land, plants, animals, people and entire ecosystems. Below are the seven commonly known 'Leave...
CAN YOU GET SUNBURNT IN WINTER?
CAN YOU GET SUNBURNT IN WINTER? Just because the sun isn't out or it's cloudy doesn't mean you shouldn't slop on some sunscreen. Sun damage is possible in most conditions. Whether it's overcast, windy or even just a cool day, you are not protected from the UV rays....
HOW TO MAKE SCROGGIN / TRAIL MIX
HOW TO MAKE SCROGGIN / TRAIL MIX How to make scroggin / trail mis is easy and you can personalise to suit yourself. The popular snack for any time but particularly well known for bushwalkers. In the northern hemisphere it's called Trail Mix. Here in Australia, it's...
TOP 10 CAMP OUTDOOR NIGHT ACTIVITIES
TOP 10 CAMP OUTDOOR NIGHT ACTIVITIES With years of experience working collaboratively with groups, we've put together our Top 10 camp outdoor night activities to help support teachers for those evening activities. For a link to Top 10 Camping Indoor Night Activities,...
TOP 10 CAMP INDOOR NIGHT ACTIVITIES
TOP 10 CAMP INDOOR NIGHT ACTIVITIES Taking kids away on camp and need some indoor night activities? Well we've listed 10 of the most favourite that teachers run at our camps (indoors). Tip is to plan and prepare well in advance and make sure you have the right props...
BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT CALLING 000
BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT CALLING 000 There has long been a belief that calling 112 when you are lost, even without a signal, your call will go through to emergency services. This is completely not true. So let's go back and have a little history lesson. Before 2002, you...
10 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT CAMPING
10 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT CAMPING Camping is one of the best ways to travel and experience the great outdoors. Whether you go camping with your school mates, friends, family or partner, you are guaranteed to create memories to last a lifetime. So here are our 10 things...
SUN PROTECTION WHEN BUSHWALKING / HIKING
SUN PROTECTION WHEN BUSHWALKING / HIKING It's important that sun protection when bushwalking / hiking is a high priority for everyone. No matter whether the sun is shining or it's a cloudy day. Or if you're at beach or hiking 3,000 metres above sea level.The warm sun...
10 BENEFITS OF SCHOOL CAMP
10 BENEFITS OF SCHOOL CAMP UC Camping was established int he mid 70's and since that time have hosted 1,000's of guests. We are most proud of providing diverse and fulfilling experiences for staff and students that they will hold with them for the rest of their life....
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST HIKING PART 2
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST HIKING - PART 2 Following on from Part 1 on what to do if you get lost hiking, welcome to part 2. Lets unpack how to attempt a self rescue. After you've stopped, stayed calm, taken a deep breath and even have a cuppa, these are the steps to...
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST HIKING – PART 1
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST HIKING - PART 1 It's important to know what to do if you get lost hiking. So let's to start with the fundamentals. Before you leave home Tell someone where you're going and give them a plan or fill out a trip intention form, which you can...
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN SNAKES
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN SNAKES There are lot's of interesting facts about Australian snakes. Some you'll know and some will definitely surprise you. So let's begin: Let's being with 10 snake facts Snakes are a reptile - they have bee around for...
HOW TO TREAT A SNAKE BITE
HOW TO TREAT A SNAKE BITE What happens when a snake bites? When a snake successfully injects venom through a bite, it will travel through the lymphatic system to the bloodstream. From here, it can have serious consequences on the nerves and muscles which can then...
HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT BLISTERS
HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT BLISTERS To begin with, what causes a blister? A blister is a small pocket of fluid on the skin and is usually in response to an injury, friction or heat. Therefore, blisters are common on feet. For example, wearing new footwear (whether...
WHAT IS A GAGA PIT?
WHAT IS A GAGA PIT? We are often asked, what is a GaGaga pit. Two of our sites, Grantville Lodge and Merricks Lodge have GaGa pits and they are a popular activity that can be lead by our staff or teaching staff. But what is the game about? The best way to describe...
WHAT IS BUSH ADVENTURE THERAPY?
WHAT IS BUSH ADVENTURE THERAPY? To begin with, there are a few different terms for "BAT" such as: integrative outdoor healthcare wilderness therpay outdoor adventure interventions In short, the most popular term is 'bush adventure therapy' here in Australia....
WILDERNESS FIRST AID AT MERRICKS
WILDERNESS FIRST AID AT MERRICKS Imagine being out in the bush and something goes wrong - a bad cut, snake bite, a sprain or broken bone ….. what would you do? Recently a group of teachers and leaders undertook a five day Wilderness First Aid course at Merricks to...
GRANTVILLE LODGE ‘NEW’ CHAPEL GARDEN
ANTVILLE LODGE NEW CHAPEL GARDEN The Grantville Lodge New Chapel Garden is complete. As a result, we have a whole new beautiful space for our guests to enjoy. Recently, Grantville Lodge’s Local Campsite Committee (LCC), a group of volunteers, has been working hard on...