In January Bellingen will once again be treated to the spectacle of a mass canoe baptism accompanied by rousing ukulele music.
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Camp Creative campers not only make their own canoe but in the ultimate test, they float it on the Bellingen River just below Lavender’s Bridge.
What do you need to do to join them?
Sign up for the Build A Canoe course!
Camp coordinator Michelle Stockton said the course encourages people to work in pairs.
“We have had fathers and sons, grandmothers and daughter, sisters, brothers and mothers make a canoe together. The best part is that you only pay for one course and you have the thrill of working with a close friend or relative on the project.”
Perennial camper Yves Vachey, who takes time off from his airline pilot job in Paris, was so taken with the canoe that he made,that he went to Smiths Lake with his tutor Brian Jones and made another one. Brian has stored the canoes and is relived that Yves is doing wood carving this year.
Brian says this is a lovely course for parents to share with their children.
“Over the years I have helped build 170 canoes, 63 built at Camp Creative, and the rest at Hobart, Phillip Island, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, and with Year 10 students in various high schools and TAFE programs,” he said.
“So far everyone has finished their canoe by the end of the week and they have all floated.”
Brian is a very experienced tutor who has previously worked in schools as a teacher and is currently working with young people at TAFE.
Visit www.campcreative.com.au for more information or contact the Stocktons on 66559326 or email info@campcreative.com.au