Great news: In the July school holidays we are teaming up with Orienteering NSW to conduct a training camp for young orienteers.
If you’re in Year 6 or above and keen to grow your bush orienteering skills, July is your moment.
The Bluebottles July Training Camp is back for 2026, and it’s shaping up to be two days of challenge, learning, and plenty of fun in the bush around Newcastle.
Whether you simply want to feel more confident navigating Moderate and Hard courses or you’re preparing for the NSW Schools Championships, the Australian Championships or other events, this camp is designed to help you take the next step.
What to Expect
Across the weekend, we’ll be diving deep into:
- Moderate and Hard navigation
- Bush terrain skills
- Practical training sessions
- Real‑world route choices
- Plenty of time outdoors with friends and fellow orienteers
It’s hands‑on, supportive, and a great way to build confidence while having a seriously good time.
Who Can Attend
We welcome a wide range of participants:
- Juniors in Year 6+ building Moderate and Hard bush navigation skills
- Day campers who can’t stay overnight but want to join the training
- Adults keen to help out (and maybe squeeze in some training themselves)
- Younger students, provided they are accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult
All adults must hold Working With Children clearances. Adults staying onsite will have additional child‑safety requirements.
Training Locations
Our weekend program takes us into two excellent bush areas near Cessnock:
- Saturday 4 July – Abermain
- Sunday 5 July – Elrington
Both locations offer varied terrain perfect for developing higher‑level navigation skills.
A big shout-out to Newcastle Orienteering Club for making their orienteering maps available and helping out with land access permissions.
Accommodation
We’ll be staying at Glenrock Scout Camp, just 20 minutes southwest of Newcastle’s centre.
- Dorm‑style accommodation
- Bring your sleeping bag and pillow
- Group self‑catering with a simple kitchen roster
It’s a relaxed, communal setup that keeps the weekend fun and social.
Camp Costs
- Full Camp (training + accommodation + food): $100 per person
- Training Only: $20 per person per day (no meals or accommodation)
- Adult helpers: $60
Transport to/from the camp and entry to the Newcastle NOY event on Sunday 5 July are not included.
Why Join Us?
This camp is designed to help juniors grow as orienteers and as confident outdoor adventurers. You’ll come away with:
- Stronger navigation skills
- Better preparation for major competitions
- Time outdoors with friends
- Guidance from experienced coaches
- A memorable weekend doing something active and exciting
Interested?
We’d love to have you join us for this mid‑winter training weekend.
Enquiries
Barbara Hill
Bluebottles July 2026 Camp Coordinator
barbara@boldhorizons.com.au
