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Outdoor youth programs research alliance
The goal of the Alliance is to develop a long-term program of high quality, fundable research that evaluates the potential benefits of outdoor, camping and nature-based programs on the resilience, learning and wellbeing of young Australians. The Alliance is being co-ordinated by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne and includes a range of industry partners.
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UPLOADS reporting system
Detailed information on injuries and injury-causation is required to understand the risks involved in facilitated or instructed “led” outdoor activities (LOA). However, in Australia, there is a paucity of information available on the epidemiology and causation of incidents in this sector.
To address this problem, Sport and Recreation Victoria has been engaged in a major program of research to develop a national approach to incident reporting, known as UPLOADS (Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System).
The UPLOADS project has been endorsed by both the Australian Research Council (ARC) as well as LOA organisations from across Australia, and demonstrates the strength and benefits of bridging the gap between research and practice.
Over the last 5 years, a prototype reporting system was developed and trialled in 50 organisations across Australia. The results of this trial presented the first ever national incident rates for LOA. To view the results visit the Uploads project website.
Our five residential camps are located on Crown land and are situated at:
The day to day operation of each of the five campsites is currently contracted under lease agreement to the Victorian YMCA. In 2016, 65,000 Victorians visited the camps and participated in a wide range of healthy and active outdoor programs. For more information on accessing these camps, please visit the YMCA camps website.
The Camps' primary service delivery role is the provision of residential recreation experiences for a variety of community based groups. The service provision includes the supply of accommodation, catering, sport and recreation facilities and equipment and facilitated programs and activities. The Camps' primary clients are educational, sporting, family and community groups.
A legacy from the long term leasing of the camps is the reallocation of resources to build outdoor sector and organisational capacity; and increase participation by individuals through initiatives that target motivation, means and opportunity. This is achieved through an annual Outdoor Sector Development Plan.
Outdoor sector plan research initiatives
Findings from research will enhance the capacity of government and the outdoor sector to make decisions about the future allocation of resources, influence future policy, improve current practice and develop pathways to more participation in outdoor activity. An example current research initiatives include:
Outdoor sector plan development projects
Howmans Gap accessible alpine accommodation project
Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) received bipartisan government support to construct Australia’s first fully accessible alpine accommodation facility at Howmans Gap Alpine Centre (Falls Creek) and use the opportunity to showcase the principles of universal design in alpine environments.
The 36-bed facility will provide purpose built, fully accessible accommodation and facilities for people with disabilities to participate in alpine winter sport and green season activities; and a training facility to support disabled athlete development.
Howmans Gap is located in a challenging alpine environment. The construction design used in support of this project provides an opportunity for this government owned facility to become a template for future public and private investment in nature-based tourism accommodation facilities located in alpine regions.