$2.9 million upgrade for Mylor Adventure Camp

Biggest investment in the retreat’s 60-year history

The popular Mylor Adventure Camp in the Adelaide Hills is set to undergo a $2.9 million upgrade – the biggest in its 60-year history – to significantly modernise facilities for school, community and corporate groups.

The major upgrade will include an overhaul of the site’s kitchen, dining and accommodation facilities and help underpin its long-standing reputation as one of South Australia’s favourite adventure retreats.

Last year, the picturesque 10ha campground on a horseshoe bend of the Onkaparinga River welcomed 9,000 visitors and over 16,000 nights of accommodation.

“Following the significant revamp of the facilities, we are projecting these figures will grow by more than 40% to 13,000 visitors and 25,000 bed nights by 2024,” said Graham Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Care SA, which owns and operates Mylor Adventure Camp.

“Thousands of parents will remember going to school camp at Mylor, and now we’re upgrading it for their children to also enjoy getting back to nature.

“Every child should have the opportunity to go on school camp and get to know their classmates and teachers in a whole new way in a beautiful country setting like Mylor.

“This unique site continues to provide life-giving experiences that enrich relationships and help young people to face and overcome challenges, which in turn flows into increased confidence for life.”

Mr Brown, who was previously a secondary school teacher for over 20 years, says the upgrade will benefit thousands of South Australians for years to come.

“The Mylor Adventure Camp has been a favourite South Australian relationship-building retreat for school camps, church and community groups and corporate teams for more than six decades,” he said.

“While visitation has remained strong in recent times, and indeed grew to a record level last year, we felt that it was time to modernise the facilities and lift the standard of the retreat even further.”

Mr Brown says construction of the new facilities will commence in March, with works to be completed by August 2019. The project will generate 75 new construction jobs.

“Temporary accommodation units will be brought in to enable the camp to continue to operate throughout the construction period as normal,” he said.

“This capital works program is also a significant investment into the Adelaide Hills region that creates jobs and stimulates the local economy. The Mylor Adventure Camp already employs over 60 people who provide adventure programs and work in catering, administration and site maintenance.”

Established in 1957, the Mylor Adventure Camp in the Adelaide Hills is a 30-minute drive from the city and caters for groups between 6-180 people who are challenged to develop team skills and build stronger connections with their peers through a multitude of adventure activities, including river racing, ropes courses, scavenger hunts, mountain biking, canoeing, orienteering and bushwalking.

“The Mylor Adventure Camp is a wonderful retreat where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome,” said Mr Brown.

“It’s a place to connect with yourself, your classmates or colleagues, where participants are challenged to achieve bold goals and grow as individuals and teams, all within an idyllic setting in the Adelaide Hills.”

Anne Barclay, Assistant Principal of Nuriootpa High School, looks forward to seeing the new Mylor Adventure Camp next year.

“We consider the Mylor Adventure Camp as an exceptional outdoor classroom for our students, where they learn new skills and build relationships in a fun and controlled environment,” she said.

“We’re really excited to hear about the upgrade plans for Mylor and can’t wait to take advantage of the new facilities once they’re completed next year.”

About Baptist Care SA

Baptist Care SA provides out of home care, disability care, youth education and employment, and homelessness and therapeutic support services.

Established in 1913, Baptist Care SA currently has over 1,200 dedicated staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to help South Australians achieve their full potential. Baptist Care SA is committed to working with the state’s most disadvantaged, championing local issues and connecting with people to enable positive change.

Learn more about Baptist Care SA at www.baptistcaresa.org.au.

For further information, please contact Clare MacAdam, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Baptist Care SA, on 0408 452 592.