New camp in Victoria for children and families with ties to Estonia

The 47 members of the Melbourne Estonian Society gathered at the Anglesea YMCA Discovery Camp, located near the Great Ocean Road. Among them were 24 adults and 23 children. Most of the children (11 in total) were between the ages of 2–5 years old, while 8 children were 6–9 years old. A few infants and older children joined in on the fun.

There were three days of activities, from 13–15 September 2024. The key highlights included:

• the Olympic Games, sports activities and morning gymnastics
• arts and crafts
• Estonian language lessons
• beach adventures, and
• bonfires with marshmallows.

The Olympic Games kicked off with a parade, as all the camp participants proudly followed the Estonian national flag to the competition site, cheering and singing along to familiar Estonian music. This lively start was followed by a range of sports activities, including an obstacle course, a ball-throwing competition, and a football match, among others. The event featured both mixed team challenges and individual competitions for the children.

The games were led by Ingrid Melotte, an international athlete and professional coach who specialises in organising and coaching sports activities. With her expertise, the participants were certainly in capable hands. Ingrid is also the Chair of the Melbourne Estonian Society.

Since the weather wasn’t always sunny side up, the organisers relocated some sports activities to the gym. The teams tackling the obstacle course included both adults and children, and the competition was fierce. It could be said the world has never seen a group more eager to outshine their opponents. The runs were fast, the jumps were high, cheers echoed loudly, and smiles stretched wide.

While playing football, the adults formed a team to compete against the children, fully immersed in the game. Their enthusiasm brought a lively energy to the match, as the football soared from big feet to small arms and back to small feet, leaping high into the air. The spirited play of the adults made for an exhilarating experience for everyone involved, with the referee even issuing a red card once or twice.

At times, the teams raced from one end of the court to the other so quickly that it became a joyful blur for the spectators. To add to the fun, the onlookers spontaneously formed a cheerleading squad, dancing the Macarena and entertaining everyone during the intermissions.

Children also had the chance to learn some Estonian. The language lessons introduced them to Estonian words and phrases through drawing and conversation. Hearing other children and adults speak Estonian showed them it’s not just a ‘secret language’ spoken by mums and dads at home, but a rich language shared by many.

Camp activities included leisurely walks to the nearby beach, where children played, gathered seashells, and jumped over the ocean waves. With spectacular views all around, it was the perfect way to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

“Yes, so much fun!” was the sentiment echoed by children and parents alike. The participants thought the camp successfully brought together the local Estonian community, young and old, in an inviting outdoor space. New friendships blossomed, and many engaging conversations sparked fresh ideas for future events and activities.