Teacher-to-be Erica Paino is facilitating a 10-day camp in Beaufort. PIcture: KATE HEALY
A BALLARAT teacher-to-be is helping make a difference in a summer camp at Beaufort which kicks off later this week.
Erica Paino travelled all the way to the United States last year to learn all about SuperCamp, a new breed of summer camp that claims to transform students from mediocre students to high achievers.
Fifty-one students from across the country will descend on Beaufort on Thursday to take part in the 10-day camp, the third of its kind in Australia.
Ms Paino, who starts her first full-time teaching job this year, will be among four facilitators there.
She said the combination of educational and outdoor activities were great for building camper’s self confidence.
“We have some kids that come in very shy, very timid and don’t want to get involved and generally by day four or five they’re up there dancing around and really getting involved,” she said. “Seeing those students realising they don’t have to bounce off the walls but that they can get involved and seeing them change, it’s brilliant.
“Normally the ones who didn’t want to be there on day one don’t want to leave by the end.”
Ms Paino said Cave Hill Creek at Beaufort was the perfect place for the summer camp.
“It’s a beautiful picturesque campsite, but also on a more rural property which means we can give students opportunities outside the city,” she said.
“Having something like this in Ballarat’s backyard is also an incredible opportunity for local students to take on something like this.”
