Caroline Hammat
For the second year Rendelsham’s Noorla Yo-Long (NYL) has hosted the International Lions Youth Camp in South Australia.
This year’s camp included nine young people between the ages of 15-20 from Australia, Mongolia, Italy and the United States.
The international participants arrived in Australia at the beginning of January and stayed with host families on the New South Wales east coast before making their way to Adelaide on January 18.
After meeting together as a group they spent several days on Kangaroo Island before arriving at NYL last Tuesday.
Since arriving in the Limestone Coast they have visited Naracoorte, Beachport, Southend, Millicent and experienced a range of activities.
16 year old Munkh Nominkhangai (Ananda) is well travelled but Australia is the first English speaking country the Mongolian student has visited.
“My English has improved since I’ve been here, I’ve found myself thinking more in the language,” he said.
Ananda said one of the highlights for him has been the people he has met.
“People will come up to you and strike up a conversation, it’s usually uncommon in Mongolia.
“It’s extremely nice and the people at camp are absolutely amazing.
“It’s been a really amazing experience.
“I am glad I took this opportunity and stepped out of my comfort zone.”
Ananda likes Australia so much he doesn’t want to go back home and is already planning a return trip to work in one of the cities.
From Utah in the United States is 20 year old Cielo Delmar Thompson whose highlights have been the lighthouses visited with her host family on the NSW Central Coast and the Australian night sky.
“My second host family was up in Paxton and they lived in the woods, which was really cool and I got to see more wildlife there.
“I got to see the stars there which were really pretty, the stars look a bit different here than in the US, it’s really cool.”
Other highlights for the talented musician have been swimming on the beach on Kangaroo Island and seeing seals for the first time.
Luke Tammen has not travelled as far as his international counterparts but the 15 year old has made the journey from Baldivis in Western Australia.
Luke said although socialising was not his best attribute it was something he has been able to work on during the camp.
“I’ve managed to speak to other people and work with them for rope climbing,” he said.
“I’ve learnt more communication skills and teamwork, because communication is key.
“It’s been a fun experience.”
Beryl Mahoney from the Lions Club of Mount Gambier is the liaison for the Lion’s C2 zone and praised the district for their support of the camp.
“Even though they are not going to Mount Gambier this time the three Lions Clubs had a barbecue and raised over $1,000 that will pay for the paddleboarding.
“Lions all over our district have contributed money to help with running the camp activities to help keep the costs down for the young people.”
C2 Youth camp and exchange camp director, Amber Cauchi was involved in last year’s camp.
“Last year we were the guinea pigs, learning what did and didn’t work,” she said.
“We have put that into place this year and it has run so smoothly.
“Just getting to know that the kids do take awhile to warm up, it’s not us, it’s just the environment.
“We can step back and let them take the lead and form their own bonds and watch them do their leadership, trust and confidence activities.
The NYL camp has been a three year C2 project for Lions and it is hoped it will be approved for another three years.
Simon Westwood who is a camp liaison officer said
“The best thing about NYL is they are really supportive of what we are trying to do.
“They are really great people to work with and it’s a fantastic facility to use.”
