The QCCC Mapleton community is excited to welcome the 2025 cohort of Campfire Interns! This year’s group includes five new first-year participants and five returning for their second year, along with an apprentice chef – eleven passionate individuals on a journey of learning, service, and spiritual growth.
The new first-year interns – Amy, Nina, Joshua, Bailey, and Chris – arrived on January 6th and have settled into their on-site accommodation, joining their experienced second-year peers. Over the next two years, they will participate in a dynamic and immersive outdoor education program, working towards qualifications in outdoor leadership while deepening their understanding of faith and community.
The QCCC Campfire Internship Program
The Campfire Internship is a two-year initiative based at QCCC Mapleton, providing a comprehensive experience that blends outdoor education, leadership training, and spiritual formation. Interns have a full-time job and live on-site, fostering a close-knit community where they develop practical skills and personal growth. The program includes:
- Training in all QCCC Mapleton’s Outdoor Education activities
- Accredited Qualifications in Outdoor Leadership
- Spiritual formation and mentoring
- Community engagement and service opportunities
One of the highlights of the program is the opportunity for interns to participate in unique cultural and leadership experiences over their two years, including:
- A pilgrims walk on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk alongside Aboriginal elders, learning about the Blackall Range and its cultural significance.
- A multi-day experience with an Aboriginal community near Dalby, working with at-risk youth and gaining a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
- A ten-day service trip to Cambodia in their second year, where they will engage with the local staff from a camp facility and jointly run a summer camp for missionary children from throughout Southeast Asia.
QCCC Mapleton – A Leader in Outdoor Education
QCCC Mapleton is one of Queensland’s largest and most diverse Outdoor Education centres, welcoming over 25,000 guests annually. Situated on 55 acres of stunning Blackall Range rainforest, it provides immersive, adventure-based learning experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. Employing 90 staff, QCCC Mapleton serves hundreds of schools and community groups annually, supporting the development of young people through experiential learning in an environment designed to challenge and inspire.
Its award-winning programs focus on:
- Delivering high-quality Outdoor Education experiences that cater to school camps, leadership retreats, and faith-based programs.
- Facilitating adventure-based activities such as high ropes, canoeing, bushwalking, and archery, designed to develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
- Fostering teamwork and leadership through structured programs that encourage personal growth, responsibility, and collaboration.
- Triballink Centre – Engaging with Indigenous Culture, offering immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences where students learn from Indigenous educators through storytelling, dance, and hands-on activities that foster a deep appreciation for Australia’s First Nations heritage, and the importance of the Blackall Range’s Bunya Festivals.
Interns play an active role in the daily life of QCCC Mapleton, contributing to outdoor education programs and engaging with the wider community. Their experiences help prepare them for careers in outdoor education and youth work, while also fostering personal growth and lifelong friendships.
Beyond Mapleton – A Broader Training Pathway
While the Campfire Internship is unique to QCCC Mapleton, QCCC Tamborine offers the Camplife Gap Year program, providing a different but equally valuable pathway for young adults seeking personal and spiritual growth through service and adventure.
The Campfire Internship at QCCC Mapleton is a transformative experience, equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and faith foundation to make a positive impact. Keep an eye out for these dedicated interns as they contribute to QCCC programs and the wider community in 2025. We look forward to seeing the incredible difference they will make!
