Urban Camp celebrates 40 years of unforgettable city experiences.

For four decades, Urban Camp Melbourne has been bridging the gap between urban and rural life by providing a unique camping experience within the heart of the city. Nestled in Royal Park, Urban Camp offers an unparalleled experience for regional, remote and indigenous students to connect with the city and each other.

Each year Urban Camp uniquely exposes 10,000 students to different cultures, environments, ideas and opportunities whilst aiding children in the growth of their confidence, knowledge and capabilities.

Hosting schools and community groups since 1984, Urban Camp offers students and individuals a city camp base that fosters a formative experience and provides opportunities for independence and growth away from the classroom and home environments. The 128-bed purpose-built facility offers a home base from which young regional people can explore Melbourne’s dynamic cultural, educational and recreational attractions.

Urban Camp CEO, Elizabeth Compton said, “Over the past 40 years, Urban Camp has helped over 250,000 young people thrive in an urban environment. It has been an honour to continue to uphold the passion of the teachers from Kensington Community School who began Urban Camp and continuously showcase the very best that our vibrant city has to offer.”

“For many of our students, Urban Camp offers their first glimpse into Melbourne city life. For some this not only marks their introduction to public transport and Melbourne’s rich and varied culture, but also an initial opportunity to grasp the stark contrasts, unique challenges and opportunities that distinguish the city from their hometown.”

Urban Camp is the only dedicated school camp facility that offers a Melbourne city-based camp with free programming and venue bookings. The programs team works in conjunction with schools to create individualised itineraries which are both fun and educational.

Experiencing the ‘big smoke’ in abundance, on average each school group visits eight of Melbourne’s most impressive attractions, over the three camp days. Attractions are varied and dependent on the school’s preference, but can include Melbourne Zoo, MCG, The Big Issue Classroom, the Shrine of Remembrance and Scienceworks.

In March, Urban Camp won gold at the Australian Tourism Awards, winning the 3-3.5-star rating category for the second year running, proving their continued excellence in the tourism business nationwide.

Urban Camp are a stepping stone on the path of continuous positive impact and enrichment for both individuals visiting and the city of Melbourne.

For more information, please visit https://www.urbancamp.org.au/