Member Area Resources - Research - Over 55's Research
Research Summary Paper: Great Getaways – residential camps for older adults

“Introduction

During the latter part of 2017, the Australian Camps Association (ACA) staff teamed up with researchers Liz Cyarto PhD and Louise Karch M.Ed, to offer two residential camps for adults over 55. The Great Getaways, run at ACA member camp Licola Wilderness Village in Victoria, aimed to explore the impacts of outdoor experiences on the health and wellbeing of older adults.
While there is no shortage of research around the benefits of outdoor experiences for younger people, there has been a lack of evidence-based programs design for older adults. With 20% of the Australian population forecast to be over 65 years by 2020, it is timely to tailor outdoor programs for this demographic.

These camps followed on from a number of pilot studies previously undertaken by the ACA and work conducted by other organisations such as Active Life Weekends (NSW). Following input from a co-design workshop attended by 14 older adults, one Great Getaway was designed for people seeking very active pursuits (Adventure) and another for those interested in a more relaxed outdoor experience (Have A Try).

Both camps were three days in length and each was attended by twenty older people (mostly women). Participants ranged from 57 to 83 years of age. Most participants had been to a camp as a younger person but only 20% had done so after turning 55. Programs included varying degrees of ‘adventure’ activities (eg high ropes course) and less physically challenging activities such as walking, bush cooking and archery…”