About the Crossing Land
Camp facilities at The Crossing are unique. The Crossing is a permaculture designed sustainable camp.
Student’s have an experience in sustainable design, water conservation, and, renewable energy.
Students harvest from the organic gardens, tend the animal systems and live a true farm-to-table experience.
Journeys to and from the camp into surrounding National Park include habitat survey and Landcare as part of a ‘journey into sustainability’.
The Crossing is situated near Bermagui, Australia, on a riverfront bush setting of the Southern NSW Wilderness Coast. Biamanga National Park adjoins the camp and The Crossing has the support of the Park’s aboriginal owners for camping and research. The camp is a traditional crossing place on the Bermagui River.
Young people make a crossing into adulthood here; learning ways to contribute to the environment & community.
Numbers: We can accommodate group sizes up to 30 with larger groups possible for regional gatherings with tent camping.
Food and catering: Provided, with whole foods and local organic produce featured where possible.
Facilities: solar power, wood, and solar hot water heating
- organic kitchen garden and orchards plus chooks and sheep
- commercial kitchen
- community hall with attached outdoor classroom
- fire circle for evening gatherings
- train carriage bunkhouse with wide verandahs
- separate teacher/supervisor rooms
- canoes and mountain bikes available with instructors
Disabilities: The “journey” component of programs may prove inaccessible for a small selection of disabilities. Please contact us to discuss your needs further.
Camp Story and Staff
‘We imagined a sustainable camp for young people encompassing a unique journey from sea to snow.’ – Dean and Annette
Camp Timeline:
1998 Dean and Annette arrived on site in September in ‘Gus the Bus’ to found The Crossing
1999 a Volunteer Board was established
2003 a Voluntary Conservation Agreement with National Parks and Wildlife protected the land in perpetuity
2005 The Crossing Land was awarded ‘Best Conservation Project in Australia’ by International Student Volunteers
2006 an Environmental Education Trust was established and
2010 The Crossing became a Landcare group of The Far South Coast Landcare Association and a member of South East Producers
2013 The Crossing’s second trainee Sam Hodder received ’School-based Trainee of the Year′ for Conservation Land Management in New South Wales
2014 The Project Director, Dean Turner becomes conservation representative to the Board of the adjacent Biamanga National Park, owned by Aboriginal people
2016 The Crossing’s third trainee Luka Hodder received ‘South Coast Region School-based Trainee of the Year‘
2018 The Crossing completed a
The Board of the Trust includes people with land management and conservation experience, outdoor leadership, education, counseling, business management and marketing experience.
Dean and Annette gifting the land of The Crossing to the newly formed Trust in 2006
The Crossing employs casual outdoor education staff with leadership experience and qualifications. We also take on conservation land management and hospitality and tourism trainees. High quality volunteers are also sought annually for the live-in role of Program Host which includes some paid allowances. Those who assist with youth programs have relevant Working with Children’s checks.
Dean Turner is the current Project Director and a qualified teacher, agricultural scientist, permaculturalist, outdoor leader, and conservation land manager. Dean has 25 years of outdoor and
Annette Turner is a member of the Board as well as Trustee Director. Her passion for wholefoods is infectious.
The Current Team
Lil Donovan: B. Arts
In her spare
Ang Young: Cert 4 Outdoor Ed
In her spare
Sven Helland: B. App Sci Outdoor Rec and Ecotourism
In his spare
Josh Heins: Cert 4 Outdoor Ed
In his spare time Josh travels Australia taking photos and exploring wild places
Dean (B. Agr Sci; B. Ed) & Annette Turner (B. Arts Tourism)
In their spare time Dean and Annette cross-country ski, surf and help Dean’s brothers manage a family farm.
Conservation and Landcare
Landcare and conservation
Young people at The Crossing have planted 15,000 trees for Landcare since 2011. These plantings link the coastal National Parks of Gulaga and Biamanga. The tree plantings also improve river quality for oyster growers downstream.
The Crossing is a member of the Far South Coast Landcare Association. Crossing Landcare and conservation work is supported by Local Land Services, Bega Valley Shire Council, the Australian Government
The founders of the Crossing, Dean and Annette Turner, have received a Far South Coast Landcare Association Award for their Landcare and conservation work with young people. Their Golden Wombat award is ‘in recognition of outstanding leadership and commitment to educating young people and the community‘.
Conservation
Connecting and surveying habitat to protect threatened species are key aims of The Trust. Sustainability education is also important.
The Crossing property is permanently protected by a Conservation Agreement with National Parks and Wildlife. The agreement was established in 2006 and applies to over 90 percent of the property. All threatened species listed for the region have been sighted or heard on the Crossing.
Environment
The Crossing is a registered ‘Australian Environmental Organization’ and
Get Involved
Donate
By Bank Deposit
The Crossing bank deposit details are:
BSB: 641800,
Account name: The Crossing Land Education Trust,
Account no: 200415194.
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Thank you for donating!