Camps · Applications close 19 September 2026
RYPEN South 2026
The first southern RYPEN camp in District 9660, over the October long weekend at Tea Gardens.
- When
- Saturday 3 to Monday 5 October 2026October long weekend
- Where
- The Great Aussie Bush CampTea Gardens, NSW
- Cost
- $440 per participantOften covered or shared by a local Rotary club
- Ages
- 13 to 17 yearsPlaces are first come, first served
About this camp
A southern camp, for the first time
This is the first time RYPEN has run a southern camp in District 9660. Following the success of RYPEN North at Bonny Hills in June, we have added Tea Gardens so clubs in the southern part of the district have a far more accessible location to sponsor young people from local schools.
That is about accessibility, not eligibility. Tea Gardens is open to any young person aged 13 to 17 from anywhere in District 9660, from the Hunter through to New England and the far west, whether or not their family has a Rotary connection.
The program is the same three-day RYPEN weekend: team building, group problem solving, communication, goal setting and hands-on challenges, facilitated by RYLArians. Read what a RYPEN weekend involves.
Places and cost
There is no cap on how many participants a club can nominate, and places are allocated first come, first served, so it pays to apply early. The $440 fee can be covered by a Rotary club, by a business sponsor, by the participant's family, or shared between them. The application form asks which applies.
A huge step out of my comfort zone, but rewarding, and I'm glad I did it.Participant, RYPEN North 2026
The venue
The Great Aussie Bush Camp, Tea Gardens
The camp is held at the Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens, a purpose-built residential outdoor education site on the lower Mid-North Coast. Participants stay on site for the full weekend.
Confirmed participants are sent the arrival time, drop-off and pick-up details, and what to bring, ahead of the camp.
Applications close Saturday 19 September 2026
Participants, or clubs applying on their behalf, can apply using the online form.
Questions? Email rypen@rotary9660.org.au