Lord Somers Camp

Lord Somers Camp is a not-for-profit organisation that engages young people in volunteering and community development.

The camp was established in 1931 by the then Governor of Victoria – Lord Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers. Lord Somers was passionate about community development particularly in youth. His aim was to create a more inclusive society for all. To do this he started Lord Somers Camp, which introduced youth to their peers from diverse backgrounds.

The campsite is nestled in spectacular surrounds, perfect for getting out into nature and exploring.

“We are luckily located on a beautiful part of the Mornington Peninsula in Somers where we are surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna both on land and in the ocean. Somers Beach is directly on the doorstep of our site across of Merricks Creek,” said Jayda Hunt, Administration Officer at the camp.

Lord Somers Camp highly values the importance of sustainable business practices and recognises it as an area for constant improvement.

“Our main reason for taking the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard is to ensure that we have as little impact as possible on our ecosystem and protect the environment we are so lucky to be part of.”

For the organisation, there were many benefits to gaining the scorecard. “To be directly prompted on what areas are specifically relevant to our environment and business practices. Also, to have a tangible score available to show our community and display the value we place on learning, growing and prioritising sustainable practices.”

The process of applying was made simple through the dedicated portal with step-by-step instructions that were easy to follow.

“All criteria are explained in detail and efficiently categorised with related topics. The attachments section is very useful to have a complete list of all uploaded documents and link them to each question,” said Jayda.

Taking steps towards a better sustainability score is a priority for the organisation and using the recommended guidance will ensure their continued growth.

Applying for the scorecard gave Lord Somers Camp the opportunity to reflect on current practices in a more deliberate and focused way.

Jayda explained, “The scorecard revealed we were operating sustainably within so many areas of our business already, and the simplicity of the Coach’s Remarks gave easy to follow guidance for further action and education. It was interesting to see the importance placed on not only our specific environmental impact but also on any linked external sustainability efforts too. The program naturally encourages engagement and a desire for continuous improvement.”

To continue their sustainability journey, they aim to focus on one ‘not achieved’ criteria per month to regularly review and improve their sustainable practices.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and sharing the journey with the many hundreds of members in our organisation,” shared Jayda.

Today, Lord Somers Camps facilitate twenty-two personal and community development programs each year with lord Somers’ original goal of creating a more inclusive and friendly society.

Find out more about the camps facilities, programs and activities here: https://www.lordsomerscamp.com/

Lord Somers Camp completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 31 October 2023 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.

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