PROGRAMS

CULTURE CAMP

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ABOUT

Culture Camp

The Returning invites you back to Country for four nights and five days to gather around the fire with Indigenous and non-Indigenous brothers and sisters, listening, learning and finding our unified story on this land.

Led by a team of Indigenous cultural facilitators, we invite you to experience culture in an intergenerational community setting. Surrounded by a beautiful creek, at the base of the mountain range, this is a culturally-safe and trauma informed space to regain and reclaim time with your self, your community, your culture and Country.

Culture Camp is a family friendly event and we encourage you to bring your jarjumere so we can all learn together.

In 2025 we are running six Culture Camps throughout the year. Some of these camps are in collaboration with other organisations and plan to cover particular community needs through a cultural lens.

Some camps are for Indigenous people and certain community members only. Please reach out if you’re unsure which camp is right for you.

Upcoming Culture Camps Mob Only:

April 28th-2nd, 2025
Bundjalung Language Camp
September 1-5th, 2025
Jugan Alliance X The Returning Cultural Camp

Apply for a Scholarship

Upcoming Culture Camps for Everyone:

August 11th-15th, 2025 (This camp is for Adults + Babies in arms only)
PLAN C X The Returning Disaster Resilience and Relief Camp
This camp consists of a five-day camp providing participants with a comprehensive range of disaster resilience skills, including emotional, social, and practical competencies, in partnership with Plan C. By integrating cultural knowledge with practical disaster preparedness skills, the camps will provide an opportunity for two-way learning in the community – an opportunity for Indigenous participants to gain access to skills and training not widely available to them, and for non-Indigenous participants to learn how Indigenous cultural ways of being and doing can increase community resilience
October 13th-17th, 2025 (This camp is for Adults + Babies in arms only)
PLAN C X The Returning Disaster Resilience and Relief Camp
December 1st -5th, 2025
Tickets available soon

Tickets

As a ticket holder, your investment contributes to providing scholarship positions for aspiring young Indigenous leaders and mentors in our local community to access a safe healing space and to return to Country.

We encourage Indigenous people to apply for a scholarship position.

The 2025 Culture Camp program is supported by Healthy North Coast, Patagonia, NSW Government and
The Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

- 4 nights accommodation at Midginbil Eco Retreat (various options to suit different budgets)
- 5 days of Indigenous-led workshops and activities
- Three organic and local meals each day (meat and diary all organic)
- Men's and Women's Circles
- Bunyarabugalma Indigenous Yoga
- Native Pigment Dying with Belle Budden
- Clay Play with Rubyrose Bancroft
- Fireside stories with Uncle Mark Cora
- Live Performances
- Weaving with Kylie Caldwell
- Somatics with Country with Kirilly Dawn
- Dance with waangenga Blanco
- Honouring the Sacred with Ella Noah Bancroft
- Free time to experience and connect with Country, swim in the creek, walk through the trees, or lie on the earth
Midginbil Eco Resort
The property boasts a spectacular 400 acres, with views out to the escarpments of the heritage listed “Night Cap” National Park. Surrounded by lush, green sub-tropical rainforest.
Midjinbil Eco Retreat are committed to preserving our environment & minimising their impact on the planet, not just for us, but for future generations.
252 Midginbil Rd, Midginbil NSW 2484, Australia.
We hope this list supports you as a guide when you are packing.
- Water bottles (filtered water tanks are available for refills)
- Hat
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Warm jacket/beanies/socks
- Walking shoes (if you choose)
- Small tarp or blanket and cushion to sit on
- Enough clothes for the 4 nights/5 days
- Swimmers
- Towel or sarong
- Torch and spare batteries
- Natural sunscreen and mosquito repellent
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Journal and pen
- Bowl, plate, cutlery & mug
Please note that this is a waste-free event. We encourage you to minimise waste where possible and to bring your own bowl, plate, cutlery and mug. Dishwashing facilities are provided.
Workshops and activities will be held outside so prepare to be sitting on Country exposed to the elements.
1. Plan ahead and prepare
  Please bring a cup, cutlery, a water bottle and a plate and we ask that no packaged goods or plastic water bottles come on site.
2. Respect wildlife
  Do not harass wildlife. Remember, The Gathering is not a place for dogs or other pets. Please be careful while driving to the event and while you are on sacred land.
3. Car Pool
  We are gathering in a natural environment and we encourage all who can to carpool to the event to minimise our environmental impact.
4. Bubs and little ones
  We encourage you to bring your jarjumere with you. All children must have the appropriate ticket purchased for them.
We believe in breaking down barriers that cause inequality and creating inclusive spaces. If you have have specific accessibility needs, please reach out to us so that we can make sure that you are adequately cared for at Culture Camp.
We offer scholarship positions for Indigenous people to all of our programs. We also offer scholarship positions for Cyclone/Flood affected people to our 2025 Plan C Disaster Resilience + Relief Camp.
Head to this link to find out more information.

Scholarships
Camping
The campground is a beautiful grassy site, surrounded by a lush, green landscape, along a meandering creek. Unpowered sites, no sullage or water. Access to camp amenities which include shared toilets and showers

Solo Glamping (Queen Bed)
Boho style camping experience, with solar power light, fan & USB port. Queen bed with linen & towels provided. Guests staying in the tents have access to camp amenities which include shared toilets and showers Set amongst the beautiful landscape of greenery & wildlife.

Twin Glamping (Queen Bed)
Boho style camping experience, with solar power light, fan & USB port. Queen bed with linen & towels provided. Guests staying in the tents have access to camp amenities which include shared toilets and showers Set amongst the beautiful landscape of greenery & wildlife.

Solo Deluxe Safari (Queen Bed + en suite)
Experience glamping in the safari tent, the accomdation is seperate from the camp, allowing for time to go deep into the silence of the natural world around us. Each cabin has a queen bed, ensuite, power & decks with amazing views of the valley. All linen supplied.
This accommodation is located away from the camp site, about 10 minutes walking distance, up a steep hill.

Twin Deluxe Safari (Queen Bed + en suite)
Experience glamping in the safari tent, the accomdation is seperate from the camp, allowing for time to go deep into the silence of the natural world around us. Each cabin has a queen bed, ensuite, power & decks with amazing views of the valley. All linen supplied.
This accommodation is located away from the camp site, about 10 minutes walking distance, up a steep hill.

Note: Cars can be driven to all accommodation options
Before checking out, you will be asked to read and agree to the following:
- Code of Conduct Principles of Participation
- ICIP Workshop Participation Deed
If you have any questions please contact us.