Cooinda Retreats is a beautiful retreat, bunkhouse or tented camp experience for schools and community groups.
Primary and Secondary School groups, community groups, and people that gather to learn, come to Cooinda Retreats to enjoy a fully- or self-catered camp experience. We also provide quality programs, along with volunteer opportunities, to help strengthen communities.
A great camp experience builds independence, enhances social skills, supports positive decision making and creates environmental awareness. By booking your next camp with us, or attending one of our many camping programs, an inclusive, innovative and sustainable experience awaits.
Our Vision
Purpose
To strengthen a diverse and inclusive community through service, while providing opportunities for individuals to participate in ways they choose.
Vision
A connected community where members come together and participate in the support of one another through friendship and service.
Mission
Cooinda Retreats is committed to providing inclusive, innovative, and sustainable programs and services that support the social, recreational, and wellbeing needs of individuals and communities.
Our Values
Participation
Active service that is inclusive and valuing of an individual’s ability.
Innovation
Adopting new methods to address community needs.
Partnerships
Collaborations to advance our shared interests.
Connectedness
Engagement through positive and strong relationships, strengthened through diversity.
Sustainability
Relevant, appropriate and viable for the future.
Integrity
Upholding of high standards in all our actions.
Progression
Adapting with a proactive approach to change and opportunity.
Reverance
Cherishing, respecting and acknowledging our Toc H history and those who served before us.
What does Cooinda mean?
Cooinda is an Aboriginal word meaning 'Happy Place'
Cooinda Retreats is positioned with coastal views of Victor Harbor; the pristine sea surrounded by beautiful native bushlands and wildlife. That’s why we call it:
Executive Staff
Adam Hooper
Executive Director
Rebecca Butler
Executive Director
Board Members
Michael Thomas
Chairperson & Treasurer
Rebecca Butler
Secretary
Adam Hooper
Board Member
Taylor Petty
Board Member
Christine Thomas
Board Member
Cooinda Retreats is an initiative of Toc H South Australia Inc, established in 1925.
In 1925, Toc H opened its first Australian branches with the first Youth Camp held at Mannum in 1928. Toc H also pioneered community projects such as the Blood Transfusion Service in 1928 (now run by the Red Cross) and The Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme in 1935 (now known as BushKids).
In 1938, Edward Bruce (brother of Adelaide Lord Mayor Sir Wallace Bruce), heard of the work Toc H, volunteers were performing with children in need. Mr Bruce donated several acres of land at Victor Harbor to Toc H, to be used for the establishment of a permanent campsite. Plans for the main hall and a layout for the surrounding area were drawn up by Sir James Irwin. The main hall was named for the Governor of South Australia at the time, Sir Winston Dugan.
For some eighty years since, Cooinda Retreats has been running camps for children in need at the Victor Harbor campsite.
Today, our focus is on enhancing the lives of our community through camps.
Strategic Intent
Cooinda Retreats has been strengthening communities since 1925. Enhancing lives through camps, it’s in our nature.
For over 90 years, we have been strengthening communities through service. Our strategic development continues this focus through transformational services and corporate success, having two important meanings for us.
Firstly, we are strengthening and supporting our communities through our service, helping those in need.
Secondly, we are building our own community of diverse people, united by a common mission of service to those in need.
There are two inter-related parts of Cooinda Retreats that work in cooperation to help us strengthen communities:
- Community-driven service; and
- Socially responsible enterprise.
Our service is driven by communities – our communities of volunteers and the communities that we help. In many cases, these two groups are the same, which ensures that we are working with, and for, the best interests of all.
Our commitment to our communities extends to our business enterprises, which are run on the core principle of social responsibility. Our business not only supports and enables our community services, but it is a natural extension of those services.
We welcome you to Cooinda Retreats and together we look forward to enhancing the lives of our community through camps.
