‘Togetherness in vulnerability’: Ballarat camp a weekend of intensity, emotion and devotion

More than 40 children, junior youth and adults from Ballarat in regional Victoria have ventured on a four hour round trip to attend a weekend community camp aimed at strengthening friendships and furthering everyone’s understanding of the Baha’i community-building process. 

The camp, held at the Mount Morton Baha’i Centre of Learning, started off with a study of the 19 March 2025 message from the international governing body of the Baha’i Faith, the Universal House of Justice, about marriage and family life, setting the scene for a weekend where everyone could reflect on the impact each household has on the advancement of society.

The camp also included spaces for exploration on topics including building fortified families and communities through consultation, living in harmony, spiritual and material education, and the reconceptualisation for sustaining society. 

The junior youth, aged between the ages of 12 and 15, had their own space to delve into how these concepts informed their daily habits and actions. One junior youth reflected that the camp helped participants come closer together. 

“[It] was really fun and interactive, and everyone there was so nice,” she said. “It was really good to do it intensively and I felt the information that we learned stuck with me more.”

Special programs for the children included arts, crafts and lessons based on the history of the Faith and the Twin Holy Figures, complementing the previous week’s Twin Holy Day celebrations – the births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah.

The program also allowed time for music, recreation, free time, and spiritual conversations, creating space to strengthen bonds of friendship and generate unity. The Baha’is in Iran, who have been the targets of attacks and raids in recent days, were also called to mind during morning prayers. “Remembering these friends during the camp reminded us that we must put in every effort to work together for the advancement of our communities in the name of those who cannot,” one friend reflected.

Those who attended the camp have been participating in the community-building process unfolding at the Delacombe Hub. The Hub was first launched almost 10 years ago after a group of families identified a need to address the moral and spiritual educational needs of their children. Since initiating these Baha’i community-building activities, the Hub has expanded to embrace an increasing number of individuals from the local neighbourhood and surrounding suburbs who have a desire to contribute to the advancement of their society using the Baha’i teachings as the driving force. 

One friend, who had not attended a Baha’i-inspired space before, reflected that the camp “was so lovely, it was hard to leave.” 

Another remarked that the community needed to organise the camp every year and invite “more hubs” to come along.

Another friend said it was the intimate moments of togetherness in vulnerability that will stay with her. 

“I remember walking into the hall on night one, where these beautiful Baha’i artworks hang, just utterly speechless. I’m walking around snapping photo after photo, almost tearing up, when I suggest that we must pray here, now.  

“Everyone gathers in, the children are praying from their heart and adults have their eyes closed. I can’t explain this feeling. It was a confirmation of why we’re doing this, and we need to keep going.  

 “All in the middle of this beautiful place, night and day, experiencing these same beautiful moments of prayer and love – I don’t think it will ever leave me. Every aspect of the camp was magic – even the tiredness we felt, even the leeches! I know I will never forget this weekend, and I know my kids won’t, either.”