The power of four paws at the You Yangs
July 22, 2026
Building resilience, confidence and teamwork is a key part of Cottage by the Sea's REEF program, and our recent rock-climbing adventure at the You Yangs Regional Park was the perfect opportunity for participants to put these skills into practice.
Standing at the base of the towering granite walls, some participants were excited to get begin, while others were taking on the challenge for the very first time. Waiting to greet them was Sunny, Geelong Adventure Specialist’s much-loved therapy dog.
With encouragement from their peers below, participants climbed higher with every move, communicating, problem-solving and pushing through their nerves. Reaching the top brought a well-earned sense of achievement, along with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
“Camp is really fun and I enjoy being here.”
REEF participant
After the climb, participants abseiled back to the ground where Sunny was waiting ready to celebrate each accomplishment with a wagging tail and plenty of encouragement.
One participant summed up the experience simply:
“Camp is really fun and I enjoy being here.”
More than just a day of climbing, the adventure challenged our Reefies to trust themselves, support one another and discover what they can achieve when they step outside their comfort zone.