FOUR students from Bendigo South East College learned how to speed read, solve problems and work in a team last week at Green SuperCamp Australia.
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The four students were sponsored by owner of BLS Financial owner Adam Mackenzie.
Mr Mackenzie has contributed $250,000 toward the program to sponsor local kids to take part over the next five years.
He said he personally struggled at school and would have benefited from a camp like this when he was a teen.
"I like that the camp helps embrace different learning types," he said.
"I think it's giving these kids an opportunity ... kids that would not necessarily get to go to a camp like this."
He said some of the kids that went through the program had contacted him for career and life advice after completing it.
"We've sat down with the families ... and been able to give them some guidance about the work environment," he said.
The program has been running in Australia for two years and it teaches children a whole host of life skills.
Green SuperCamp International director Heather Yelland said the program helped children identify the ways they learn best.
She said a wide range of students took part in the camps - from those who were excelling at school to young people who are disengaged.
"We've got the full range of kids - from those who are doing well but an edge right through to kids who are struggling to stay engaged in school and in some cases with their families," she said.
The program runs several camps a year, including two in Indonesia in the June and July holidays.
The latest camp took place from April 10 to 19 in Cave Hill Creek, Beaufort and was for students aged 14 to 17.
Ms Yelland said 65 Victorian children participated in the camp.
Upon completion of the camp, the students were visited by camp ambassador and rising cricket star Trent Lawford.