The many dusty miles travelled from cattle stations to Charters Towers last week was worth every kilometre for the school children who took part in the annual Fit 4 Rural Futures sports camp.
Charters Towers Isolated Children's Parents' Association members once again worked their magic to present a week-long mix of sport and art on site at Columba Catholic College's Mt Carmel campus.
They included astronomy workshops for the older groups at Blackheath and Thornburgh College this year, plus evening movies, a PCYC disco, and Minute-to-Win-it challenges.
They lined up beside the sporting favourites of swimming, mini acrobatics, dance, rugby, swimming, tennis, athletics and cricket.
Branch president Sue-Ann Jones said the annual camp had always been about providing sporting and extra-curricular opportunities to isolated kids and families that they would otherwise never get to experience.
"It also provides a rare chance for families to connect on a social and personal level, which helps to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of the bush community," she said.
It wasn't just children who got to enjoy unique and valuable experiences: carers and parents had the opportunity to participate in wellbeing workshops and other self-care activities, such as massage, laughing yoga, nutrition workshops and psychology sessions.
Ms Jones said that as with the success of past ICPA sports camps, the opportunities for this year's participating kids would not have been possible if not for the overwhelming support of the local community sponsors and volunteers.
Related: Towers ICPA kids fit for the future