On the 26th of February, we went out to Orton Bradley Park for our year 8 camp. Today we are writing about our time there. We experienced a wonderful 3 days away from school/home that we will remember for a long time.
In the three days, we did a total of 6 activities which were all very different and exciting. We had 6 fabulous parent helpers who helped us throughout this camp and helped with transport, cooking activities and many more. The food we experienced was delicious, and everyone was very grateful for the time Mr Laing and others took to make it. What made it even more fun was the time we spent with our friends and how much freedom we got. Overall this camp will be one to remember and we are forever grateful we got to experience an amazing three days.
1st day.
To start camp, we arrived at school with all our gear ready to set off on our trip, which we had been waiting for since year 7. We arrived at school and got on the bus with all our stuff loaded on ready for the next 3 days. When we arrived we set aside our gear. Then, we got into our groups and prepared for a few fun games. The two groups went to different activities which were : A couple of team building activities, a game called camouflage and hut building in the bush. After we had done our first activity, we swapped over and got to try the next one.
Then we split into activity groups and set off on our amazing bush walk. With full tummies and clearer heads, we walked up to the waterfall’s stop! We could stand under the waterfall when we got there and completely soaked in the cold water. I thought this was a really fun thing to do even though it was freezing. It was refreshing, and I enjoyed doing this with my friends, When our fun time was up at the waterfall we headed back down to camp to set up our tents and filled our drink bottles with some yummy raro. The boys and girls had different areas to set up our tents. So we split up and picked the sites for our tents, after the tents were all set up we had a lot of free time, and then our delicious dinner was ready. Our dinner was hamburgers or a sausage sizzle. For dessert, we had either chocolate cake or brownies with cream. I thought this was delicious and tasted super good. After this, with our food settled in our full tummies, we learned about the game we were playing that night. The game was called Smugglers Run and was one of the funnest things we did. After this game, we were all super knackered and headed to bed, ready for the next day’s fun activities.
2nd day.
Icy waters, tossing and turning paddles, ocean bumper cars, kayaking. On our second day at Orton Bradley Park, we got to do several water-based activities, including kayaking. We shoved our small boats down the rocks and into the clear water. Gravel crunching beneath our feet, tiny yelps of fear clambering into the seat with water seeping in. A grunt of pain can be heard as someone gets hit in the face with an oar. Spoiler alert: that was me; I hit a friend in the face… Sorry! Scooping the water up, our paddles collided with the water peacefully but strongly. We pushed through the water as a group, banging into each other occasionally. SPLASH! Man overboard, I repeat, man overboard! The paddle slipped away as the unlucky, now wet, person struggled to get back into their kayak. With a heave and a roll, everything is okay.
Coasteering is one of the activities some of us are most nervous about. Peering down at the dark, deep blue water, taking a leap of faith. Springing off the cool, hard rocks and catapulting into the water. I was so stunned that I struggled to catch my breath by bursting up from the sea. Cheering erupted; it felt good to be supported. A smile spreads across my face. Accomplishment filled my mind, blue water filling my wetsuit, and shivers everywhere. Good shivers, the kind that comes after an achievement. I remember supporting my friends in pushing their limits, and they did! Jumping off rocks they usually wouldn’t have. Wet and dripping, the long, steep walk back with the sun smiling down on us felt like a movie ending. Everybody feels good, happy endings and grinning ear to ear.
Searching for crabs, the slimy brown seaweed, ropes, tyres and paddles, rafting!! As Tim shouts “GO”, we race to get all our resources to build our sturdy rafts. Some teams stuck to a plan, others went wild, and rafts were built either way. And all resources used. Cheering on our teammates to get the longest piece of rope or to snatch the last oar. Eventually, the last tyre was taken, and the timer began. Working together as a team to build it in time, rushing and unassigned leaders taking control. Some float tests and… Tada! A beautiful raft that deserves to win. Team members took paddles; others got into a pushing position. A loud screech of the whistle and the race has started! Splashing, yelling, water in the face. Nothing mattered more than that win. While we raced against the clock, we paddled as fast as we all possibly could to get to the finish line, all hoping to achieve that win. I loved raft building even when we lost.
We had some very heated competitions with volleyball, often against the boys and girls. ( girls obviously played better ) The low-setting sun glaring against your eyes made it a challenge. We had people jumping up and slamming the ball down, and people down back hit it over if the ball went too far. There were some balls to the head, but it always followed with a friendly apology. It also added to the fun when the parent helpers got involved and played. Sometimes they forgot their strength, but they helped us enjoy the game even more. Stinging arms and ringing ears didn’t stop the competitive energy between kids and adults, boys and girls, the two teams. Friends begging each other to play and give it a go was all I heard. Volleyball was a highlight for many kids, and others liked watching it.
3rd day.
To lift the moods of some grumpy faces who had a late night! Peter, one of our parent helpers, went around in a chicken costume blasting chicken sounds! After everyone relentlessly got out of bed we had breakfast just like the day before. The girls set out for high ropes while the boys took down their tents and packed away all their stuff. After 2 hours, we switched over and got to have lunch! And also a lot more free time. We packed up and went on the hot bus to get home.
Written by Abi, Emmi, Emmy, and Paige
