YEAR 7

YEAR 7 SUMMIT CAMP

This week, on Monday the 20th of February, the Year Sevens went to The Summit camp, located on 21 Cemetery Rd, Trafalgar East. We were required to arrive at school at around 9:30 but the buses arrived around 10:00. My class 7G went on the bus with 7H which I was disappointed by as most of my friends are in 7F, but the bus ride was only an hour and a half which was better than I expected and the scenery was gorgeous. 

When we arrived at camp we headed to our cabins and tents to get settled in and ate our lunch, then met up in The Lodge where we got told about how our day would work and where to meet up. We then began our activities.

We did lots of activities including a leap of faith which was terrifying but fun. My two favourite activities would have to be the Flying Fox and the Monster Course. The Flying Fox had amazing views of the lake as it went right over it, and it also challenged me because I am very scared of heights and I didn’t trust the rope, but I’m glad I did it because it was an amazing experience. I loved the Monster Course because it was a great teamworking activities and I got know my activity group much better, I had a lot of fun doing the swimming activities and surprised myself with how strong I was, but the mud pools were a little gross. I also loved how the activity directors kept us occupied by playing songs like the Macarena and Cotton Eye Joe and taught us the dances to them as well. We also cheered on the other teams in the Monster Course.

The thing that challenged me most would be The Summit Window or the High Wire as both of those were high up and I am scared of heights, as I mentioned before. The Summit Window was probably the hardest as it was 18 metres high, and the tower was wobbly. I am glad I did it though as the view was great.

At the end of the last activity on the last day we all had to vote for the person who we thought had demonstrated the 5 values of camp the best in our activity groups, and I got picked for my group, The Go Getters, so I got to ride in a WW2 tank! Me and the other 11 people who got chosen went in groups of 4 and we rode around a small circular track, then we got to go over a car! The car was already very crushed but it was still and unforgettable experience.

On the way back everyone was very quiet and lots of people fell asleep, me included. I’m glad I tried everything, and I left with no regrets. The next day we had a class of 6 people because everyone was tired, but I can say that The Summit Camp was an amazing experience and one I would gladly do again.

Kaya 7G

The Summit Reflection

It was 9:20am on Monday the 20th of February 2023.  I arrived at Mount Eliza Secondary College ready for an action-packed day, on the bus and arriving at camp!

 The buses eventually arrived, and everyone placed their bags underneath the bus and we were ready to go! Logan and I found our seats on the bus and the journey began. We occupied our time by chatting about how good the Summit would be and other topics of interest.  We arrived one and a half hours later at the Summit adventure camp in Trafalgar.   

DAY 2. My first favourite activity was the giant swing! We had to walk across to the massive cyan coloured metal giant swing. At first, I looked up and it appeared nearly as tall as a skyscraper. We sat down in this little hub and our instructor Tim gave us a quick debrief about how it works and informed us that we were looking at the highest giant swing in Victoria, standing at 22.5 metres up in the sky. A couple of teammates were fearless enough and tightened their harnesses, already good to go. After watching them and a few others go on the nerves started, it was finally our turn! Frightened but ready we strapped our harnesses on and we hesitantly walked over to get buckled on. Tim clipped on the harnesses, and there we were sitting in our harnesses and in a few seconds, we would be flying up to the top of this beast. The team below pulled a thick rope which steadily and slowly took us to top. Logan and I elevated up eventually reaching the maximum height of 22.5 metres up in the sky looking over the treetops. Finally, we were up amongst the trees, not even considering looking down the team below gave us an energetic countdown. On one Logan pulled a red rope which made us drop insanely fast and feeling the air fly past your face then slowing down and swinging back and forth. It was so exhilarating going to the top and truly a great out of my comfort-zone experience.

The second-best activity would have to be the Mud Run otherwise known to the staff as the Monster Challenge. Consisting of have games to complete as a team and race across a variety of different obstacles all around the camp, and whoever improves their time the most on the second lap wins. During this event we had to carry 3 tyres all the way around the course through all different types of muddy obstacles. My team the Orangutangs significantly improved their time on the second lap, and we won the Mud Run. This activity was tyring and involved lots of teamwork and you had to think fast.

For me camp was a good experience because it pushes you to your limits. It was great being able to do activities that involved heights. It was an all-round great experience and I’m glad I went.    -Jagger 7G

THE 5 Keys of the summit camp

 At the summit camp they had 5 keys which were rules to follow whilst staying at the camp. 

 1- Have Fun, life is short, time flies by especially when you are in camp . But use the time that you have, to make new memories, friends and just enjoy the moment you are in. No matter what the situation. 

 2- Play all in, just give it a go. Do the best of your abilities because why not? Give it all you’ve got! 

 3- Get comfortable being uncomfortable, when you are out of your comfort zone, that is the time that you find what you really love! Sometimes a little risk can be worth the journey and the prize! 

 4- Make lots of mistakes, without mistakes you would never learn, and learning is an opportunity that we get given to be creative and academic thinkers. 

  5- Don’t go home wondering… What if? Ask for help when you need it, don't make decisions that you are going to regret, just have a go! There is no need for regrets when you do the best you can and enjoy every part of it. 

 In the end we can use these keys every day for a good impact on us and others around us. 

 Maisie Walker 7A

YEAR 7 AFTERNOON TEA