Alpine Camp

VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies – Alpine Experience

Students in Mr Archibald and Mr McMahon’s Year 10 Outdoor & Environmental Studies classes made the long awaited trip up to the Bogong High Plains to experience one of Victoria’s greatest Alpine environments. For many students, this was their first proper camping experience. Students were excited, but nervous as they knew it would be something that they had quite experiences before. The four-and-a-half-hour trip would not dampen their spirits as Gese Latu, Preet Kumar and Julie Peterson - Aumua sung tunes to their hearts content. 

On Wednesday afternoon, students spent time visiting the Falls Creek resort which allowed for them to develop an understanding of how this Alpine environment is experienced during the warmer and cooler months of the year. As the busses made their way down the Rocky Valley Road to the Pretty Valley Campsite, the students were becoming well aware that it wasn’t going to be your ordinary school camp. 

Students relished the opportunity to cook their own meals, although some are still developing their washing up skills, their culinary creations included, butter chicken, burgers, pastas, stir-fry’s and even the prized steak. A high bar has definitely been set for the remainder of the year and staff are looking forward to what creations are in the works for the next camp. 

The nights may have been cold (around 3 degrees Celsius) and the walk under the stars to the drop toilet lonely, but this was not their greatest challenge. The following day (Thursday) consisted of a twenty-kilometre hike along some famous trails that spread all throughout the high plains, and over various terrains which at times tested the group in many ways. Physically, socially and emotionally, the hike symbolised in many ways what was in store for the students over the next few years. There were aches and pains but at no point did the students give up. They would keep pacing, offer to carry each other’s bags and share the walking sticks that they would find along the way. Even when the hike was finished, the group would continue to demonstrate this amazing amount of teamwork and behaviours throughout the remainder of the trip. It was these moments that made Mrs Buya, Mr Archibald and Mr McMahon proud teachers.

On Friday morning after setting off for our long trip back to the college, the students suddenly realised that one of our staff members was celebrating their birthday. The students were very quick at planning a surprise for Mr McMahon and this came in the form of quick trip to the shops in Myrtleford to then buy a cake and candles. While stopping for lunch in Glenrowan, both classes surprised Mr McMahon with his cake and their own rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. This was appreciated by all staff members and turned out to be a great way to end our three days up in Victoria’s high country.

On a final note, camps are back in 2022 and the VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies students couldn’t be more excited to attend another two later in the year.

OES tip #1

Cooking a meal at home and then freezing a portion days before camp allows students to then eat a fresh home cooked meal on the first night. Simply take out the frozen portion the morning of the camp, wrap it in a tea towel, place it in your pack and it will naturally defrost over the day. This saves time in having to prepare ingredients while at camp and reduces overall cooking time.